Metro

Wednesday October 28, 2009

All for old world charm

By JEREMY TAN


GROWING up in a rural area, artist Peter Liew developed a fondness for the simple lifestyle and old buildings that are now the subjects of his paintings.

A collection of his heritage-themed pieces spanning the last 30 years is currently on show at the Penang State Art Gallery in an exhibition entitled ‘The Paintings of Peter Liew — George Town & Melaka Heritage Series’.

Heritage sites from inner city George Town to Malacca have been immortalised in Liew’s unique and vibrant textured masterpieces.

"Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi" by Peter Liew.

“There’s a rich human history behind these heritage buildings.

“Old things possess sentimental value, and it’s a feeling that really touches and connects me to my childhood memories.

“All big cities of the world are similar and internationalised — there’s no unique identity behind them.

“However, heritage buildings possess a certain spirit that epitomises one’s culture and history and they should be preserved,” the Perak-born Liew said during the opening ceremony of his exhibition last Saturday.

Upon his graduation from the Malaysian Institute of Art, Liew went on to lecture at his alma mater, and has since participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, both in Malaysia and abroad.

Liew said it was vital for an artist to keep developing one’s skills through lots of practice.

“From there, an artist can express himself freely, letting his emotions and feelings guide the brush.

Liew (second left) presenting one of his pieces to guest of honour Lon (second right). With them aer Dr Tan Chee Kuan (right) and Lee Khai.

“For me, the process of painting, from the very first stroke to the very last, is the most enjoyable part of being an artist,” he added.

During the ceremony, a group of art and design students were present to glean some advice from Liew and take photographs with him.

Among them were first-year interior designing students Tan Qian Jo and Iring Yeap from KDU College who both were studiously checking out Liew’s paintings.

“We wanted to do some research and learn a thing or two about painting sceneries and textures,” Tan said.

Liew is currently setting up an art camp on a piece of sea-facing land in Balik Pulau.

He hopes the camp will create a platform for foreign artists to come over and exchange ideas with local artists to the benefit of both parties.

“Over the past 15 years, during my visits to Europe, I’ve been to many art camps.

“The friends I’ve made in those countries kept asking me when they could come to Malaysia for art camps instead.

“But I was forced to tell them we had none,” he explained.

He expected his art camp to be ready early next year.

Also present during the opening ceremony were Heritage of Malaysia Trust deputy president Lawrence Loh, Penang State Art Gallery vice chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chee Kuan and Penang Museum board member Lee Khai.

The exhibition ends on Saturday.

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