Visitors stroll past Khaw Sia's painting 'Joget Under Chinese Lanterns' (1972) at the 'The Re-collection Project: An Exercise in Learning' exhibition at Harta Space in Ampang, Selangor. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
The Re-Collection Project: An Exercise In Learning underscores the importance of creating a dialogue between generations of artists. This exhibition features works from the late Datuk N. Parameswaran's art collection, a respected figure in preserving the legacy of Malaysia’s pioneering artists.
This unique project, which wraps up at the Harta Space gallery in Ampang, Selangor this weekend, is a collaborative effort between the art curatorial duo Dayang Aina and Simone Tait of Studio Sayang and Sharmin Parameswaran, the daughter of the former Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore.
The good news is this art project also extends beyond the current exhibition, as Studio Sayang and Sharmin are set to take it to Penang and plan to publish a book in 2025, compiling the research behind The Re-collection Project: An Exercise In Learning.
Starting the conversation
Sharmin now oversees her father’s extensive and culturally significant art collection spanning nearly 40 years, bringing his vision to life through this thoughtful exhibition – a fitting conclusion to an eventful year at Harta Space.
They have assembled an impressive line-up of artists from his collection, including Dzulkifli Buyong, Khaw Sia, and Yusof Gajah, and put them alongside today's talents like CC Kua, Syahmi Syazwin, and Ping. This pairing series seeks to bridge the gap between generations, fostering an understanding of artistic evolution.
Sharmin explains the curation of the 'Re-collection Project' during a recent walkthrough, with Amani Azlin's 'Orange Untitled' on the left and Peter Harris' 'Partners' (1955) beside her. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
“Sharmin shared a list of Malaysian artists in her collection, and we began researching their biographies,” says Tait.
“When we discovered that some of them had passed on, we felt compelled to spotlight their work, preserving the legacy of what they’ve left behind,” she adds.
Striking parallels emerged between the works of the selected modern artists and those of contemporary creators, revealing a shared dialogue across generations.
"Whether it was similarities in style, subject matter or history, we believed that there was an opportunity for learning if both were paired up – hence the title of the exhibition” says Dayang.
The exhibition features paired artists: Dzulkifli Buyong with CC Kua, Grace Selvanayagam with Nia Khalisa, Khaw Sia with Syahmi Syazwin, Peter Harris with Amani Azlin, Yong Nyean Keow with Ang Xia Yi, and Yusof Gajah with Ping. These pairings present 12 distinct artistic practices and identities, each pairing a duet of ideas, perspectives, and styles.
Dayang (left) and Tait of Studio Sayang discuss Nia Khalisa's artwork 'Ngemban (cowok) and Ngemban (cewek)', which incorporate batik motifs. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
By creating new works inspired by their predecessors, the selected present day artists offer audiences – particularly younger generations – a fresh and accessible perspective on art history and timeless themes that continue to resonate.
As part of the project, artist-sharing sessions and talks were held throughout the exhibition, using the artworks as a gateway to explore Malaysia’s cultural and artistic evolution.
A valuable resource
Sharmin hopes The Re-Collection Project: An Exercise In Learning will resonate beyond the art gallery, reaching a broader audience.
Her father's collection has proven to be a valuable resource for the Studio Sayang duo, offering insights into local artists whose stories predate the digital age and the availability of information online.
“When my dad collected artworks from these artists, he also kept other forms of documentation, such as articles and catalogues. I believe he was trying to compile these works and materials to piece together his own history,” says Sharmin.
“He was a prominent art collector in the 1980s, which meant some of the artists he collected were already advanced in age. Artists like Peter Harris, Grace Selvanayagam, and Dzulkifli Buyong had already been showcased in the 1960s. The works he acquired sparked further research and discovery, offering valuable insights for both contemporary artists and art enthusiasts,” she adds.
A view of Amani Azlin's mixed medium photo series (from left) 'Pink Is A Pair' 'Mother In Blue' and 'Orange Untitled'. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad
At The Re-Collection Project: An Exercise In Learning, visitors – young and old – can also discover the story of Peter Harris, an Englishman who played a pivotal role in Malaya's art history. He is credited with sparking the rise of art collectives through his founding of the Wednesday Art Group (WAG) in 1952.
WAG went on to nurture the local modern art movement, fostering talent and creating a more structured art scene. These gatherings, which predated the National Art Gallery, provided crucial insights, much of which were drawn from Harris' autobiography.
Studio Sayang traced their research back to the early 1950s for this exhibition at Harta Space, offering art enthusiasts a unique glimpse into what can be achieved through community-driven research outside the major art institutions.
"Many of the modern artists featured in this project were connected to WAG, and the new artists we paired them with found themselves grappling with the same questions we had. It quickly became an art history lesson for them," says Tait.
Through her father’s vast art collection, Sharmin has been able to reconnect the dots of these artists’ lives through their works.
"While I have many childhood memories of being taken to meet my dad’s artist friends, whom I’d call ‘uncles,’ this project has opened my eyes to the depth of his collection and vision. You can see why he put so much time and effort into ensuring the artworks were signed and preserved for future generations to appreciate," concludes Sharmin.
