In 1997, the Malaysian Handicraft Board set up an artist colony at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex along Jalan Conlay. It opened its doors to a handful of full-time artists, who were previously producing their works independently. Like any other young artists, this seemed like the best break for them, allowing them to be able to produce and sell in the most conducive surroundings, i.e. the only artist colony in its true sense in the country.
Among the artists who managed to get a place at the colony were Zainurin Mohammed a.k.a. Ajis, Harris Ribut a.k.a. Ayis, A.Shukri Elias a.k.a. Shook, Maamor Jantan a.k.a. More, Nizar Kamarul Ariffin , Samsuddin Mohammed a.k.a. Sam, Kamaruddin Talib, Adeputra and Hairani Mohammed a.k.a. Ronnie.
This group of artists has now received a boost by being provided with their own gallery, aptly named Art Colony, located on Level 4 of the Starhill Shopping Centre in Bintang Walk. The gallery is run by the artists themselves, and at any time you will find some of them at work there. This is YTL Corporation’s contribution to art, which the company believes is an important alternative communication tool. In particular, it is the recognition of the world-class talent we have in Malaysian artists.
Although they each have various styles and approaches in producing art, these artists have managed to live and work together, supporting and inspiring each other. The main bonding factor, apart from sharing the same time and space at the colony, is their sincere and pure passion in art. Their diversity is evident not only in their individual styles, expressions and mediums; their history and background prove that these artists’ differences are more than skin deep. Some underwent formal art education, obtaining academic qualifications and even lecturing on art at higher institutions of learning; whereas a few of them are self-taught, producing their work based on raw talent, patience and practice. Many of them have dedicated their life to art, working on it fulltime and earning a living through it, irrespective of their form, for the past ten to fifteen years.
Yet, they share so much in common – the most obvious being their high degree of visual-making skills, passion and intellectualism in their art. Another interesting highlight of this group is the relationship each member has with the group and between each other. They see themselves forming a union that is structured more like a close-knit family rather than a profession-bound group – they share and inspire each other while producing individual artworks in harmony.
Since the very beginning of the Arts Colony, the artists have been actively involved with local art activities, from the Art Bazaar organised by the National Art Gallery and other institutions, to the small-scale exhibitions held throughout the country to promote art to the people who live away from the cities. Each of them takes part in these activities unselfishly, putting aside their individual efforts for achievement to work collectively as a group. May God bless this group's efforts and help enrich our lives further with great artworks. There is little doubt that this group is passionately carving their presence in the history of Malaysian art.
(A. Shukri Elias) |