By Sharon Chin, ARTERI, Aug 24, 2009 - Interview with Amir Zainorin and Nur Hanim Khairuddin on UNCUT09: the first ever Malaysian Arts Festival in Denmark. ...read on
An Interview with Amir Zainorin, MAKING THE ART SEEN, Aug 4, 2009 ... read on
Malaysia’s most influential spiritual leader Nik Aziz offers commentary on the virtuous and Islamic way to conduct ethical commerce in his inimitable style. More info http://15malaysia.com/films/the-tree/
"Chasing old ghosts down the dank and dark alleyways of central Kuala Lumpur has become a palliative game for Malaysian artists these past few months. Whether it's heated banter about thwarted artworks while dining al fresco after a gallery opening, or mounting installations poking fun at new prime minister Najib Razak, or even surviving police arrests at candle-lit vigils for Malaysia's sickly democracy, the nostalgia here for a previous era and its ghosts of a less racially-divided polity seems palpable, just as the economy sinks into its deepest crisis in a generation...."
Crossing, a solo exhibition of works done during the Freeman Fellowship and after, by Yeoh Kean Thai, December 1, 2008 - January 30, 2009, at Shalini Ganendra Fine Art, the Private Gallery. ...............................................................................................
Yeoh Kean Thai - BEYOND POINTS OF RUST, in Malaysia Tatler, January 2009
- - In his recent solo exhibition entitled ‘Crossing,’ award winning artist Yeoh Kean Thai communicates his primary concerns. Michele Theseira relates his subject matter. Have you ever visited an art gallery or attended an art exhibition where you surf the gallery, walking through the many artworks and suddenly are captivated by a particular one that seems to speak to you? You stop, take in the piece’s impact and by now, your mind wonders into its own domain trying to make some sense of the arresting visual in front of you.... read on
Yeoh Kean Thai, in ASIAN ART NEWSPAPER, December 2008
- - When Malaysian born Yeoh Kean Thai (b. 1966) won the Phillip Morris Award for Malaysia with a large canvas work, stretched and interwoven within the hand crafted, patiently rusted and irregular metal frame – a fascination with all things discarded and rusted captured the attention of judges and observers. That award was in 1997 and Thai had pursued this aesthetic topic and focus for many years before then, and would continue to do so for many years after... read on
The German Alumni Association Kuala Lumpur (GAAKL) and the Goethe-Institut Malaysia jointly organised an exhibition entitled "The German Connection : Art", in collaboration with Pelita Hati House of Art. (August 22, 2008)
By ANDREW SIA, The Star Online, Sunday November 23, 2008
- - Speculators are investing in Malaysian art as they would in stocks and shares. Works are fetching record prices overseas. And on Wednesday, the gargantuan 2nd International Art Expo Malaysia trade fair begins in Kuala Lumpur. Has Malaysian art arrived? WHEN a computer-manipulated art work called Huminodun by Malaysian artist Yee I-Lann was sold for RM117,000 at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in May, it created a stir – the local selling price had been just RM12,000.... read on
"The mystery of death - photo essay, in mysinchew, Aug 13, 2009 - - What is death? - This is a question that confronts everyone as it is at the heart of humanity. There are those who believe that after death, there is nothing, and there are those who believe it is the exit to another life. But the real answer is finally unknowable – for no one has been there and come back to tell us what it is. What may survive after death are memories, some of which are concretized in photographs. Photography has a tremendous power to preserve private memories and perpetuate the ‘life’ of a departed one. They record moments and emotions that can be revisited by the person looking at them. Exits presents two photographic views of death by Peter Tan and his wife Wuan, and by Victor Chin, focusing on their mothers as subject..."
................................................................................................. Exits – The Mystery Of Death, in Peter Tan's Bloghttp://www.petertan.com/blog/2009/08/19/exits-the-mystery-of-death .................................................................................................
Pictures that speak a thousand words, The Star Online, Tuesday August 18, 2009 ... read on .................................................................................................
