Metro

Monday November 9, 2009

Colours of the city

By OH ING YEEN


DRAWING inspiration from her stay in Kuala Lumpur, abstract painter Barbara McKay created her own Kuala Lumpur in her first exhibition in the city, entitled The Magic Hour.

Her inspiration is derived from the weather, colour and culture in the Malaysian capital.

Village scene: McKay’s depiction of a kampong in this piece aptly entitled ‘Kampung’.

Whether it is a sultry afternoon or a cool night, she captures the magic of the different times in the city and transports it onto canvas.

Her fascination with KL started when McKay, who hails from Australia, went to Singapore in 2003 on a fellowship programme to study Peranakan culture.

“I was inspired by the colours of buildings, and I eventually went to Malacca and Kuala Lumpur,” she said at the launch of the exhibition.

Multicultural heritage: McKay was fascinated with the multicultural aspect in KL, which became the inspiration for her paintings of (from top) a Hindu temple, Chinese temple, and kampung in the city.

She has since visited Kuala Lumpur three times and made sketch book drawings of the cityscape from her son’s 11th floor apartment.

“I find Malaysia fascinating culturally, with its traditional and modern aspects,” she said.

Interestingly, however, she did not paint any of her pieces showcased in this exhibition in KL — the inspiration for her works — but back home in Australia.

“When I’m in my studio in Uralla, Australia, no one dares disturb me.

“That’s when the magic of the painted world and sketches fused together, all of these paintings just grew. It’s been a magical experience,” she said.

McKay paints with acrylic as it dries quickly, allowing her to build layers on the canvas.

From scrapers to forks to brushes and even her own fingers, she uses different tools to add textures to her art pieces.

For example, in the piece Concrete, she sticks on pieces of paper, which are akin to the surfaces of concrete buildings, to build facades of buildings.

“I even move the painting around (before the paint has dried) as well as add gel paste to create textures.

“It looks like rebuilding the city,” she said.

One of her favourite pieces is KL Night Story, featuring the KL Tower and Masjid Jamek, with the bright coloured lights illuminating the night scene.

“You can see the light coming out of the darkness. I used muted colours; it looks as if the city is floating,” she said.

»I find Malaysia fascinating culturally, with its the traditional and modern aspects« BARBARA MCKAY

She added” “Every time we see it (the paintings), it gives a different meaning. I hope to show a happier side of the city.

“It’s interesting to think where Malaysia is going in the future.”

McKay revealed that she would be taking a break to relax and travel around Malaysia. After recharging, it would be back to painting.

Guests at the launch had fun guessing which were the signature KL buildings featured in the exhibition.

“Is that the Twin Towers?” one asked.

Some of the paintings were even booked at the launch itself.

What is your magic hour?

The Magic Hour: Barbara McKay solo art exhibition at the Annexe Gallery in Central Market, KL, will run until Nov 15. Viewing times: 11am-8pm (Sunday to Thursday), 11am-9.30pm (Friday and Satur­day). Admission is free.

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