IN primary school, I was one of the unfortunate few who had to undergo the weekly Sunday afternoon duress of art tuition classes.
PASSION FOR ART: Melton with his painting Trampuo (pitcher plant), recently purchased during the exhibition.
I say ‘unfortunate’ because no matter how much I willed it – my clumsy, chubby fingers strangling the dear life out of my crayons as they choked out crooked streaks of colour across the drawing paper – I could never seem to reproduce anything resembling the rich, playful landscapes and profound characters that seemed to flow so effortlessly from the imagination and fingertips of Mr Meijin, the art tuition teacher.
Earlier on, I had fancied myself as someone with artistic potential. A few classes with Mr Meijin quickly relieved me of that notion. It definitely didn’t help that I never completed my homework.
Thus, in my prepubescent mind, art tuition classes became just another parent-fuelled eccentricity to be patiently endured until the end of the school year.
The saintly Mr Meijin probably felt the same way about me every time my shadow loomed foreboding over his doorstep.
However, I always felt he deserved more recognition and appreciation for the sufferings he had to endure as he was trying to instill a passion for art in the next generation all those years ago.
The exhibition
Which is why I am really glad to be writing about Visual Aspiration at Galleria – the first art exhibition of its kind featuring the creative artwork of 14 art teachers and lecturers from various schools, teaching institutions and universities located across Sarawak.
The featured artists are Jackie Lane Gima, Abdul Hisham bin Ishak, Mohd Ali Zolkifli, Clement Jimel, Bell Su’ut, Chai Khuan Fen, Chieng Chong Ing, Sylvester Jussem, Melton Kais, Adam Federico Krocha, Ling Pik Kuong, Patrick Jamba, Meges Laoi, and Ashaari Hamdan.
The exhibition was launched by Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg on Dec 20, 2010 and will run until Feb 20 this year.
Creative works on display demonstrate a wide range of mediums and techniques, including canvas, oil and acrylic paint, tree bark, air brush, modern art installations and mixed media.
All works on display are available for purchase. Prices range from an affordable few hundred ringgit to several thousand ringgit.
Located within the walls of Wesberly House, Galleria is one of a handful of art galleries in Kuching dedicated to high-end art. The owners themselves are ardent art collectors and strongly believe in supporting local talent.
This exhibition is the brainchild of Melton Kais, resident artist at Galleria since 2004. He now teaches art at a local secondary school in Bau. He has been an art educator for over 30 years.
Behind the scenes
For the exhibition, Melton’s idea was to involve art teachers and educators from every corner of Sarawak. However, he admits getting people together was challenging not because of lack of talent to choose from but because there are not that many teachers actively creating art.
The reasons why this situation exists are many, including priority towards teaching duties and family matters, lack of time and financial resources and low motivation.
This adds a certain level of urgency and significance to the exhibition in terms of providing exposure to art teachers who continue to produce despite facing all these challenges, and giving the profession due recognition for their skills, creativity and passion.
Melton said art teachers who continue to create will not only benefit by refining their skills and developing their unique style but will also be an inspiration to their students.
“A truly good teacher will inspire his or her students and that makes the students more interested in the subject and want to excel in it.
“To have the knowledge is one thing, to be able to impart the knowledge is a totally different thing,” Melton emphasised.
“It’s the theory and process – the end product will be the students. A teacher can have all the degrees he wants in this world but if he’s not a good teacher, then it’s no use. It’s only good for himself.”
At the very least, a good art teacher must be competent in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject. They also have to show creativity in how to impart knowledge because each student has his or her own different level of cognitive skills, psycho-motor skills, and manipulative skills.
Teachers must learn how to tailor their approach and teaching process so that the needs of each student will be sufficiently addressed.
Cultivating the next Picasso
On the future of art as a serious career path, Melton pointed out that in general, more people were now aware about the value of art.
Individuals with artistic skills have opportunities for employment spanning across a wide range of industries, including those not normally associated with the creative arts such as automobile design and furniture functionality. One clear indication of this is the myriad of fine arts and design-related courses offered in local colleges and universities.
The relative accessibility, sophistication and user-friendliness of computer technology such as design software has added an extra dimension to the ways how individuals can express themselves creatively – whether for work purposes or as a personal hobby.
In general, the art syllabus in Malaysian schools has yet to reflect the growing role of computer technology in creating artistic works. Even though the government does help to subsidise the cost of art materials, finding enough funds for properly equipped computer labs is another matter altogether.
Design software usually consumes more computer resources and memory than other types of software; thus, they perform better on computers which are more powerful – and more costly – than the average PC.
However, Melton pointed out that despite limitations, the teachers always try to do what they can to expose their students to this side of art.
To reinforce the government’s efforts to raise the standard of teaching in Malaysian schools, art teachers must have a minimum qualification of a Diploma in Education and/or a degree in Fine Arts.
Making Good
Melton’s own experience is a good example of the surprising twists in life which can happen when one decides to pursue art as a passion.
A defining moment came when he was completing his specialist training in KL and his work was entered and accepted into an art exhibition at the National Art Gallery. Upon his return to Sarawak, he resolved to pursue art more seriously.
As he took part in more exhibitions and his works were sought after by individual collectors as well as corporate bodies, he realised acceptance and recognition of his work was increasing. This fed his creative passion and he felt even more motivated to increase his abilities and to continue to create artistic works.
One of Melton’s proudest moments took place last year during the Endau Rompin Royal Art Exhibition 2010 when he had the opportunity to show the Sultan of Johor, and the menteri besar, one of his paintings entitled Simfoni Endau Rompin. The same painting was later acquired by the Johor state government for RM75,000 – the most expensive painting Melton has sold to date.
Since Visual Aspiration opened its doors, several pieces of art have already been snapped up by art collectors.
Melton said when people appreciate art, they are more willing to show their support by purchasing the works of the artist.
In this respect, East Malaysia lags behind West Malaysia, partly because the community of Malaysian art collectors on this side of the South China Sea is comparatively small and has lower levels of disposable income.
On the other hand, there’s only a handful of artists in Sarawak who have been able to strike out and forge satisfying and rewarding careers as artists. To excel at that level, local artists must always be willing to push their creative boundaries, seek knowledge and sharpen their skills.
Judging by the many engaging works on display at Visual Aspiration, there is a wealth of local artistic talent and potential out there which deserves to be explored, developed, respected and recognised.
So what are you waiting for? All are welcomed to visit the exhibition which runs from now until Feb 20.
Galleria is located at Wesberly House, Lot 2812, Block 195, Rubber Road West, 93400 Kuching. Opening hours are from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays. For public inquiries, the gallery can be contacted at 016-8865278 or 082-243521 (fax).