2nd Putrajaya National Watercolour Exhibition - Finally!

Remember the 2nd Putrajaya National Watercolour Exhibition 2007? It was to be originally held sometime in May but has now been confirmed for Nov 26 to Dec 14, from 11am to 6pm daily at the Annexe Gallery at the Central Market Kuala Lumpur. This note came from the organisers to this writer. Wonder when and if the 3rd (2008) event will be held.

Londoners to get a taste of Malaysian Watercolours At Malaysia Week

Next month, between 30 July and 3 August 2008, Londoners watercolour lovers will get a chance to see Malaysian watercolourists in action. Five Malaysian watercolourists - five Malays and a Chinese - will be representing the nation's aquamedia fraternity in London during the Malaysia Week, an annual cultural and arts extravaganza. There will be two venues, but the Malaysian watercolourists will be based at Potters Fields Park, Tooley Street, Southwark, London SE1. Between 10.00am and 6.00pm London time, daily, they will be showing off their works and perhaps, if time permits, even paint or two. If you love watercolour art, this is your chance to grab hold of some very good and rare work of Malaysian artists. This writer is not at liberty to release any names as all have been kept under wraps by the organisers lest it triggers unwarranted debates and ill-feelings among those not selected for the overseas event. Suffice to say, these are seasoned artists and their works have appeared in this site.

Malaysian Art Through The Ages

Iconic work in acrylic - 49 Squares by Tang Tuck Kan THE National Art Gallery is holding a SusurMasa exhibition featuring art through the ages in Malaysia. This is one of the rare opportunities to look at the history of art as well as get to know the artists and artisans who were pioneers in their own field. Watercolour Work by AJ Rahman If you are in Kuala Lumpur, check them out. Admission is free and the National Art Gallery has this time done a good job to showcase the works. Even unframed oils have been displayed behind a protective perspex board, thus barring itchy fingers from scratching the surface of these age-old work and defacing them. Pack of tigers by Chung Chen Sun I am expecially impressed by the collection of watercolour greats such as AB Ibrahim, Abdullah Ariff, AJ Rahman, and of course, the Father of Malaysian watercolour, Yong Mun Sen. Rare among the lot are those by Chang Fee Ming, Long Tien Shih, Chung Cheng Sun and Tew Nai Tong. You also get to see oils and acrylics, both impressionistic art as well as abstracts. A watercolour piece by AB Ibrahim. A rare piece by Long Tien Shih in oil

Whatever happened to the Putrajaya Watercolour Exhibition?

Someone who read about the Putrajaya Watercolour exihibition held between 5 Aug - 10 Nov 2007 last year which I highlighted in an earlier post wrote to ask me when the results will be released. I am wondering about it as well since several artists have been informed that they have won and their work would be exhibited. That notification, made by mail, came sometime in February, I was told. However, to date, I have not heard any more about it publicly. If you are one of the participants or winners, and would like to know more, perhaps you can visit their website here. Of if you have the time, call Baharuddin Aziz (Timbalan Pengarah, Jabatan Landskap, Perbadanan Putrajaya,Kompleks Perbadanan Putrajaya,24, Persiaran Perdana 62675 Putrajaya) at 03 - 8887 7138

MWO's Annual Show

The Malaysian Watercolour Organisation's annual show is a much awaited affair among watercolour lovers and this year is no exception. Being held at the NN Gallery till April 15, this year's exhibition should not be missed if you are seriously considering collecting some very good pieces from the nation's top watercolourists. For those unaccustomed, the Malaysian Watercolour Organisation is one of the most active organisations dealing in watercolour in Malaysia. Among its stable of painters include Chow Chin Chuan, Calvin Chua, Yong Look Lam, Sani Md Dom, Rafiee Abdul Rahman, and Mansor Ghazalli, among others. Under the able leadership of Tan Sri Samsuddin Osman (the patron) and Dr Wong Seng Tong (president), the members have come up with some striking works this time. Over 80 pieces works of art on a wide range of subjects, mostly striking landscapes such as fishing villages and kampung scenery, plus some townscapes have been put up by over 40 members and this year's works are extremely good. I will not spoil the fun telling you more here but will give you an peep into some in the photos below. Khoo Cheang Jin's Village Scene Wong Seng Tong's Climbing Fishing Boat Choh Kok Kheong's Approach Note: NN Gallery is located at 53A & 56 Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir. It is open from 9am-6pm (Mon-Sat) and closed on Sun and Public Holiday. For details, call Syed Nabil: (03) 4270 6588

