Art Talk

                                                                             Done!



Finally the appointment was made to reframe  the painting we bought at the Henry Butcher's Art Auction. Things got in the way of the busyness of every day living. The art piece cut a lonely, unattended existence. Just standing on the floor of the dining  area. Waiting...

My son's pertinent remarks got us into action.'So that's how much you value your investment!' It was greeted with guilt and laughter.

I was looking forward to attend the auction, being a first -timer among 200 odd people. Some friends were there too for the 'auction fever'. After all, when money speaks, and the bids go higher and higher with hands popping up to the tune of the auctioneer's call for more and more till the final bid price. Bid assistants were at hand to help scan the bidders with the auctioneer. It was exciting for some pieces that we had taken a liking to. Some bids came through the phones.

Registration  before bidding

All set for the auction . In the background is Pago Pago Forms, 1968 by Abdul  Latiff Mohidin. It was a stunning buy at RM572,000 inclusive of the buyer's 10% premium. It came out tops out of the 104 lots.

Ring , Ring, Rrringing - bidders call in 

A pleasant surprise to have our friend as the auctioneer

The late Tan Choon Ghee's  pieces created some stir as the artist extraordinaire  had recently passed away and Henry Butcher Art auctioneers paid him a lovely tribute by exhibiting his paintings. His painting, Khoo Kongsi at Cannon Square,1985 was well received.

Khoo Kongsi at Cannon Square,1985 - Watercolour on Paper

Siri Tari 2,1990 by Yusof Ghani spoke to us. We thought we'd buy something different this time round. Luckily our bid was successful and when we were ready to leave, it was all wrapped and happily we carried it to our car.

Here's an excerpt from an interview with the artist :

'I felt that I could still communicate about how I feel about the world with a dance theme. I called them Siri Tari (Dance series).

I want to convey to the audience about the inequality of life that leads to chaos. I feel that dancing is chaotic and directionless. To achieve this effect, my approach to painting was based on immediacy, spontaneity and guided by my intuition for the colours and strokes. I had no specific sketches for the painting.'

Out of the old frame - Siri Tari -  Yusof Ghani - Acrylic on Paper  53.3cm x 35.6cm

Notes in the catalogue: Yusof Ghani's works of camouflaged figures in dynamic movement set forth his Tarian series which sashayed into public domain in 1989, with an exhibition at  GaleriCitra. In 1990 , he suffered a mild stroke but went to Penang and recuperated within months. This work showing two clasping figures done with soft touches and wash-like drip technique is likely to have been done after his stroke ordeal. The Tarian series is probably one of the artist's most popular series to date.
-    Reference Hijjas Kasturi, Siri Tari by Yusof Ghani ( Paintings and Installation Works), GaleriCitra , Kuala Lumpur, 1989

The framer recognised our new possession. Quickly he directed us to the front of his shop and there was Yusof's piece of a later series, Topeng (Mask). Someone wants to sell.

We settled for a plain look and a simple matt silver frame so as not to detract from the artist's strokes and composition.

Making a choice

Trying out the borders for the painting

Talking it over.

Another painting we saw at the shop. I like this one .

The framer says this is an artwork by a famous artist. In the background is one of  Yusof Ghani's Topeng (Mask).

Art Preview/ Art Auction Malaysia 2011

PAGO - PAGO, 1968 graced the invitation card

What does an art enthusiast look for at an art exhibition?  The last time we viewed art was at the Malaysian Art Friends at Istana Art Gallery and the Art Expo Malaysia 2010 at MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre. Yesterday, we attended  the preview of Art Auction Malaysia 2011 at MAP @ Publika, Solaris Dutamas.

Well, to answer my own question, it is to learn more about art and  try to capture the artist's soul on the canvas, so to speak. Once in a while a piece resonates with me right  away, it's love at first sight!. Often times I flounder as not necessarily do I like what I see and not knowing how to make a well - informed opinion.

I tagged along my hubby to this event. We are not art collectors; only the odd pieces which we dearly love to hold and cherish are in our house. True enough, buying art is not for the faint hearted nor when priorities in life  take precedence over  making  an investment in art.

Just like we learn to appreciate  the art of tasting our wines, one can say, appreciating art is  the same. Find out more about the artists, their techniques, educate ourselves  more about art by talking to people  to form an informed opinion, going to art exhibitions,  I believe can appreciate art better.

With more awareness being created by Malaysian Art Friends  and this exhibition and  others cropping up in the local scene, it augurs well  for  the development of  the art scene. Through the seminars offered to the public on a wide range of pertinent art topics - art collecting and investing, critique, conservation, restoration etc,  appreciation of art  can be forged through keen interest. These exhibitions are not only about  appreciation and art collectors. There is abundant untapped talent  among our young and exposing them to the art world, a more vibrant art environment will hopefully develop.  

This preview  by Henry Butcher, Art Auctioneers  was a relaxed affair. It was graced by H.R.H. Raja Dr.Nazrin Shah Sultan Raja Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, the Crown Prince of  Perak Darul Ridzuan. People mingled to view  the 22 pieces on display. Illustrious  names were there: Mohd Hoessein Enas, Ibrahim Hussein, Chuah Thean Teng, Tan Choon Ghee, Abdul Latiff  Mohidin. My favourites, Bayu Utomo Radjikin  and Ahmad Zakii Anwar  also made their impact there.

Opening of  An Exclusive Preview, Art Auction Malaysia 2011 by : H.R.H. Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah Ibni Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, the Crown Prince of Perak Darul Ridzuan

Jalaini Abu Hassan b. Selangor, 1963
THE PUPETEER, 2006

We met some some serious art collector friends  and had a chat about art over lovely tea treats and a cuppa. So ended our short and sweet arty affair for the afternoon. I waxed euphoric over  a couple of pieces I  liked - can't say that of the prices though . You know it already - I can't afford it !! Nevertheless, this art enthusiast  will  definitely be back again when the full collection of 105 pieces for the public audience  takes place on 24 May. So come, browse and linger.

Hubby admiring  the oil on canvas piece by Mohd Hoessein Enas, Dato.
` Reputedly one of the only  five from Hoessein Enas' highly sought - after sensuous Morning  Mist Series, it is probably inspired by Rembrandt  van Rijin's (1606 - 1669) The Bather (1651) ' - text by  Mr Ooi Kok Chuen

Peter  Harris b. England, 1923-2009
RELAXING, c. 1970s -1980s

Tan Choon Ghee b.Penang, 1930 - 2010
KHOO KONGSI AT CANNON SQUARE, 1985

Chia Yu Chian b. Johor, 1936 - d. Singapore 1991
HAWKER, 1957

Norma Abbas, Puan Sri b.Kuala Lumpur, 1951
FLOWERS FOR HARI RAYA, 1995

Ibrahim Hussein, Datuk  b.Kedah, 1936 - d. Kuala Lumpur 2009
RISE ABOVE IT (CHINA COLLECTION), 2008

Bayu Utomo Radjikin b.Sabah,1969
INFINITY X, 1969

Mohd. Hoessein Enas, Dato b. Indonesia, 1924 -1995
MORNING MIST 5, 1992
 'The series is one of the most erotic in Malaysian art with the water-soaked and slightly hiked -up sarong accentuating the voluptuary of the body. few note the details of the floral motif and patterns of the sarong. This is also a work steeped in the tradition of Indonesian realist painter Basuki Abdullah (1915-1993) who has done similar 'Bathers' theme' - text by Mr Ooi Kok Chuen

Artistic presentation of fruit cocktails to whet our appetite:))

Good mix -  people and art and tea