In what’s to be his final ode to Malaysia, award-winning veteran journalist and celebrated author Rehman Rashid wrote in his final offering, Peninsula: “There are two ways to belong to a place. To be born there, and to die there.”
In this wonderfully muddled, lively society filled with all sorts of confusion and contradiction, this sense of belonging runs deep.
Rehman goes on to write: “We are all etched in our collective histories; all notes on staves and letters on pages; each a bit of nonsense in itself, together a story, an epic tale, music.”
The truth of the matter is simply this: What makes Malaysia inherently special is simply what she’s made up of — her vibrant people. This colourful living tapestry of many races, cultures and traditions form the living foundation of this young nation.
The richness of our heritage bears testament to us — that we do not merely co-exist with each other, but we’re constantly learning to live and work together to make this country a better place.
In the days building up to the nation’s National Day on Aug31,there’s so much to be thankful for. We make sense when we’re united. We make beautiful music and art, drawing from our collective experiences and heritage.
Malaysia is one of the great Asian success stories. Such racially diverse societies are by far and large, extremely difficult to govern, and it is to Malaysia’s enormous credit that it has combined economic growth with relative racial harmony —a feat for which it has rarely been given the credit it deserves in the west.
However, while we view diversity as a visible indication of the vibrancy of an inclusive, multicultural society — something to be celebrated and reflected throughout all levels of society. In reality, vested interests meant our society was still being governed by elites and inequality coupled with corruption soon became entrenched.
The desire to concentrate power and influence in the hands of a small circle choked the dream of a diverse, meritocratic system of social progression.
On May 9 this year however, we once again proved that we could pool our energies together where it mattered most. The fear-mongering, race politics and other divisive weapons bandied weren’t enough to defeat a nation determined to settle this matter for itself.
This was our vote, our verdict. What a parade Malaysia has seen of citizens making the most politically effective argument of all: using the ballot paper to make it clear that we — all of us who belong — have a voice. And when that voice is united across religion and race, it becomes the most powerful catalyst of change.
As Malaysia now undergoes a metamorphosis of sorts, there’s a need for creative ideas and solutions to address critical issues that have plagued the nation for too long. And these issues could use an artist’s mind, a creative question or a critical thinker to help us find our way to a healthier and just future. Artists can illuminate truth, offer transcendent experience in a far too literal world, challenge us to feel and connect us to our common humanity.
A group of artists are seeking to do just that for Galeri Prima’s and Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers’ latest offering ‘Morphosis’. In this season of new beginnings and endings, the following artists, along with their compatriots, are expressing their voice, views and thoughts about Malaysia through their featured works in this exhibition, held in conjunction with Malaysia’s National Day.
Morphosis
Where: Galeri Prima, Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, KL
When: From Aug 27 to Sept 16, 10am to 6pm daily
Call:? 03-2724 8300
Admission is free
DIMANAKAU KAU SI PUJAAN HATIKU (WHERE ARE YOU MY LOVE) AND WATASHI NO AI(MY LOVE)
For 27-year-old emerging artist Amir Amin, his beautiful ink work rendition of two pairs of male and female forms showcase an interesting detail. One pair features the forms rendered in fine Jawi script. The idea, he confides, came as a result of his own research for his degree course in Fine Arts back in 2012.
A long time ago, he explains, Malaysia and all her neighbouring countries were once known as Tanah Jawi (Jawi Land). And the people who lived in this region, regardless of race or religion, were actually called Jawi by the Arab merchants.
“In my art, I tried to emphasise that Jawi is very much a partofus. Jawi is our soul,” he explains. The anatomical figure in his work depicts the human physical form, while the Jawi calligramme is the soul, which has to be understood and not to be neglected.
“We may look different on the outside, but on the inside, we’re very much the same. The same soul of Jawi resides in us all,” muses Amir. “We are one,” he continues. “We can’t be judged by the colour of our skin, race or religion.”
May 9, he adds, showed that unity was the key element which brought forth change. “I just hope that we can carry on being united. We can’t be who we are without each other,” he says with a smile, before adding: “Terus bergabung sampai bila bila...” (Remain united forever)
MELAKA RIVER
80-year-old Cheah Yew Saik stands in front of his painting of the Melaka scenery in oil paint and smiles wistfully.
“I haven’t been painting for more than one and a half years now. I’ve found it hard to start,” he says softly, adding: “This scenery, you can’t find any more in Melaka. Everything is all gone!” The renowned painter can’t help but reminisce when he talks about his art. His past has played an important part in his body of work.
The octogenarian goes on to tell me that looking back is also important before we move forward.
“There is value in looking back at the events and experiences we’ve had in order to move forward and create a better future,” he explains.
