Warm feel for home
A Malaysian twist is most welcome at a Chinese ink painting exhibition.
TRADITIONAL Chinese ink paintings are usually associated with scenic landscapes such as mountains, hills, rivers, bamboo forest, pine trees or flowers. However, a group of local Chinese ink artists have given a Malaysian twist to such Chinese paintings.
They are featured at the Ink Sense Chinese Painting Group Exhibition at contemporary art space L’Atelier Rouge in Jaya One in Petaling Jaya.
Collectors and art enthusiasts can spot a distinctly Malaysian flavour in this exhibition, with some works proudly drawing inspiration from traditional kampung settings, rubber trees and batik prints.
At the show, Ng Yen Tee, 45, has four artworks based on traditional Malay wooden houses. The art teacher is one of six artists participating in this exhibition.
In her “harmony-centred” works, Ng contemplates on the idea of “home” – for a family and a multi-cultural nation.
She uses three colours in her batik designs to symbolise the three dominant races in Malaysia. She also infuses her paintings with a dark ink texture to create a strong contrast for these colours to make each painting “visually more attractive”.
“My background is W estern art but with age catching up, I had a change of heart. I wanted to learn Chinese painting,” she says.
Six years ago, she took up Chinese painting lessons from an art teacher in Klang.
Graphic designer Yon Chuk Yim, 48, feels that Chinese ink artworks need not be restricted to traditional expressions and themes.
She explores a mixture of contemporary techniques, such as colour splashes, and overlaying colours over ink.
Yon, whose mentor is Yee Sze Fook, a full time artist, likes to paint on the whim rather than follow a theme.
Veteran artist Shirley Chu Siow Eng, 67, chooses rubber trees as her theme. Through these works, she recalls her younger days when her father explained how rubber plantations provided jobs and resources for the local economy.
Born in Fujian province in China, Chu migrated with her parents to Malaysia when she was five.
Chong Buck Tee, 67, who is one of Malaysia’s foremost Chinese brush painting artists, loves to paint landscapes.
At this exhibition, his striking work, Mystic Landscape, has a refreshingly modern feel.
“My works are imaginary but based on what I have seen – either from my travels or from pictures,” says Chong, who graduated from the Malaysian Institute of Art in 1972.
Chong’s career span more than 30 years and he has won numerous awards at home and abroad. He is currently the president of the Bakti Art Centre in Ampang, and is advisor of the Selangor and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Shui-Mo Art Society.
Others taking part in the exhibition are Dr Kok Ming Fong and Karen Ng.