Kuala Lumpur - ART has always been a big part of Huang Fong`s life. The 72-year-old self-taught artist has been linked to art even as he started off at a bicyle repair shop in his early days.
The Indonesian Chinese was then infusing colours into black-and-white photographs that were common in those days.
Later, he realised that the earnings from his part-time job were better than his full-time income derived from repairing bicycles.
So, it was only natural that he switched to do what he liked and knew best.
Specialising in water colours on canvas, which is a technique hard to master, Huang Fong said he had spent a few years researching and perfecting the technique.
He said the secret was in managing the oil that was found on the canvas before putting the colour in.
“Normally, water colour on canvas does not last long and is hard to distribute evenly due to the oil on the canvas but a lot of research and hard work helped me master it,” he said while he was in Kuala Lumpur for his first solo exhibition in Malaysia at the Metro Fine Art Gallery, Legend Hotel.
His motifs are based on what he sees around him in Bali, particularly women.
His subjects amplifies or focuses on the women of Bali clad in their intricate sarongs while at a chore or dance.
“Familiarity with my surroundings help me picture my scenes well and I work on that basis,” Huang Fong added.
Some of these paintings also feature nude women or semi-nude women, focusing on the delicate feminine curves.
“Why would I want to paint women? It`s simply because they are beautiful and there is no better option than beauty as a subject,” said the artist.
Each of Huang Fong`s paintings also feature a smoky effect on the background, lending them a mystical and mysterious feel.
“The smoke is a reference to incense smoke that is common in Bali,” he added.
There are 35 big and small art pieces for sale at the exhibition with prices ranging from RM6,000 and RM49,000.
The exhibition is open till Sept 27 and viewing time is from 11.30am to 5.30pm. By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ
Source: http://thestar.com.my (September 25, 2008)