“If things from the past aren’t addressed and remain incomplete, they can feel like an anchor around us and slow us down as we attempt to improve the situation in our country.”
His paintings record a space of time where the country had been in the past. “Things change rapidly. The scenes I’ve painted once now only exist on my canvas,” he remarks.
Do you have hope, now there’s been a huge change? I ask him. He smiles at me, before replying: “I’ve seen the country grow from pre-Independence to where it is today. There have been many changes. Malaysia has grown from strength to strength. So yes, I’ll always have hope.”
YELLOW FORCE
“I created this piece during the height of the Bersih movement back in 2015. After creating this piece, I went for the Bersih demonstration the very next morning,” says 53-year-old Ng Foo Cheong.
He tells me with a wide grin that he sat on the frontlines with his gas mask in tow. The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil) or Bersih (meaning clean in Malay) is a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) seeking to reform the electoral system in Malaysia to ensure free, clean and fair elections.
In 2007 Malaysians took to the street to call for a reform of Malaysia’s electoral processes. Subsequently, three massive rallies took place in 2010, 2012 and 2015. It’s hard for an artist to stand by and not be able to express themselves during a season where suppression was rife.
“I had so much fear inside. I was worried that I’d be hurt or arrested during the rally. But then I thought of my child, and I knew I needed to stand up for her future,” he says emotionally.
“Look at the grey areas here,” he waves his hand at the canvas. “I felt the need to make a statement in the light of what was going on in this country. People were getting disenchanted with the government and resentment, disappointment and anger were beginning to rise.”
He put his finished painting up on Facebook but later decided to take it down. “I didn’t want to get into unnecessary trouble back then,” he explains, adding softly: “I have a daughter to think about.”
The bright yellow splotches, he says, resemble hope. “Like Bersih!” he adds with a wink. Ng whose career spans for three decades, believes that hope carried people through difficult times.
“I kept this painting and let it gather dust for years,” he admits, adding: “So when this opportunity came, I contacted Henry Butchers’ Art Auctioneers and asked if I could participate in this collective. And to my excitement, the answer was yes!”
Confides Ng: “It was the right time to showcase something as radical as my piece.” So what does he hope for this country? He pauses awhile, and then replies: “I hope for good leaders, good governance and freedom of expression.” With eyes twinkling, he adds: “Especially for an artist!”
MOVEMENT SERIES
“This is my favourite painting!” declares renowned abstract artist Suzlee Ibrahim.
“It’s part of my first series called the Movement Series,” he tells me as we look at his brightly coloured artwork. “I’ve been painting this series for a decade,” he murmurs as he looks on at his art with pride. He reveals that his Movement Series was birthed from his fascination and observation of moving objects.
“For me, everything in life moves. Movement is life. Life is the journey of movement and it must continue on,” he explains. After a brief pause, he adds: “Malaysia must continue to move forward.”
The abstract is filled with swathes of colours which he points out, contain all the colours of the Jalur Gemilang. “There’s green in there” he points to the canvas, adding that the colour represents peace. “It’s very festive,” notes Suzlee, adding: “It represents how colourful Malaysia truly is, with her different races, cultures and traditions.”
“I don’t really care about politics,” he continues bluntly. “It never mattered to me who was in charge, as long as artists were taken care of, it was okay for me.” But he acknowledges that the new season that Malaysia is undergoing holds a lot of promise. “Merdeka symbolises freedom. And that’s what any artist can hope for. To be free to express ourselves without fear of repercussions,” he says, adding with a smile: “So long as we don’t break the laws and respect each other, of course!”
WHAT LOOMS
The painting is startlingly beautiful. A woman with swathes of white fabric surrounding her, seems almost ethereal and wistful.
“It’s really hard for me to express myself in words,” confesses Raimi Sani. The slight artist in black head scarf adds: “And that’s why I feel for the people whose voices can’t be heard.”
She admits to not knowing the intricacies of politics that have been keeping most of the nation enthralled over the past few months, but she has put her own spin on her thoughts of the country.
“The white is not really white. There are many shades that make up these white tones. We perceive things as white because it reflects all wavelengths of light. That’s who we are as a nation, — a single beam of light made out of many colours. I used a female figurative to represent the motherland Malaysia,” she explains shyly.
She beckons me to study the painting closer. “The white also isn’t all that pure, and there are blemishes on it. Part of the message I am trying to convey is to turn what people deem as flaws into something to be proud about,” she says emphatically.
The26-year-old artist goes on to tell me that the white also represents purity and youth. “Malaysia is still a young country at heart. There is hope for her, if she can move forward from all the issues and dramas that are currently surrounding the nation,” says Raimi, adding softly: “There’s really so much to look forward to.”