Read between the lines
The Star Friday December 25, 2009
IF you happen to be within the George Town heritage enclave on weekends, chances are, you might come across graphic designer Ch’ng Kiah Kiean hard at work making sketches of the historic buildings.
Growing up in the area, he developed a natural affinity for the buildings. When he started doing sketches a decade ago, the old shophouses and quaint streetscapes within the heritage enclave — something close to his heart — became the subject of most of his works.
When he’s not at his computer designing cutting-edge graphics, he spends his free time on the simpler form of art and always has a sketchbook at hand when he goes travelling.
With pencil in one hand and paper laid out before him, he starts sketching and an hour or two later, the artwork is complete.
While he knows that some people might view pencil sketching as monotone, he believes the interplay of lines, shades and shadows lend some depth and complexity akin to fine art.
Gaining his academic qualifications in the field of architecture before moving on to graphic designing later in his career, the 35-year-old Penangite felt his architectural background imbued him with a deeper appreciation of structures and allowed him to view his environment differently.
“It has helped me understand building elements and I can pick up things which people don’t usually pay attention to. It’s as if the buildings speak to me.
“When you go out to sketch, you can see many things that you never notice while driving,” said Ch’ng, who has aspirations of becoming a full-time artist later on.
A collection of 40 pieces of Ch’ng’s works, all done this year, will be on display in his third solo exhibition, aptly named ‘Line-Line Cerita’, at the Galeri Seni Mutiara on Armenian Street from Sunday until Jan 10.
The opening ceremony on Sunday will also see the launching of ‘Sketches of Pulo Pinang’, a 180-page book featuring Ch’ng’s works over the years.
Gallery director Koay Soo Kau said that unlike a photographer, a sketch artist like Ch’ng was able to choose certain elements to emphasise on, exaggerating certain lines and omitting others, to focus attention to a particular part of the scene.
“The dark and light lines show perspective and form, an interplay between space and object. The feel of the line is important, and Ch’ng is someone who’s very meticulous and particular in that aspect,” Koay added.
The gallery is open daily from 11am to 6pm. For information, call 04-2620167.
