My Heart in The Moon @ Island Gallery, Penang.

21 April 2013

The last time we met was in Malacca, 2006

I'm glad to have met Muhammad at Island Gallery. My first Thai Muslim artist. He is regarded as an Art Ambassador of Hat Yai, Southern Thailand because he is very active in organizing group art exhibition between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. He also participated in international arts festival

As a Muslim artist, he uses the moon as his subject with various  creative expression and soothing colors. If you hang a super large painting in your bed room it's like sleeping in an open field.

Group photo with artists at Island Gallery

Everyone declare the opening of
Muhammad's solo exhibition 

My Landscape 2 @ Galeri Seni Mutiara, Penang

        

           

This is a very special exhibition for it carries a theme entitled, ‘My Landscape’.

In general term, ‘landscape' can be elaborated as scenery that we see with our eyes in a certain place thus it is considered an easy subject to handle.

However, when the word 'My' is added to become 'My Landscape', it will not just be a landscape painting anymore, in fact it needs to encompass artists’ perception and vision from within.

Our landscape paintings on the wall show differences in style, techniques, angles, perception and hidden messages.

There are ‘abstract landscape paintings' that use various colours, forms, shapes and textures to depict the artists' mind.

There are also the 'conceptual landscape paintings' that use totem as a symbol. Totem, in actual fact, is a symbol of one group. From here, we can draw inferences about an ethnic’s myths, historical records and customs. In primitive times, it was believed that certain natural objects or animate beings have blood connection with their heritage. Therefore, certain animals or plants could be used as the image or sign of the ethnic group.

There are the 'surrealistic landscape paintings' that combine reality and dream to form a soothing, romantic and enchanting panorama view.

                         

There are also the 'realistic paintings’ that showcase our nature and coastal scenes but the artists have shown their distinctive styles.

Chin Kon Yit's realistic 'country life series' has a poetic sense with its fine strokes and sombremood.

Siow Yin Yoong draws her inspirations from the primitive totems to present a graphical treatment of signs n symbols on nature. It can be termed as conceptual art.

Lim Kok Hong uses colour, form, shape and texture to speak his heart while presenting his mindscape.

Tan Yew Choong plays freely with his watery techniques to achieve flowing and very carefree landscapes.

Jason Yeoh's 'boatscapes' is a common scenery in our country side. However, the treatment of the artist has created a poetic sensation on the subject.

Koh Shim Luen's love of flora and fauna on Malaysian country life has inspired her to present a series of surrealistic paintings on her ‘The Earth Splendour’ dreamscape. 

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - SHIREEN LEE

Your World My World / Oil on Canvas / 54cm x 73

The Aquarium / Oil on Canvas / 90cm x 110

Above and Beneath The Surface #1 / Mixed Media on Paper / 57cm x 76cm

“Life experiences and growth changes one’s 

perception and widen one’s knowledge.

 More elements are going to be discovered, 

experimented and developed in my future paintings.”

Shireen Lee

For more info on Shireen Lee, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 22

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - MASS YUSOF

“However it is, at the last, it comes down to the artist himself. If he works and endeavors hard, he can make it. Anything made with earnestness and hard work surely will result in a great appreciation, and I believe in self-confidence. ”

Mass Yusof

Saling Mengenal / Acrylic / 24cm x 36cm

Aku Juara / Acrylic / 30cm x 30cm

Mencari Rezeki / Acrylic / 36cm x 48cm

For more info on Mass Yusof, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 22

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - KOAY SHAO PENG

“Throughout his 28 years of art career, Koay has trained more than five thousand students. Many of today’s young artists were his ex-students or assistants.”

Kelantan Market / Watercolour / 56cm x 38cm

Kelantan China Town / Watercolour / 56cm x 38cm

Chew Jetty / Watercolour / 41cm x 30cm

Koay Shao Peng

For more info on Koay Shao Peng, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 22

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY ART EXHIBITION 2013

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - ABDUL RASID YUSOF

In a studio near the outskirts of Ampang, there are stacked planes of nature

and tropical landscapes; glowing emeralds nestled in the residential area’s
urban order. Each canvas is a window to another place, an older time;
a capture of nature’s gentle pulse in fine brushstrokes.
This is Rasid Yusof’s own private sanctuary.

