Art KL-itique

The Malaysian Chinese-educated community is inspired by Taiwanese perceptions of beauty, who in turn draw on Japanese culture as an influence. One experiences this particular aesthetic, during a stroll in the Pipit or Kaka craft markets (held 2-3 times a year), or when having coffee at Poco Homemade or Typica café. The current generation of this demographic are encouraged to express their fears - contradictions of life, love, and social identity, are common themes in popular books and song lyrics. Among young local artists, Siund Tan and Chong Ai Lei display traces of this sometime-saccharine sentiment; Now  Cheong Kiet Cheng has burst onto the scene, and claim this aesthetic as her own. Tree House (2012) Bright-eyed figures, cute & furry animals, and a large tree, cohabit the space in 'Tree House' like a surrealist collage. Its protagonists, assuming the artist and her muse, gaze upon past & future situations, while perching upon the branches of the Tree of ...

The Rijksmuseum is less attractive after its lengthy refurbishment, where an overwhelming Dutch pride clouds the individual brilliance within its collection. Pleasant discoveries this visit include the bright & positive depiction of a windmill by Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël , and rowdy scenes of common life by Jan Steen . Labelled questionably as a moralist, 'Mayor of Delft and his Daughter' exhibits a deft execution that cleverly embodies the themes of patronage and social landscape. Jan's more intimate paintings are equally allegorical as his famous farcical ones, but capture details in a more exacting manner. Jan Steen - The Leiden baker Arent Oostwaard and his wife Catharina Keizerswaard (1658) Stedelijk Museum has a fantastic permanent collection , that covers significant art movements from the early 20th century. Besides an insightful chronology of Kazimir Malevich's progress towards suprematism, and a well-curated room on expressionism, I seek out...

48 consecutive hours prowling the heart of Kuala Lumpur with a camera, is an experiment that sounds equal parts exhausting and crazy fun. Monochromatic photographs are typically boring, compounded here by blurry images and inconsequential pairing of objects, which relegate most exhibits to amateurish products. Shean Tan's narrative-driven compositions and Alia Zulasmin's deliberate contrasts display potential, but it is gallery director Paul Rudd that dominates this exhibition. Powerful portraits of night denizens and their environment, challenges one to visit this seedy part of KL, a curiosity stoked by the photographer's re-framing of neglected subjects. Paul Rudd - Tau Foo Fa (2013)

Since being interested in the local art scene, I have visited many galleries; Till this date, I feel that the majority of visiting experiences have been alienating. No wonder that the general public are hesitant to step foot into an art gallery. Many spaces suffer from bad lighting, its administrators feigning ignorance when probed. Notwithstanding, my biggest gripe are towards galleries that are closed during its publicised opening hours. A recent example was the "Art In Search for Words" exhibition at interpr8 gallery, which I visited 4 times (Mon/Sat/Wed/Sat afternoons) and still failed to attend! This irresponsible showing is an injustice towards the exhibiting artists, whom do not mind more people being able to appreciate their artworks. Sharon Chin - Portable Sensors: Penerbitan Haram / Banned Texts 1971 - 2012 I understand the commercial side of art, but to be asked "Are you a collector?" first thing after stepping into a gallery is demeaning, which...

Unsure how Fazli Othman's rubbish collector in orange coveralls will make one conscientious, I turn to the metallic constructs of Ahmad Fauzi for aesthetic solace. Rebars are harsh materials by association with the construction sector, but its reinforcing function affirms the solidity within these works. Visibly attractive is the 'Black Hole', an improvised exploration of the wonderful ceaseless form of a circle. 'Berhimpit' invokes the vicissitude of growth and decay; 'Benteng' is a quirky take on the fort , its small size and crimson paint questioning the relevance of such structures. A significant work in progress worth appreciating is 'Mencari', a wall installation that recalls Piet Mondrian's search for natural beauty in composition. Ahmad Fauzi - Mencari (2013)

As compared to his first solo exhibition 2 years ago, businessman Toon Hian’s works have increased in size and colour, whilst retaining a whimsical and intimate charm. Salient artistic influences include the surrealism of Salvador Dali, and Chinese ink paintings. Space plays a defining role in his aesthetic – the narrow scroll format of the “Koxinga” series projects a limited skyline, that creates depth in contrast with the subjects in its foreground. The majority of drawings isolate a scene within representational boundaries, most apparent as the sandal form observed in the quirky ‘A Tribute to Hermes’. The artist’s trademark depiction of undulating figures along a horizontal plane, are exaggerated dramatically in ‘Pilgrim to the West’, to be appreciated at the Gardens gallery's store room. Koxinga: In the Taiwan Sky; Captivated By the Aura (2013) “Thematically these works are a celebration of history, an exploration of human nature and always the autobiographical”, nar...