Written by Brigitte Rozario, The Star, In.Tech, Oct 1, 2002
- - "ART used to be something mainly enjoyed by the upper and upper-middle classes of society. In the past, it was rare to see a working man browsing through works of art, let alone the destitute or relatively poor person walking through the doors of an art gallery. Firstly, the poor or working class didn’t have the time. Secondly, art has always been perceived as something that only the “cultured” and “intellectual” could appreciate. Snobbish perceptions? Perhaps. But can you imagine a chimney-sweep during Queen Victoria’s reign standing inside an art gallery?" ... read on
*Image above shows 50ft (1500cm) x 15foot (450cm) billboard of Ivan's show at Wei Ling Gallery http://www.weiling-gallery.com/panorama.htm ...............................................................................................
FINE STROKES OD REALISM In The Star, written by ANDREW SIA, Sunday August 16, 2009
"Artist Ivan Lam uses layers of paint and subtle textures to reveal a carefully crafted bigger picture.
IT’S like doing Shaolin kung fu training without learning any fancy moves ... just sweeping the floor or washing dishes,” says artist Ivan Lam about his latest show, Panorama.
“It’s been five years of exploration, sweat, elation, rejection and fulfilment. Only to realise that my master, who is myself, didn’t make me do it for the sake of torturing me. It was to lay a foundation ... I learnt how to become a better painter and person.”
Judging by the packed opening of Panorama on Wednesday at Wei-Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, the chic party afterwards, and the RM40,000 pricetags, Lam’s star in the local arts scene is rising fast. There was even a full-sized highway billboard in the city advertising the show!"
Written by Elaine Lau, In the Edge, Monday, 20 July, 2009
An exhibition of artworks from a pivotal figure in the history of Malaysian art - - In March this year, Peter Harris, who was instrumental in the early blossoming of Malayan art in the 1950s, passed away after a bout of illness, just five weeks shy of his 86th birthday. In honour and remembrance of this man and his works, The Art Gallery Penang is holding a memorial exhibition at Art Salon @ Seni Mont’ Kiara in Kuala Lumpur. On display are artworks produced in the 1950s during Harris’ time in Malaya all the way to more recent ones he did in the early 2000s
Art pioneer by Ooi Kok Chuen The Star Online, Thursday March 19, 2009
Peter Barton Harold Harris (1923-2009)
A tribute to the man who laid the foundation of early art education in the then Malaya. PETER Barton Harold Harris, who laid the foundations of early art education in the country, passed away on March 14 – five weeks short of his 86th birthday. He had been warded at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, England, for three weeks for a chest infection.
A tribute to art mentor Peter Harris By YIP YOKE TENG The Star Online, Friday June 26, 2009
A painting titled `The Other Side of the Lake’.
THE faces of Malaya in the 1950s, captured by the mentor of many important local artists, are currently being exhibited at the Art Salon@Seni Mont Kiara.
The memorial exhibition is a tribute to Peter Harris, who came to Malaya in 1951 to be the art superintendent in the Ministry of Education.
He was the founder of the Wednesday Art Group and with immense dedication, groomed and inspired many members in the group to become the heavyweights they are now in the local art scene.
Artistic Merdeka By ANDREW SIA - the Star Online, Sunday August 9, 2009
- - This intriguing exhibition features Malaysian art from the 1950s to the latest cutting-edge digital works. SO what has 52 years of Malaysian art produced? It ranges from idyllic 1950s watercolours and surreal 1960s abstracts up to social statements of the 1990s and the digitally manipulated art of the new millennium – judging from the current exhibition Changing Phases: Relative Spaces at Galeri Petronas in Kuala Lumpur, held in conjunction with our 52nd Merdeka....Read on
LAYERS OF INTRIGUE, an article written by ROUWEN LIN in The StarMag (Malaysia), Sunday, March 29, 2009. - - "FROZEN in motion and immortalised in time, glistening droplets come to life and dance under lights. But despite their polished brilliance, their beginnings are humble..."Click image to read article: OR, visit The Star online to read article. The Star Publications (M) Bhd in Malaysia http://thestar.com.my/info/thestar.asp
MAKING THE ART SEEN: First of all, please introduce yourself to those of our readers that may not be familiar with you and your work. Tell us your name, where you are originally from, where you are based currently. From where did you receive your art training, what was the focus of your studies, when did you graduate?