 “I’ve loved nature from the very beginning,

then I wanted to portray through art the natural

heritage that we have - I want to capture

beautiful landscapes never before

seen by others.”

Malaysian Interior I (2010), Acrylic on Canvas,  127cm x 101.6cm

Jambu Fruit Dove Couple (2011), Acrylic on Canvas, 91.4cm x 60.9cm

Take off (2011), Acrylic on Canvas, 76.2cm x 76.2 cm

For more info on Abdul Rasid Yusof, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 17

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - YONG SEOW PING

Penang-born Yong Seow Ping unveils her latest series of work

based on an artistic epiphany inspired by the Bodhi tree.

As she transitions from still lifes to abstract forms, canvas to leaves,

Yong maintains her lively palette and keen appreciation

for the litte things in life.

“The Bodhi tree conveys the classical and the symbol of

the expressive forms in art. It gives a warm, merciful and

lush vitality. The Bodhi tree also represents peace.”

Love Tree - Series 1 (2011), Oil on Canvas, 43cm x 56cm

Harvest Season (2002), Oil on Canvas, 94cm x 126cm

Food For Thoughts (2010), Oil on Canvas, 36cm x 47cm

For more info on Yong Seow Ping, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 17

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - AHMAD FAUZI ARSHAD

“I enjoy the energy and emotion of that moment

of creating. When I paint, I rarely plan, and

when I can see the flow of it, the direction the

artwork is going, that’s when it is exciting!” 

Face Series No.10, Batik and Acrylic on Canvas, 137cm x 137cm

My Garden Series (2009), Acrylic on Canvas, 121cm x 136cm

Kelapa Series (2010), Batik and Acrylic on Canvas, 122cm x 122cm

Floral blooms in a riot of vibrant colours and forms depict a paradise 
that conceals ornate butterflies and sleeping maidens, all in the fine 
nuances of batik. These are the expressions of Fauzi Arshad’s love for nature, 
and most of all,his tributes to the art of batik.

For more info on Ahmad Fauzi Arshad, buy a copy of 
ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 17

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - ADRIEN CHAN WAI LEONG

Photography for me has been a journey of discovery.

Undoubtedly it has opened my eyes to new possibilities

in art and the art of photography. Capturing timeless

images not only preserves the space of time but it also

preserves the human soul

On The Phone

Father & Son

Hmmmm.....

For more info on Adrien Chan, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 21

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - ADEPUTRA

“My opportunities for growth

were limited in comics as the

magazines were too focused on

humour, and when I created

something symbolic, it was not

well received, So I had to find a

more meaningful platform.”

Anai-anai, Mixed Media, 122cm x 122cm

Kalah Menang Belum Tentu (2010), Acrylic on Canvas, 112cm x 122cm

Dari Dalam Kepala, Mixed Media, 122cm x 122cm

For more info on Adeputra, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 21

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - FAIZAL SUHIF

Seharian di Ladang , Mixed Media on Canvas, 89cm x 143cm

“Planting is a benefit to everyone, thats the

metaphor for my art making. Why create art

to keep for yourself, we should share it. For

me, artists are not self-centered making art

for arts sake, it is one of my responsibilities

to share to viewers that we can make

something good.”

Di Bungkus (2011), Mixed Media on Canvas, 20cm x 25cm

Installation for Silent Diary

For more info on Faizal Suhif, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 21

FRIENDS OF ARTMALAYSIA - LEE LONG LOOI

A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Singapore, Lee

obtained a place to study at the New York Art Students League (MYASL) in 1969,

then at the Pratt Institute where he took up the graphics programme. In America,

Lee was ‘excited by all the art movements that flourished there... Yet, his art is

uniquely his own, often with a touch of ingenuity.’

Sweet Dream (1999), Acrylic on Canvas, 51cm x 51cm

Siblings (1972), Ink on Rice Paper, 46cm x 32cm

Blossom (2009), Acrylic on Canvas, 51 cm x 51cm

For more info on Lee Long Looi, buy a copy of ArtMalaysia Magazine Issue 19