4 days ago
Artist celebrates 40-year journey at solo exhibition in KL
Ng with 'Desert Storm. — Photos: ONG SOON HIN/The Star
Ng Foo Cheong is a versatile artist, as can be seen through his many works currently on display at a solo exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.
His paintings, ceramics, sculptures and installations can be viewed at the exhibition titled 'Tempering' at Dasein Academy of Art in Jalan Kelang Lama.
Ng told StarMetro that each work had an intended message and perspective.
'I always make sure that no two works are the same.'
Having delved into art since he was 18, Ng, now 60, said he had never worked for others as having a full-time job would have 'killed' his artistic soul.
'I had a part-time job to support my full-time art hobby.
Art lovers attending the launch of 'Tempering' exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, which runs until Aug 2. — Photos: ONG SOON HIN/The Star
'I used to design T-shirts and put them up for sale at Central Market so that I could earn money to support my art career,' he said during the opening of the exhibition.
To broaden his horizons, Ng also spent time travelling.
'I travelled for one year to several countries, and my visit to New Delhi in India, gave me a lot of inspiration.
'There was an evening where I saw people, all wearing sarees, gathering on a beach.
'Some of them hung up their wet sarees to be dried, making the beach even more colourful.
'That trip established the direction of my art career and started me on my journey into two-dimensional art.'
Ng said he often experienced strong feelings when he did socially conscious artworks.
One of them is the mixed-media piece titled Where is My Hanging Gardens of Babylon?.
'The painting was inspired by the Iraq War in 2003.
The artist's ceramic bowls with 'tenmoku glaze'. — Photos: ONG SOON HIN/The Star
'I cut out newspaper reports on the war to produce it.
'The US had deployed dolphins to search for underwater mines and one of them reportedly went missing.
'It made me question why humans still engage in war when even animals leave it behind to find peace.'
Another message he wished to convey: 'No matter how beautiful a structure, it could be destroyed by greed and cruelty.'
Similar messages are reflected in two other artworks – Desert Storm and Yellow Force.
Desert Storm depicts broken families in Gaza, Palestine, while Yellow Force was inspired by Bersih 2.0, a movement to reform the electoral system.
Ceramics are also a big part of Ng's portfolio, although he stopped making them once he started delving into two-dimensional art.
He picked it up again after a 25-year break during the Covid-19 movement control order, when access to his art studio was restricted.
'I dug outside my house and collected raw materials such as coconut husks as well as the bark of various trees, including mango, acacia, oil palm and avocado, to produce my own clay.
'I wanted to incorporate the tenmoku glaze, which originated from the Song dynasty, into my ceramic works.'
He highlighted that producing ceramics posed new challenges as there was a lower tolerance for mistakes.
'One small flaw can force me to rework my bowls or sculptures all over again,' he said.
On his future plans, Ng said he would continue to follow his heart.
'It is important for artists to listen to their inner voice.
'You will know what to do when the time comes.
'I also hope that my exhibition can inspire future artists,' he added.
The exhibition is open until Aug 2 (10am to 5pm on weekdays, 11am to 3pm on weekends) at G-05, Megan Legasi, Millerz Square. For enquiries, call 03-7972 1333.
