Malaysian, Chinese artworks now on display at Saradise Gallery

0

Liou explains her artwork to exhibition visitors.

Liou poses with her work ‘Borneo Mangrove Beauty’ now on display at the Malaysia & China Arts & Culture Joint Exhibition.

KUCHING: More than 50 artworks from local and Chinese artists are being showcased at the Malaysia & China Arts & Culture Joint Exhibition, running now at Saradise Gallery here till Oct 19.

Organised by Word Arts Convention, the exhibition is themed ‘Symphony’.

Artist Michelle Liou, who is a member of Sarawak Artist Society, told The Borneo Post that it took her one month to produce the artwork currently showcased at the exhibition.

Titled ‘Borneo Mangrove Beauty’, her artwork features mangrove trees and its surrounding areas, revealing a mesmerising and artistic tranquillity.

Inspired by her visit to Bako National Park in 2015, Liou’s piece uses acrylic on canvas and is selling for RM5,000.

According to her, the price of her artwork reflects the value of the effort and time she channelled into producing the piece.

Having only ventured into the art industry 10 years ago, she said that she has always had a strong passion in painting since her schooling days, but never delved further into it until her children grew up.

“After my children grew up, I realised that I want to pursue my passion and interest,” said Liou, who worked in finance and education before entering the art industry.

She added that being an artist is a continuous learning processes and that “practice makes perfect”.

“I applied the Paul Jackson Pollock techniques of pouring, splashing and tripping in producing my artworks, but each artwork still reflects my own style.”

According to her, her artworks mainly focus on natural habitats such as the Borneo rainforest, and that not all of her pieces are for sale as she prefers to keep some for her own collection.

On her source of inspiration, she it comes from observing the surrounding environment, listening to others, and travelling the world.

Her artworks have been well received by locals and foreigners alike, resulting in her being invited to take part in exhibitions overseas.

Liou said that she hoped to see the Sarawak government establish a state art gallery to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their works to the public, and as a catalyst to develop the art industry in the state.

The exhibition is open to visitors from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday at Level 1, Titanium Tower at Brighton Square, along Jalan Song here.

Saradise Gallery was created to serve as a platform to showcase ‘Sarawakiana’ creative works by renowned local artists and young emerging talents in the state.