Khoo's 'Chasing The Sun' (oil on canvas, 2020), which is part of his 'Recent Works' exhibition at G13 Gallery in Petaling Jaya. Photo: G13
G13 Gallery is showing senior artist Khoo Sui Hoe’s latest solo exhibition titled Recent Works this month.
This exhibition, which opens today, marks Khoo's 59th solo exhibition, showcasing a lifetime of knowledge and passion as a soulful yet innovative painter, who employs masterful brush skills with each work.
The US-based Khoo, renowned for his dreamlike figures and poetic interpretations of life, is in fine form in this exhibition. His use of colour continues to evolve, fascinating audiences – young and old – with its evocative power.
"As a master colourist, Khoo continues to demonstrate exceptional command over the entire spectrum. This exhibition is a testament to his enduring creativity and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. Featuring over 15 paintings, the exhibition offers insights into his continued artistic exploration and his ability to transcend cultural and stylistic boundaries," reads the exhibition notes.
In Recent Works, Khoo draws inspiration from environmental forms such as hills, rivers, trees, and skies, creating paintings with a poetic and mysterious quality.
Born in Kedah in 1939, the artist studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (from 1959–61) in Singapore under the tutelage of pioneering Nanyang artists Cheong Soo Pieng and Georgette Chen.
Khoo's Recent Works show runs through Jan 27 at G13 Gallery.
Free admission.
More info here.
Ceramic artist Purple Ling's 'Hungry Cat' artwork is part of the 'Paramount Art A-fair' exhibition at Awegallery in Petaling Jaya. Photo: Handout
New year, new discoveries to be made in the art scene. If you’ve always wanted to own your own piece of art but couldn’t afford mainstream gallery prices, check out Petaling Jaya-based AweGallery’s first curated community-based art event, “Paramount Art A-fair”, which opens today.
The event – which run through Jan 28 – aims to make art more accessible and affordable by exhibiting works that cost less than RM5,000.
The art fair will display works by Malaysian artists made from oil, watercolour, mixed media and pottery.
Featured artists include Denis Chai Kah Yune (oil and mixed media), Francis Lee Y.K. (watercolour), Brian Tai (watercolour), Lee Wee Xian (watercolour), Gary Read (oil), Drew Funk (graffiti) and Purple Ling (pottery).
AweGallery owner Dora Ong says, “Being an artist’s daughter myself, I understand the struggles that artists face when trying to make ends meet. Through the art fair, we aim to provide a platform for young artists and collectors to connect, and hopefully liven up the art scene in Taman Paramount.”
Free admission.
More info here.
Rafiee Ghani is presenting a series of carved wood sculptures and paintings at his 'Arca Samudera' exhibition at Galeri Puteh in KL. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
Galeri Puteh is opening the year with an eye-catching show from one of Malaysia's beloved painters, who is planning something different in 2024.
From the mind that has given us amazing abstract paintings, veteran artist Rafiee Ghani, 61, is now set to exhibit a series of sculptures - nearly 40 works - for the first time ever.
Having been in the art scene for 40 years, Rafiee does not believe in the “writers block”, taking up the challenge of working with wood in this new exhibition, which opens today with a launch event at 3pm.
For Arca Samudera, Rafiee brought his sculptures to life with wood choices such as Chengal, African Mahogany, Sentang Wood, Tamarind, Acasia and Merbau. There are also over 20 paintings to accompany this sculpture series.
As you stroll through the gallery space, you will realise that the sculptures are 3D versions of his paintings. This offers Rafiee a whole new type of space to work with, as many of the sculptures have carvings both inside and outside. Visitors will be able to spend hours inspecting carving details of totem poles and other abstract designs.
Free admission.
More info here.
The exhibition 'Life: Magnified' sees ceramic artist Adil Abdul Ghani presenting a debut solo series of sculptural works inspired by nature. Photo: Zhan Art Space
Zhan Art Space is collaborating with ceramic artist Adil Abdul Ghani to introduce the soulful world of traditional Japanese Raku ceramics to art lovers.
