Tuesday November 3, 2009

Artist explores the intricacies and its effects

By JADE CHAN

ARTSENI Gallery founder artist Phillip Wong delves into the intricacies of the human mind and its effect on the human condition in his latest exhibition entitled The Human Mind.

Antique collector and personal friend Edwin Ooi said: “It is interesting that Phillip has chosen this rather cerebral topic but not surprising considering that contemporary art or modern art has its basis in the exploration of human emotions and conditions represented in art.”

Although the subject is the human brain, the intention is an exploration of the human mind - the very essence of what makes us human.

Wong, 41, said his latest series was inspired by nature and the environment after his trips to Dubai, South Korea, Penang and Johor this year.

Representation of how the mind functions: Wong explaining the finer details of this painting simply entitled Yellow.

“I thought I would be continuing with the organic flow and curves of my earlier Daun series; instead I found myself going back to basics by drawing lines that eventually led to me discovering the human brain.

“The inspirations were turned into sketches and studies. I also did extensive research to discover more about the brain and mind while experimenting with several medium to get the effect I wanted,” he said.

Wong combined 2D and 3D media to create a collection of small and larger scale paintings, culminating with an interactive installation piece called The Brain.

By working in that order, the viewer is introduced to Wong’s thought processes in creating this series.

The 12 pieces of small-scale paintings comprise aluminium strip figures depicting the male and female forms.

“In expressing the body movements, they highlight how the mind of each gender thinks very differently,” he said.

The 12 larger paintings, using transparent glass paint on wood, feature Wong’s illustrations of how he feels the mind functions in a more defined form.

Unique: Wong’s interpretation of Vincent Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arle which he has simplified into lines and similar colour palette.

“The squares and the boxes in the brain represent how we tend to compartmentalise and categorise our thoughts, ideas and emotions.

“I also tried painting how the mind can be very complex at times yet simplified at other times,” he said.

Among these paintings is his interpretation of Vincent Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles, which Wong has simplified into lines and similar colour palette.

Through his installation work, Wong invites the viewers to walk through a red box, which represents the heart, and think about how the heart and brain work.

“It is amazing how the heart and brain can function separately yet are interconnected spiritually,” he mused.

Coming out from the box, the viewer then decides for himself the relationship of emotions between the two brains.

Hence comes the interactive element of the installation piece where the viewer is asked to link the connections of their thoughts between the “left” and “right” side of the brain using the strings provided.

“I want to encourage the public to observe and think through art. Each individual’s contribution to The Brain is an interpretation of what they feel,” said Wong, who also has a sculpture on display at Starhill Gallery’s main entrance as part of the collection.

“This is the first of an ongoing series on the human mind. My next collection will be 31 pieces of sculptures, paintings and installation that share a common message of wisdom and understanding.”

The Human Mind exhibition is part of those featured in the Starhill Gallery Arts Festival 2009.

It is held until Friday at the Artseni Gallery’s premises at Muse Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL.

For details, call 03-2144 0782.