Malaysia’s landscape inspires Venezuelan artist to bring artwork alive

CYBERJAYA: The breathtaking Malaysian landscape has inspired a young Venezuelan visual artist, Oscar Olivares, to produce more digital paintings with illustrations that bring alive the real texture of its uniqueness.

The 21-year-old who arrived in Malaysia on Sept 7, has described his 24-hour flight to a beautiful country had created more ideas and designs for his extraordinary artwork including paintings and drawings.

“I have fallen in love with Kuala Lumpur, which has inspired me and gave me ideas of urban designing, it’s multi- society, culture and the friendly people. I have travelled extensively and it is worth the trip as it had captivated my mine.

“I was taken aback by the Malaysian hospitality and wanted to share my experience. Whatcouldhavebeenabetterway than portraying them on canvas. So, I drew the mersmerising Twin Towers with an amazing greenery garden to be presented to Limkokwing University,” he told reporters when met at the university here yesterday.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Olivares will feature his 63 paintings using a mixture of digital paintings with illustrations that will be showcased through an exhibition entitled Awaken The Hero Within at the university.

Olivares said he first gained attention as a teenager for works glorifying the country’s soccer team, and religious themes like the depictions of the Virgin Mary at the age of 11, to bring awareness to the society.

“My painting is different because it is an expression of culture. I love to create art with the Flag of Venezuela and drawing is an art symbol of hope. I use the national tricolour (yellow, blue and red) touring the country by social networking with his message that ‘ there is a hero in all of us.

“Now, my art is used throughout the Republic, leading to products like handbags, tshirts that have made our flag an everyday item that identifies us and bring thousands of people to art. After Malaysia, I will be attending a Comic Con conference in Miami,” he said, adding he has produced more than 600 drawings and paintings.

Olivares added Malaysia is the first Asia country chosen to display his mixed digital painting format artworks, and will showcase some of it at the El Maiz Venezuelan Cuisine restaurant at Menara Amplewest until Sept 25.

The limited edition paintings of 15 pieces can be bought at the restaurant from US$ 100US$ 2,000, he said, adding the paintings were also sold in 20 countries.

At the one- day workshop, Olivares provided step by step demonstration of mixed digital painting to nurture students on both individual technique and strategy, reinforcing the principles of traditional painting skills and unveiling new ways of thinking, observing and being more innovative. — Bernama