The irony of "What is current?" - 1 week without access to Blogger, Facebook, and many other websites. Notice board at 798 Art District, Beijing

Typica 豆原 possesses a serene ambience with its salvaged wood furniture, as industrious baristas brew the best siphon drip coffee in town. Hanging a selection of prints by Hiew Miow Yein augments the café's already down-to-earth mood. The amateur photographer captures peaceful pictures that relate to nature, mostly taken in the Netherlands where she resides. At RM 200 per print, proceeds go to supporting the Sunflower 向陽花 newspaper, a free magazine that stemmed from the anti-Lynas movement. Taking its stance in the idealised struggle, I sip a cuppa at this oasis in the Pudu desert, as the world around it condemns nature to the spoils of development. 呼吸 Breathing

Despite The Edge's best effort to promote exclusivity in its inaugural auction , or the creative offerings of paired works by KL Lifestyle Art Space, both auctions delivered underwhelming results. Local records for a few artists were smashed at the former, bold estimates helping Ahmad Shukri and Bayu Utomo Radjikin up their previous records, while Jolly Koh and Kow Leong Kiang fetched price highs due to the large format works that were not seen in previous auctions. The mood was dull and largely muted amongst a discerning crowd. Most lots had only 2 or 3 bidders, and gems by Cheah Ewe Hoon and Yeong Seak Ling were hammered down but did not sell due to unexpected issues. Same price as Ahmad Zakii's 'Vase'?  Tan Choon Ghee - Kapitan Kling Mosque (1994) At Sheraton, KL Lifestyle Art Space achieved 90% sales, but will be remembered for the non-sale of an Ibrahim Hussein and a Yusof Ghani, with pre-sale low estimates of RM 400,000 and RM 80,000 respectively. A cou...

Transfiguration is defined as "a change of form/appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state". This notion seems contradictory at first sight in Haslin Ismail's solo exhibition , where the viewer is subjected to skeletal shapes and bulbous forms. Focusing on the acts of drawing and painting in this collection, the artist displays a maturity in both subject matter and technique, departing further from the comic book fantasies that first garnered recognition. Grotesque forms are retained, together with a colouring effect that take after a nebulous yet luminous quality. Transfiguration (2013) A close examination of human body parts like bone and muscle, are apparent in paintings such as ‘Qalbu’ and ‘Contemplation’. The former with its black background sets off to expose what lies underneath the skin; The latter utilising a self-absorbing black hole that anchors the large picture in the centre. Illustrations of a machine-made man and the delirious depiction o...

The folds caught my attention in Taksu , and again in Raja Ahmad's gallery, who provided Mohd Akhir Ahmad an opportunity to showcase his considerable skill at painting fabric and pleats. Apparently not a reference to Johannes Vermeer, the budding artist's choice of a pearl earring to anchor this exhibition, is a peculiar one. In 'The Girl with Pearl Earring I', luscious folds of a lady's dress contrast with a crudely drawn rug, her pose an unmistakable reference to Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, an inspiration that the artist acknowledges. The svelte figure and a half-face are repeated in 'The Moment I See Her', marking an overly conscious attempt to fabricate mystery within his paintings. The Girl with Pearl Earring I (2013) More well-drawn but thematically boring are the depictions of pillows and blankets, where realistic textures of mundane objects, are illustrated in a manner similar to the marbles of self-taught artist Latif Maulan . It is a ...

Organising its 4th art auction in 11 months, KL Lifestyle Art Space provides a good opportunity for home owners to purchase pretty art for decorating walls. Greeting the gallery visitor is Tew Nai Tong’s ‘Harvest’, a splendid representation of Nanyang style by the recently deceased artist. Its composition extends the theme of abundance beyond the canvas, as a blue-clothed lady exits the frame to the right, and a basket of fruits is cut off at the top. Impressionistic strokes reinforce the viewer’s position in an open field, where one observes expert technique behind plants, of the blended paints that make up the main character’s shimmery dress. Tew Nai Tong - Harvest (1990) Those looking for a pair of complementing art works are spoilt for choice, with a significant amount of couple paintings on offer. The organiser capitalises on the human ego to create pressure situations for bidders, who will find it difficult to purchase one without the other. Big-name buyers can go for Y...

Spreading the good word is a most commendable act, as Galeri Chandan continues to showcase top Malaysian contemporary visual artists to an international audience, via its Kembara Jiwa program . Diversity takes precedence over any specific theme, where one gets to appreciate great quality works from relevant contemporary artists. Greeting the visitor is Juhari Said's 'Two Dalmatians and Red Line', an elaborate woodcut print of two asymmetrical dogs in profile, separated by a red tear too ideally located on its central axis. Flourishing from the ground nearby are Umibaizurah Mahir's sculptures – beautiful porcelain wares decorated with maps and stacked in her inimitable playful style. Umibaizurah Mahir - After Some Hours on The Train... Series 1 (2013) It is a delight to see Fauzulyusri’s works after the impressive "Coreng" solo exhibition , where he maintains the naiveté picture, but stays clear of politics. The usage of blue, marks an increasing awa...

Amongst the stable of artists in Richard Koh Fine Art, is the landscape master Wong Perng Fey . Executed during the artist's residency in China, the lucid colours and confident strokes in this work, imbues the abstract subject with an urgency that wakes its dormant state. Wong Perng Fey - The Palm II (2013) The re-elected Malaysian prime minister commented on a "Chinese Tsunami", after he secured another term for the ruling coalition, immediately reducing him to an imbecile governing with a minority vote. Many local artists have made politically-significant statements in the past, including Ismail Zain, whose work at NVAG I was reminded of upon hearing that seditious remark. Ismail Zain - Anak Tionghua (1967) RA Fine Arts rode the General Elections fever by organising "Mera'i Demokrasi" , an exhibition anchored by Suhaimi Fadzir's mixed media political works. The 'RAMLAN' portraits pick on a popular election prediction, pasted wi...