Kuala Lumpur, 19 June 2010 - In conjuction with the nation's 53rd anniversary, GALERI PETRONAS launched its “CELEBRATE MALAYSIA” themed exhibitions last Thursday.

“CELEBRATE MALAYSIA” which features two new art exhibitions Young Malaysian Artists: New Objec(tion) and Words+Pictures=Book was launched by PETRONAS’ Executive Vice President of Downstream Business Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin. The exhibitions show unique expressions of up and coming Malaysian artists who have been influenced and nurtured by Malaysian elements and whose efforts play an important role in the development of Malaysian art.

The first exhibition, Young Malaysian Artists: New Objec(tion), showcases radical new voices in Malaysian art, while the second, Words+Pictures=Book gives due recognition to Malaysian children’s picture book illustration as an art form.

In Young Malaysian Artists: New Objec(tion), the future of Malaysian art gets charted. Brash, edgy and exciting, this invitational process exhibition features 40 new works by 40 young artists aged between 25 to 45 years old. This free-for-all, no- holds-barred exhibition highlights the range of innovations employed by contemporary young artists today, who challenge traditional aesthetics through their methodology and philosophical concerns in response to the world around them. New Objec(tion) reflects their pursuit to create new objects with abandon, without restraints, rules, barriers or expectations as they attempt to carve a niche for themselves within the wider context of the art world. The participating artists were allowed to explore their true creative inclinations in the hope of unearthing their true great talent and what it contributes to the diversity of Malaysian art. While largely perched in the realm of pop-surrealism, the young artists demonstrate their skills and commentary in very unique ways which both differentiate themselves while enthralling the viewer.

Artworks by participating artists Nurazmal Yusof, Meor Saifullah Lulaed, Haslin Ismail, Deyanna Deraman, Zulhusni Mohd. Ridzuan, Lim Keh Soon, Mohd Sarip Abd Rahman, Samsudin Wahab, Abdul Aziz Mohd. Yusof, Donald Gadius Painus Munsih, Cheng Yen Pheng, Khairina Khairuddin, Noor Azizan Abdul Rahman Paiman, Tan Nan See, Hoo Kiew Hang, Tan See Ling and Wong Min Lik are deeply charged with dark emotional sentiment ranging from cynicism, mockery, frustration, betrayal and even hatred.

Hamidi Hadi, Daud Rahim, Izzadin Matrahah, Chong Ai Lei, Mohd. Afifee Ibrahim, Mohd Nasir Che Din, Raden Erus, continue to steadily emerge within their own strength in conventional painting or drawing disciplines to establish their own respective voices. The more experimental artists such as Ahmad Zuraimi Abdul Rahim, Aznan Omar, Mohd Saharuddin Supar, Mohd Radzi Ismail, Mohd Ali Azraie Bebit, Haffendi Anuar, Nizam Abdullah, Anassuwandi Ahmad, Hazrul Mazran Rusli, appeal to the potential of conceptual art. While artists Azharrudin Mappon, Liew Cheng Hua, Mohd Fadly Sabran, Rini Fauzan Mohd Zuhairi, Saiful Razman, Wong Eng Leong and Yim Yen Sum revive a multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional stance to show the currency of installation art. In all, they offer a glimpse of things to come in Malaysia’s contemporary art with groundbreaking new ideas, expressions and innovations presented through a variety of new video art, photography, installation, sculpture and the conventional medium of painting. 

Mohamad Fadly Sabran's Cyber Electro Evolution

The second exhibition is a landmark show, being the first of its kind in Malaysia. Words+Pictures=Book! Contemporary Malaysian Picture Book Illustrations is a process exhibition of 30 original illustrations by 10 distinguished Malaysian illustrators, namely Yusof Ismail a.k.a Yusof Gajah, Azalan Hussain, Shukri Edrus, Jainal Amambing, Awang Fadillah Ali Hussein, Faizal Abdul Jalil, Khairul Azmir Shoib, Emila Yusof, Norazmi Mokhtar and Chong Chin Yew. Under the co-ordination of editor Alimah Salam, their shown works have been published by GALERI PETRONAS as a unique set of 10 picture books to commemorate this exhibition.

The Words+Pictures=Book exhibition offers the Malaysian public an insight into the world of children's picture book illustration through a fascinating exploration which takes viewers into a dynamic, dreamlike and engaging territory, with 10 uniquely Malaysian tales told in different styles. While promising a visual treat for viewers of all levels, the exhibition also serves to elevate the status of Malaysian picture book illustration to a serious art form and inspire new generation illustrators, in recognition of its role in a burgeoning Malaysian art landscape. A unique facet of the exhibition is the displayed process examples demonstrating the illustrators’ entire creative process in the production of picture books. Examples of preliminary sketches and storyboards are shown for a rare behind-the-scenes look at what goes on during the development phase. Much more than a visual display of finished illustrations, the exhibition offers its young visitors a world of different media possibilities which include watercolour, oil, acrylic, woodblock prints, sketch board, collages, ink and pencil drawings. The aim is to promote an understanding of the illustrators’ journey into the children’s world of language and pictures, as well as provide a powerful means of connecting the public with the art of picture book.

According to Encik Medan Abdullah, Senior General Manager of PETRONAS Corporate Services Division (which GALERI PETRONAS is part of) both exhibitions “are forms of artful expressions of collective experiences of Malaysian artists of various disciplines, who have been influenced and nurtured by truly Malaysian elements”.

Awang Fadillah Ali Hussein's Kuching Borneo

“It is indeed GALERI PETRONAS’ aim to encourage the general public to appreciate the diversity of artistic talent inherent in Malaysia through these two exhibitions,” he added.

On the whole, visitors to GALERI PETRONAS’ “CELEBRATE MALAYSIA” exhibitions can expect a vibrant, fun and exciting show by some of Malaysia’s brightest and biggest artistic talents. Various public programmes will also be organised to promote better understanding towards the respective artists and their artworks. The “CELEBRATE MALAYSIA” exhibitions will run until 3 October 2010 and admission is free.