Exploring the many faces of art

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THE sky is the limit when it comes to art. With no boundaries, limitations or right and wrong, talents can be tapped and nurtured, and everyone is born artist in their own right.

Set to become a prominent platform to showcase the visions of the young and upcoming contemporary artists as well as to educate and tap the talent of the unknown is the newly relocated Artseni Gallery in Lot 10 shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur launched on Dec 17.

Artseni Gallery owner Philip Wong, who has been managing the gallery for the last seven years at Starhill Gallery, said the new venue was the first step into realising his dreams of creating an avenue to teach and showcase the talent of the young.

“I know how it feels like to be a young artist craving for recognition and pitching to be featured in art exhibitions. It’s a tough market out there, especially competing with established artists. During this process, many lose confidence in the value of their work.

Mindboggling: Wong talking about his latest project on the human mind.

“There are no short cuts and every artist has to start from the very beginning. Even after being an artist for many years, many doubted my ability to manage my own gallery but I took it as a challenge and have pulled through successfully,” he said at an interview at the newly launched gallery.

Wong said the relocation was like a blessing in disguise as it was also more spacious, providing more room to also engage in performing arts.

“The previous gallery was only about 500sq ft but this one is double the size and the ceiling is also very high. Art can also be presented through dance which I am also passionate about and I would like to showcase and explore further,” he said, adding that he was currently working on a project to explain the human mind.

As you walk into the gallery, the walls on both sides feature paintings, with sculptures perched on top of stands, cabinets and some hanging from the ceiling. On the left corner of the room is the Philip Wong transparent glass paint art, where a variety of creatively decorated bookmarks, canvas neckties, butterflies, stone painting, porcelain and glass bottles are displayed.

The dancing dragon: One of the many sculptures on display at the gallery.

“Almost any surface can be painted now. Many of the items that I use are recycled,” he said while showing the damaged porcelain teapots and saucers that he collected from restaurants for his future projects.

“I am also planning to conduct five- to 30- minute workshops from next year onwards to teach transparent glass paint art. Many are not confident to paint using oil paints, as when it leaks or goes wrong, they lose confidence and never attempt it again.

“There is no right or wrong when it comes to art and I feel transparent glass paint art is easier and dries faster, therefore a great way to gain confidence.

“Through my experience conducting workshops, many were amazed at how beautiful their art works look at the end of every class and be motivated to experiment and improvise further.

“Education is very important in every aspect including arts. After all, art is life and life is all about learning,” he said.

Bold and beautiful: A variety of bookmarks made using transparent glass paint art.

From now until Dec 31, Artseni Gallery is having its inaugural exhibition titled “Artseni Contemporary” featuring young and upcoming Malaysian artists as well as contemporary foreign artists. They are, among others, Nazmi Ismail, Muji Lee Mok Yee, Iron Loi Fuei Siang, Khairunissa Zainal Abidin and Muhammad Ahmad Asyraf.