• FT of Malaysia,  Kuala Lumpur,  local events,  Malaysia

    Art Expo Malaysia

    Yoon See has been asking me whether I would like to visit the International Art Expo Malaysia, held in MECC Kuala Lumpur, since last week. I agreed to the idea but haven’t really confirmed the date. Yesterday she called me again saying that the expo’s last day would be on Monday 23rd November.

    Since it’s Sunday today, I thought it’s a great idea to feast my eyes with arts rather than facing the computer. Met her at the exhibition at 1.45pm. I did not bring Yassin as he rather stays at home playing computer games such as nex777.

    The expo which has been in its 3rd year already is featuring astonishing artworks from all over the world – Asia, Europe – Eastern and Western, the United States, Central America; a true United Nations of the Art People from all over the world. More than 2,000 artworks from 14 countries is displayed since November 19th, 2009. The five-day exhibition is co-organised by Art Expo Malaysia Sdn Bhd and the National Art Gallery.

    Highlights of the expo are 1 Malaysia Canvas Mosaic, Have a Heart, Malaysian Art Idols, Special Tribute Pavilion, National Art Gallery Malaysia Open 2009, Digital Art China, 19 Dons from China, Suitcase of Stuff and Henry Butcher Art Auction.

    Entering the expo from the 2nd carpark bay, I was greeted by beautiful paintings from Have a Heart booth. Have a Heart is about a group of artists with developmental disorder and other learning disabilities. The Heart group members namely Tan Seng Kit, Nurulakmal Ab Rahman, Leong Teng Seng, Andrew Chew and Damien Wong Sher Yng, have previously represented Malaysia in the 2007 and 2008 expo. Their works had been in personal collection of Malaysians as well as international institutions and individuals.

    have a heart

    Clockwise:
    Artist: Tan Seng Kit (1 Malaysia), Tan Seng Kit (Twin Towers), Nurulakmal Ab Rahman (Garden Series II) and Damien Wong Sher Yng (Beautiful Cranes)

    Moving on to the next booth, the Prime Minister was there to greet me! Well, almost — the painting looks so real!

    1 malaysia mosaic - prime minister

    I know it’s quite big enough for you to read the message of 1Malaysia Canvas Mosaic but I am writing it down for search engine optimisation (SEO) purpose ^__^

    1Malaysia Canvas Mosaic is an ongoing project where artists from all over Malaysia get to paint their impressions of the 1Malaysia concept envisaged by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, each on a 5″ x 5″ strip (or piece) of canvas. All the pieces will then be assembled into a Super 1Malaysia Mosaic Mural next year in a special ceremony.

    I would like to contribute my piece but I do not have the faintest idea on how to join. Google-d, bing-ed, yahoo-ed… but to no avail. Let me know if you have the information!

    297 mosaics

    297 mosaics…and counting…

    Next, Yoon See and I visited the Korea’s section featuring 40 artists, all represented by International Art Cooperative Organisation (IACO) South Korea.

    These are my favourites from Korea:

    art expo - chang, chi won

    artex_korea cartoon

    Next we visited the National Art Gallery Malaysia Open 2009 section. A particular painting caught my eyes…

    artex_ilove

    …BEAUTIFUL!!! The painting entitled Cinta Flora & Fauna by Jainal Amambing is selling at RM8000. If only I have the money…

    Next we visited Malaysian Art Idols, Digital Art China, 19 Dons from China, Suitcase of Stuff and Henry Butcher Art Auction and Special Tribute Pavilion. Here are some beautiful paintings by Yuan Ye, a painter from China.

    artex_yuan ye

    Next, we went to the Art of Engineering section; featuring 2 lotuses: Europa SE and Elise S.

    lotus

    Ok, that concludes my visit to the International Art Expo Malaysia 2009. The expo’s last day is tomorrow, visiting hours is from 10.30am until 5.00pm. Admission is free, parking is RM5.00. For location map, visit Art Expo Malaysia.

    Be there or BE THERE. The next expo will only be here in Kuala Lumpur November 2010.