Noel does his part at the ‘One Heart One Mind’ Charity Fundraising Fair.
FOR many, drawing and painting may be just a hobby but it can also serve as stress reliever and income generator, depending on how one broaches the subject.
For a 41-year-old Kiput in Baram, however, it is more than that. Drawing and painting are passions that help him preserve his culture and cope with missing his village where he spent most of his childhood.
For 17 years now, Noel Belulok Kuala of Tutoh Apoh has been producing paintings, mostly of natural motives such as flora, fauna, scenery and culture simply because they remind him of home.
Noel and his artworks at the Merbau Furniture Charity Sale.
His paintings have been sold at local and international events and are hanging on walls across the globe.
“Since a young age, I have always liked to paint and draw. But I never imagined I would still be doing it today,” said the father of three.
Because of his love for painting, Noel took up a course in batik design at IKBN Jitra, Kedah, as well as other programmes, organised by the Malaysia Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraf Malaysia). Through them, he learned to master numerous drawing techniques that help him produce beautiful artworks today.
“My drawings have gone commercial for many years now and I’ve never stopped painting and producing more and more artworks,” he told thesundaypost at the recent Malaysian Crafts Promotion Exhibition.
Seeing that his artworks have touched the hearts of many art lovers and are also in demand, Noel, an art teacher in a school at Riam, decided to set up his own local art gallery in Piasau with the help of his wife, Serina.
“I grew up in the rural areas and had always been surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna. I was never far from my roots. I love nature because it reminds me of everything alive but mostly of my village where I spent most of my childhood,” he reminisced.
As a grown-up, Noel moved to the city where he furthered his studies, and later got married. But all along, he was missing the village he grew up in.
“I can never forget my kampung life. It reminds me of who I am. So whenever I miss my kampung, I’d sit down and start painting. My wife has always been very supportive and helped me out at the gallery and art exhibitions,” said Noel who is a member of the Malaysian Artists Society.
Today, he produces his paintings mostly in batik form.
“Batik has become very versatile. Moreover, batik is not only a traditional Malaysian art, batik paintings are also used on clothing as well as decorative items. All of my paintings have their own story to tell but they are mostly about life in the kampung and native cultures.
“I have been trying to keep alive my memories of my village, my culture and my childhood through my paintings. My artworks are synonymous
with my way of life as a Sarawakian — always alive and never to be forgotten. I feel blessed I can share these memories with people who view or own my paintings,” he enthused.
Noel has set up exhibitions for many local and international events, including the Sarawak Craft Festival, the Borneo Jazz and the recent Malaysian Crafts Promotion, to name a few.
He has also participated in a number of charitable art events to raise funds for the less fortunate. Among them this year were ‘One Heart One Mind’ Charity Fundraising Fair and the Merbau Furniture Charity Sale.
Occasionally, he conducts batik painting workshops to impart his painting skills to those with the same passion.
Noel’s beautiful batik painting of a pair of hornbills.
Noel and wife Serina man their booth at the Malaysians Craft Promotion Exhibition.