ARTIST Yap Kim Boon’s new gallery is a tad different from the usual.
Nestled among the greenery in Ampang, the gallery decked in white, is adjoining his house so that he “can tell what his kid is doing and can smell what his wife is cooking”.
It is where vibrant depictions of heliconias and bougainvilleas, luscious green swathes stretch into the blue horizon and Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers emerged from mists in the morning light are displayed. These are the works of his latest exhibition titled A Celebration of Life Through Nature.
The works exude life and hope — many of his works are bought by a major hospital to cheer patients — and they seem exceptionally energetic when displayed in the gallery that was finally a reality after 12 years as a full-time painter.
Celebrating life: Yap and his depiction of the tea valleys in Cameron Highlands. It was a far cry from the day he left the art school where he taught students who showed disinterest in fine art.
Yap sold his terrace house and his family moved into a small apartment. In two years, they dried up their financial reserves but his works of landscape were still not appreciated.
His first painting depicting heliconias brought rays of hope. The animated portrayal of the bird-like blooms stamped a deep impression in onlookers. His unique painting technique — using a palette knife and rich colours — created a three-dimensional effect that invited light and shadow to play a part in the artwork.
“I was discovered by art lovers because of heliconias, that is why I will never stop painting them,” said the 50-year-old.
“Those who like my works will notice the gradual changes in my works. The heliconias I paint now are bolder and wilder, in a riot of strong colours even in the background to stretch one’s imagination.”
In the morning light: “City in Morning”. Yap fondly recalled a friend’s comment, “Your heliconias are ever so beautiful as though they are dancing on the canvas, but they seem to be learning how to dance a decade ago, and now they are teaching others to dance.”
He had painted 10 pieces of heliconias for the current exhibition, all but two had been snapped up.
Looking back, he split his career life into three stages: the struggle, the pursuit and the sharing.
The struggling years ended when he was finally recognised and he pursued to hone his skills so much so that he was invited for a solo exhibition in the United States.
It is time for sharing, the new gallery is open to all art lovers, and he even lends it to his church members for meetings and functions for free.
Like the heliconia, Yap’s bougainvilleas are bursts of optimism, and in his latest revisit to the subject, the round blossoms are splashed over undulating mountains to express his respect for nature.
Bougainvillea, the “paper flower”, is to Yap a sign of strength as the fragile-looking plant always blooms in abundance.
Dancing blooms: “Fiery Heliconias 3”. “The idea was a result of the massive landslide that happened near my old home.
“It was one of those times when nature showed its wrath against senseless development and we have to remind ourselves to be sensitive and respectful,” he added.
Yap’s landscape series has been enriched by the addition of several pieces portraying the city’s scenery, many of them were derived from the sight that bowled him over when he was brought to the Ampang Look-Out Point.
“It is like I am visiting the city once in a while, it is a different experience,” he added.
The exhibition is on until Nov 15, from 10am to 5.30pm daily.
The gallery is at No. 2, Jalan Sierra Ukay 4, Taman Sierra Ukay Perdana, Serenia Garden, Ampang.
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