Searching for Mekong's Source - Cheng Fee Ming's Latest Show

ABOVE: Some of the sketches Chang did Renowned watercolourist Chang Fee Ming is having an exhibition of his latest works which resulted from a four year-effort documenting the highlands of Tibet along the route of the great Mekong. This exhibition is the sequel to the Mekong 1 show held at Petronas Gallery four years ago. Currently held at the Valentine Willie Fine Art gallery in Bangsar, the exhibition titled Mekong: Exploring the Source, took the Terengganu-born Chang, 49, to the Tibet-Yunan border. Sixteen major works, (14 full-size (56 x 76cm) and two diptychs, as well as numerous sketches that he did during the journey. The show ends in April.

Blue Planet by watercolourist Yeap Tho Seng

The underwater heritage series II, 2003, watercolour, 76x114cm. Yeap Tho Seng is having a solo show entitled the Blue Planet at the NN Gallery till Jan 24. This self-taught watercolour artist is featuring a collection of works focussing on the rich marine life. The works also reflected his understanding of marine biology, culled from his 34 years of working as the resident artist at the Penang Fisheries Research Institute.

Oils by Malaysian Watercolourists

Several Malaysian artists (among them watercolourists Maamor Jantan and Choh Kok Kheong) in Singapore this weekend at the Heng Artland gallery on Orchard Road for their exhibition Passion on Canvas. The exhibition, which is from Jan 5 to 16, will showcase works by Chan Chiow Teng (曾昭承）, Tew Nai Tong （张耐冬）, Choh Kok Kheong （周国强）, Tan Thean Song （陈天送）, Low Kong Wen (刘昆文） and Maamor Jantan （马莫占丹）. Maamor with one of his works to be exhibited there.

The Long and short of portraits in watercolours

Master watercolourist Long Thien Shih was spotted drawing the portrait of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the recently concluded Asean Bazaar at the Conlay Handicraft Centre in Kuala Lumpur recently. Portraiture is considered one of the most challenging in the aqua medium but in the hands of someone as skilled as Long, the execution appeared like a breezy cruise and corrections were similarly easy as 1-2-3. The product, as you can see, is simply marvellous. (If you are interested in portraits, you may reach Long at 019-2453049)

Maamor Jantan's current work

These are Maamor Jantan's works done in watercolour. One features a fisherman returning from sea while the other features boys playing electric sparklers during a festive season. These two works will be among those on display at the Asean Art Bazaar which starts at the Conlay Handicraft Centre. Maamor, Long Thien Shih, Rafie Abdul Rahman, Sani Mat Dom, and a few others will be having an arts demonstration. The bazaar features art and craft from ASEAN. Check it out if you are in town. (To purchase Maamor's work, get in touch with 012-601-7808 (Alice Lee)

Khor Ean Ghee's Boats

I met Mr Khor Ean Ghee, formerly Malaysian, now residing in Singapore at the 1st International Art Expo Malaysia held at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur recently. Khor, in his 60s, and several other Singaporean artists were at the show, which is being held from Nov 3-7. Khor specialises in watercolour and his speciality are boats. I was attracted to Khor's works because it was reminiscent of maestro Ong Kim Seng's works, especially the light and shade features of the former. I reproduced here some of his works for you to enjoy.

Khoo Cheang Jin's solo

Nile River (watercolour 56x76cm 2006) IF you are a fan of artist Khoo Cheang Jin, you might want to know that he is having a solo exhibition at the NN Gallery in Ampang. The solo exhibition by this Penang born artist cum architect, entitled 'Spaces: Here and Now' will be held from Aug 4 till 25. As usual, you will be treated by Khoo's depiction of indigenous buildings, marketplaces and other places of historical charm which resulted from his journey to Egypt, China and his homestate Penang. Apart from Khoo's watercolours, there will also be some ink sketches in this two year collection. Khoo is a member of the Malaysian Watercolour Organization and the Penang Watercolour Society. Yellow Carpet, Angkor (watercolour 56x76cm 2007) NN gallery is located at: 53A & 56 Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir, Ampang Tel: 03-4270-6588