Maybank is hosting a month long art exhibition featuring some notable works by Selangor-born artist Goh Ah Ang, renowned for his Chinese paintings on diminutive subjects, such as insects. A total of 37 paintings featuring some of Goh’s works in the last 11 years will offer an opportunity for art lovers and the public to get a glimpse of Goh’s mastery. Goh is one of very few Malaysian artists who has acquired the skill and dexterity using a Chinese brush and style to paint minute insects such as ants where details are preserved, added realism to the subjects painted by the artist.
L-R: Goh, Dato' Salleh Harun and Tan Sri Amirsham A Aziz viewing Goh's paintings at Balai Seni Maybank
The exhibition entitled ‘Art and Ants’ was officially launched by Tan Sri Amirsham A Aziz, Chairman, National Economic Advisory Council today at Balai Seni Maybank, Menara Maybank. Present were Maybank Vice Chairman Dato' Salleh Harun, artist Goh Ah Ang, members of the art community and invited guests.
“Goh has only his observation and artistry skill to create an almost real life visual of these tiny creatures. Looking at his works from afar, they are so life like that you would think he had stuck the ants on the canvas instead of painted them. With only a brush and dipping into his artistic soul, Goh has been able to paint extraordinary details of his subjects and created absorbing artworks of creatures not much bigger than a grain of rice,” said Dato' Salleh Harun in his address.
“The art community, like ants, has an important contribution to society. In a developed society, the arts and artists have their roles in giving a balance to the life of a community. While our nation strives to be a developed society, we must also preserve and advance the rich cultural diversity we possess. In this regard, corporations have a role to ensure its sustainability and for Maybank, we will continue to support it as one of our corporate responsibility initiatives,” added Dato’ Salleh Harun.
Dato’ Salleh Harun also said that the works of Malaysian artists reflect a part of a rich heritage of the Malaysian society. “We hope the public will view the exhibits to appreciate the artistic talents and capabilities the country possesses,” he said.
The paintings at the exhibition are also for sale. Admission to the exhibition is free and the opening times of ‘Arts and Ants’ are as follows:
Date:
May 25 to June 10, 2011
Opening Hours:
10.00 am to 5.00 pm (Monday-Thursday)
10.00 am to 4.45 pm (Friday)
Venue:
Balai Seni Maybank
Level 1, Menara Maybank
100 Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur
Goh Ah Ang has participated in numerous exhibitions worldwide including in Taiwan, China, Japan, Hong Kong, France, the US and Korea. He has received both national and international accolades for his work and some of his pieces are housed in national art galleries and homes of art collectors. Maybank has previously hosted Goh’s works at Balai Seni Maybank in 1995 and 1999.