AmirZainorin, the artist. Image courtesy of AmirZainorin
From 1995-1998 I apprenticed with well known POP artist Jeri Azhari in KualaLumpur. The main focus for me was on simplicity. Learning how to simplify things and to create something out of nothing.
MTAS: When did you first realize you were an artist?
AZ: When I did my first oil on canvas in 1995. I had a few meetings with Jeri at his studio in KualaLumpur and was encouraged by him to start painting. At that time I had just quit my full time job at an advertising agency and wanted to discover myself on what I should really do with my life.
MTAS: Does anyone in your family make art?
AZ: No, no one in my family makes art.
MTAS: What types of job(s) have you had in the past?
AZ: I have worked in a bank, advertising and PR agency, hotel and restaurants in KualaLumpur. I have also run diving school and a batik school on an island in Malaysia.
MTAS: What do you do for fun besides making art?
AZ: I like to watch films and play with my two kids.
FAMILY PICTURE: Amir with his wife, Pia Poulsen holding their daughterMalika in her arms and son Ilyas on her side. Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
MTAS: What are you doing besides making art?
AZ: I am organizing my first festival in Denmark. It is a Malaysian Arts festival which includes art exhibition, film screening, dance and music performance.
This is the first Malaysian arts festival to ever take place in Scandinavia. I have just formed a collective called ‘Jambatan’, a Malay word which means bridge. The main goal of Jambatan is to build up networks between Danish/western and Asian artists. It is also aimed at developing and strengthening intercultural competences in the life of art and culture.
MTAS: Could you tell us a bit about UN-CUT09: MALAYSIAN ARTS FESTIVAL, an arts festival you've being involved with organizing? Who are the key players involved in this project, when/where this arts festival will take place, and what can the public expect to see?
AZ: UN-CUT09: MALAYSIAN ARTS FESTIVAL will takes place in the city of Copenhagen and Roskilde from August 5th - 15th, 2009.
The title ‘UN-CUT’ has a double meaning. Part of the title refers to the uncensored and open dissemination of art form. The other part of ‘UN-CUT' refers to the same word pronunciation in Malay ‘angkat ‘, which means to lift. One of the festival’s goals is to lift and introduce Malaysian art to a new audience here in Denmark.
MTAS: Please tell us a bit about your painting and collage work. What are the thoughts and inspirations behind the creation of this body of work? What is the specific message you strive to convey to your viewers?
AZ: My work is inspired by things that I find in the mass media and my surroundings.In the first couple of years when I started to make art, I was working with oil.
Most of the subject matter I picked up was from film magazines, art books and pictures from the newspapers. I was also painting portraits of artists and famous people.
The NY Times, 200cm x 115cm, digital print on canvas, 2008 Image courtesy of A. Zainorin *OrangAsli and banksy balloon, 150x110cm, digital print on canvas, 2007 Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
The history channel, 200cm x 125cm, digital c-print on canvas, 2008 Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
I grew up in an environment of popular culture. Watching Walt Disney, the Lone Ranger, Six Million Dollar Man, Superman, to mention a few. My father was a singer in a Ghazal (Band) back in the 60's, so music has also been a big part of my life.
*The Dance, 170cm x 120cm, digital c print on paper, 2009 Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
One of the main inspirations of making collage is because of its simplicity and the idea that you don’t necessarily have to buy paints or colors to make art.
MTAS: Can you discuss your process in general? How does it all start, what techniques and materials do you use?