The exhibition Life: Magnified sees Adil presenting a debut solo series of sculptural works inspired by nature. It is also the gallery's first sculpture-based exhibition.
The Japan-trained Adil first learnt about ceramic firing (with a hot kiln) 15 years ago. These ceramic sculptures follow the same Japanese technique developed back in the 1580s and are also known as art “painted by fire”, a main characteristic of Raku creation. These ceramic pieces are special due to the unpredictability of the art form’s firing technique.
Over the years, Adil has also merged the traditional Raku technique with a more contemporary finish. Life: Magnified is an overview of his artistic practise.
More info here.
A pen-based artwork seen at Syahbandi Samat's exhibition 'The Road Less Travelled' at Harta Space in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Artemis Art
It's the last weekend to take a dive into Syahbandi Samat's surreal world. The Road Less Travelled is his fifth solo exhibition, and possibly the most comprehensive survey of his career to date.
The show features 35 works, with Syahbandi's artistic tool being the simple ballpoint pen, giving rich detail to an array of fascinating and disturbing drawings.
The artworks exhibited are mostly done on canvas (with strong shading skills), while a few mixed media installations are also on display. What’s most striking about this exhibit is the different types of torture devices showcased in his works.
They are inspired by the contraptions of the SAW movie series, says Syahbandi, who uses an average of six to eight pens for each piece.
Located alongside the Habib Heritage Jewellery Museum, this exhibition is presented and co-organised by Artemis Art and Ivan Gabriel, offering a unique “playground space” for art lovers to enjoy.
Free admission exhibition.
More info here.
It's the last weekend to catch the 'Tagging Temu' group exhibition, which is inspired by street art culture and the idea of 'tagging', at Temu House in Petaling Jaya. Photo: Temu House
This group show at Temu House in Petaling Jaya presents a loose line-up of artist friends and collaborators from the street art scene and beyond in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Penang, who have come together for a thought-provoking series.
The artists include Asmoe Roc, Bibichun, Drewfunk, Ernest Zacharevic, Katun, Kenji Chai, Louise Low, Nestwo, Red Hong Yi, Sheena Liam and Sliz.
"Tagging, a graffiti slang to get your art up in as many places as possible; to also mean putting your statement out there. With Tagging Temu, we see the artists exploring their self-expressions, social commentary, and artistic creations on what matters to them as we flip the final pages of the year’s calendar," reads the exhibition's notes.
The exhibition is free admission. Open on weekends, 10am-5pm.
More info here.
A view of some of the exhibits at the 'A Journey Through Islamic Art' show at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. Photo: The Star/Daryl Goh
Here's your chance to explore Islamic art and culture, encompassing a historical and cultural journey of over 1,000 years from East Asia to West Africa, through two exhibitions held in conjunction with Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia's (IAMM) 25th anniversary celebration.
The exhibitions, A Journey Through Islamic Art and Alif Lam Ra: Contemporary Muslim Calligraphy, showcase a diverse array of historical artefacts and Islamic art.
Four royal swords from the Mughal Empire in India, dating from the 15th to the early 18th century, belonging respectively to Emperor Akbar, who reigned from 1556 to 1605, Emperor Jahangir (1605-1627), Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1666), and Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707), are among the exhibition highlights.
Also on display is the golden finial that once adorned the throne of Tipu Sultan, famously known as the Tiger of Mysore, from the Mysore Sultanate in Seringapatam, south India, during the 18th century. It is believed to have been seized by the British forces after Tipu Sultan’s defeat to the East India Company in the Anglo-Mysore War.
A set of 30 volumes of the Hui Quran from the Qing Dynasty in the 17th century is also one of IAMM’s early collections. They are adorned with Chinese motifs such as cloud patterns or peony flower buds and are written with only three to five lines on each page for each juz (part).
The Alif Lam Ra: Contemporary Muslim Calligraphy exhibition features the works of 42 contemporary Islamic calligraphers from various countries, including notable artists such as Fuad Kouichi Honda (Japan), Azra Aghighi (Iran), Charles Hossein Zenderoudi (Iran), Nja Mahdoui (Tunisia) dan Khaled Al Saai (Syria).
More info here.
