A close-up view of one of Victor's ink pieces titled 'Gemini’s Gaze' (archival ink on paper, 2024). Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
Jonathan Avinash Victor, an artist who works with ink, graphite and acrylic, may be familiar with art galleries, but as a relatively new name in the art scene, he carried an air of relaxed confidence at his debut solo exhibition, Genesis, which opened at Temu House in Petaling Jaya last weekend.
The 42-year-old Malaysian, now residing in Singapore, spent a decade as an avid art collector before an encounter with the late artist Jeganathan Ramachandran a few years ago inspired him to embark on his own artistic journey.
"Jeganathan saw something in me that I hadn't even realised was there," says Victor in a recent interview.
"After his persistent encouragement to attend painting classes, I finally decided to apprentice under him."
As a mentor, Jeganathan urged him to focus on the human form and its shapes in his art, inspiring him to explore their depth and complexity.
'Without colour, I’m able to focus more on shapes, shadows, form, and, most importantly, the story each piece tells,' says Victor. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
"Our time together, on some days, was less about perfecting painting techniques and more about engaging in deep conversations on the philosophy of art," he adds fondly.
Now, Victor, who left a career in corporate finance to fully embrace his passion for art, presents a striking monochromatic series of surreal artworks.
The Genesis collection at Temu House showcases a body of work that the Selangor-born Victor has been developing since 2020.
"This was also when the pandemic began, forcing everyone into isolation," he says. "It was during that time I decided to pursue art."
Though Victor has participated in group exhibitions, for Genesis, he shipped all the pieces from his studio in Singapore to Malaysia.
Visitors at Temu House walk past Victor's artworks 'Turning Point' (left) and 'Symbiotic Roots'. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
Returning to Malaysia for his debut exhibition is both thrilling and daunting, especially as the local art scene feels like uncharted territory for him.
"After a year of sharing my work mainly on social media, I found it fascinating to hear the conversations my art sparked. I don’t mind whether the feedback is positive or negative – criticism still means the artwork has moved you. This exhibition is a raw representation of myself, a side I’ve never shown before," he says.
An inward journey
To complete the Genesis series, he spent months immersed in focused concentration and creativity in the studio.
"There’s a structure to art-making if you choose to have it," explains Victor, who also completed an advanced painting course at La Salle College of the Arts in Singapore.
"I still work eight-hour days, and it took 14 months of consistent effort to bring this exhibition to life."
Victor's artwork titled 'Mechanical Harmony' (archival ink on paper, 2023). Photo: Temu House
The Genesis series showcases intricate pen drawings, with each line and curve shaded to create depth and texture.
"Without colour, I’m able to focus more on shapes, shadows, form, and, most importantly, the story each piece tells," says Victor.
His subject matter leads the viewer on an inward journey, with the lack of a focal point allowing the gaze to wander freely.
Victor's themes – ranging from religions and philosophies to Greek myths, machines, AI, and humanity – seamlessly fall into place on the canvas (paper).
"I wanted my art to be a pure distillation of my subconscious – nothing pre-planned," he explains, his hands moving around an artwork as he recalls the process.
"I often let the motives emerge as I sketch, circling around the canvas until a pattern forms that I can explore. The drawing truly dictates itself; I’m just the conduit."
A general view of Victor's solo art exhibition 'Genesis' at Temu House in Petaling Jaya. Photo: The Star/Low Lay Phon
As visitors explore the 25 artworks at Temu House, they will likely notice recurring animal motifs in Victor’s work, including the elephant, seahorse, and honey bee.
"Over time, any curved line or 'S' shape can evoke the image of an elephant's trunk," he says.
"The elephant is my favourite animal because it isn't conventionally beautiful. These soulful creatures are silent thinkers, associated with strength, wisdom, and even playfulness – qualities that deeply resonate with me."
Faces and elements of the human anatomy also blend into Victor's black-and-white landscapes, with a focus on honouring the female form, seen in powerful works like Alchemy Of Hera and Divine Female.
"I grew up surrounded by strong female role models – my grandmother, mother, and sister. Even now, my wife has become a source of strength.
"From a young age, I developed a deep respect for women. I also process my emotions about art from a woman’s perspective. While society often sees women’s sensitivity as a weakness, I view it as a strength – being attuned to those emotional cues is something I consider a positive trait," he concludes.
The Genesis exhibition is showing at Temu House in Petaling Jaya until Jan 26. The show is open on weekends only.