AZ: I have worked with many different materials. I first started with oil, and later on switched to acrylic and at the same time started to make collage and assemblage from objects I found from the street.
Askepot II, 45cm x 60cm, collage and acrylic on linen, 2006 Image courtesy of A. Zainorin ISBN 7887, 110cm x 150cm, collage and acrylic on canvas, 2007 Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
For the past 7 years I have been working with my computer creating digital prints. Earlier this year I had a solo exhibition in London showing about 15 pieces of my work done with computer.
I have started making video interviews and art videos the last few years. The below is a video interview of a renowned Malaysian artist RedzaPiyadasa. To view more videos I made please visit http://www.youtube.com/user/amirzainorin
Okay, how does it all start - well, I guess it all starts with an idea of what I want to make which I then need to decide which technique I want to use. It could be collage, assemblage, painting or so on. But the idea normally comes from ready-mades, things that are easily recognizable, pictures, sign board, logo etc. I am getting a lot of my sources from the internet nowadays.
My latest series of work are portraits of well known women made of lakrids (liquorice). So, I work with many types of formats to create art.
Princess Mary, 65x 75cm, lakrids on board, 2009 Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
MTAS: What is the most interesting comment you have heard from a viewer?
(Detail) Klip-klappa, made of lakrids and glue on board, 2009 Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
AZ: I have just come back from a sculpture festival in north Denmark which I showed my lakrids slippers and portrait of Princess Mary. One person came up to me and said, "I know why you do this, you think that we Danes are very sweet people."
MTAS: Are you planning any exhibitions of this body of work in the near future?
AZ: Yes, but I am not sure where I will show them yet. I have to be careful where I am going to show them because the ants will be very attracted to them.
MTAS: Please tell us about the 99 Flagmen you made.
AZ: There are 99 flagmen in this piece of work and they are made of plaster, canvas and ink. This work is inspired by The 99 Names of Allah (also known as The 99 Most Beautiful Names of God) which have different meaning or characters. It is also believed that when we practice writing the characters, it will leads to spiritual power.
99 Flagmen. Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
A flag is a symbol of conquest. This is derived from our desire to show power, be it of conquering new physical territory or epistemological space.
Flagman. Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
MTAS: How long does it take to do one painting (please give us one example)?
AZ: It could take one day for a painting or two. It could also take me years to finish it but that doesn’t normally happened.
Artist at work. Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
MTAS: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
AZ: It is very difficult to say, but I would like to have a retrospective show in the next 10 years somewhere.
MTAS: Any advice or tips would you give to an artist just starting out?
AZ: Never give up. Only the best comes out from the worst.
Amir in his studio.Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
MTAS: Would you provide links to articles and reviews about your artwork?
AZ: I guess you could try to google my name, "Amir Zainorin", there will probably be an article that will pop.
MTAS: Tell us about the awards and recognitions you received in the past years.
I also have been featured in many online galleries. My work was awarded the "No.1 Saatchi Online Magazine Critic's Choice" by Saatchi Online. In addition, I was awarded "July Showcase Winner" by ARTslant recently.
MTAS: Do you offer any art workshops?
AZ: Yes, I hold art workshops from time to time. My next workshop will be at Heerup Museum in Copenhagen where I will be working with children making art from trash. This is in conjunction with the Environmental Summit in Copenhagen where president Obama will be coming to officiate in December 2009.
Installation view: TrashArt-environmental exhibition Image courtesy of A. Zainorin Installation view: TrashArt-environmental exhibition Image courtesy of A. Zainorin
MTAS: Are you available for commissioned works? Representing gallery if any?
AZ: I am available for commission work. Ra Gallery is representing me in Malaysia and Bricklane Gallery has offered to represent me in London.
Amir with his friend Badrul at his art reception at Bricklane Gallery in London.
MTAS: Do you have a website (or any web presence) for interested readers to learn more about your work? Would you like to share your contact info with our readers?
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