PAINTINGS are not merely visual presentations but are the expressions of emotion that are presented in an artistic manner with a soul in it.
Apart from creativity, producing art pieces requires self-discipline and a focused mind and renowned local artist Cheah Yew Saik is an epitome of this.
Born in Sungai Petani, Kedah in 1939, Cheah founded the Kuala Lumpur College of Art in 1968 to fulfil his aspiration of promoting art education and was the college’s principal till 2002.
“In the bid to honour Cheah, a prominent figure and pioneer in Malaysian art education and the field of art, the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG) is organising ‘Cheah Yew Saik – Retrospective’ on Nov 2 at 5pm at the Dewan Sri Pinang (ground floor),’’ said PSAG chairman Lee Khai in a press conference on Oct 17.
“Cheah’s artworks comprise four elements, namely ‘touch of nature’, ‘nostalgia’, ‘conundrum of space and time’ and ‘enema of object’.
“He has held 14 solo exhibitions and participated in many invitational group exhibitions locally and internationally , a versatile artist who is skilled in many different mediums,’’ added Lee Khai.
Cheah said he has spent half of his lifetime in arts and it has moulded him to what he has become today.
“Prior to opening the art college in Kuala Lumpur, I started an art school in Penang which was supposed to become the first art school in Malaysia but not many got enrolled,’’ Cheah said.
Also present were Museum and Penang State Art Gallery curator Haryany Mohamad and Wong Choon Chew, who is Cheah’s wife.
Wong, who is the backbone of Cheah in his art endeavors, said if everybody learns to appreciate art then there will not be war.
A total of 149 art pieces will be displayed at the ‘Cheah Yew Saik – Retrospective’ and admission to the exhibition is free.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud