En Plein Air Program
in conjunction with
Southeast Asia Watercolour Exhibition
(30 October - 1 November 2020)
In conjunction with the Southeast Asia Watercolour Exhibition (PACA) held in National Art Gallery Langkawi Malaysia from 16 September till 30 November 2020, organizer has invited selected artists to a en plein air program led by four Malaysian artists, i.e. Abey Zoul and Azman Nor (founder of Gangsta Watakala), Calvin Chua (president of Malaysian Watercolour Society, MWS) and Maamor Jantan.
The en plein air program, held from 30 October till 1 November 2020 in Langkawi Island, was participated by about 30 persons including artists from different states, program administrators and staffs of National Art Gallery. Due to the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) implemented by government of Malaysia to face pandemic COVID-19, participants followed strictly the standard operating procedure to obtain traveling permission besides practicing social distancing and wearing masks at most of the time during the 3 days 2 nights program.
Program started with registration and briefing by organizer after all participants checked in to Simfoni Resort on 30th October. In the evening, all participants attended the opening ceremony and enjoyed light moment with guests and visitors.
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| Working space for briefing, discussion and etc. |
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| Malaysian artists who led the program. From left to right, Abey Zoul, Azman Nor, Maamor Jantan and Calvin Chua. |
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| Briefing of program to participating artists |
Opening ceremony of Southeast Asia Watercolour Exhibition (PACA) was held in National Art Gallery Langkawi Malaysia on 30 October 2020 at 8.30pm. The ceremony was officiated by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Cultures Malaysia, YB Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri.
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| Welcome speech by Director-General of National Art Gallery Malaysia, YBrs. Mr. Amerrudin Ahmad, during opening ceremony |
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Launching speech by Minister of Tourism, Arts And Culture Malaysia, YB Dato' Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri |
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Launching of exhibition publication by Chairman of the National Visual Art Development Board, Ybhg. Datuk Tom Abang Saufi |
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Chairman of the National Visual Art Development Board, Ybhg. Datuk Tom Abang Saufi, visits exhibition and accompanied by Mr. Maamor Jantan (left, artist), Mr. Syahrul Niza (middle, exhibition curator) and Mr. Calvin Chua (right, President of MWS) |
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Artists who attended opening ceremony. From left to right: Delaila, Shireen Lee, Maamor Jantan, Yeo Eng Peng, Lee Chin Chian, Calvin Chua, Aminah Abd Rahman and Pady R Fadzilah. |
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| Opening ceremony |
On early morning of 31st October, participants equipped with painting tools and materials, set off for Tuba Island by boats for en plein air. Tuba Island, a hilly island besides the main Langkawi Island, is located 5 kilometers from Kuah town and can be reached by a 20 minutes boat ride. Waves splashing on boats, an ocean breeze puts a mind at ease, artists' inspiration flow freely in the air and ready to brush colours creatively on papers.
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| Set off for Tuba Island from jetty in Kuah town | |
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| Arriving Tuba Island |
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| Tanjung Pandan in Tuba Island |
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| Tables and chairs set up for visitors to enjoy food sold by hawker |
Upon arriving jetty of Tuba Island, organizing committees led participating artists to Tanjung Pandan, the first spot for en plein air painting. Due to Movement Control Order, the area appeared quiet and calm with two simple food stalls selling seafood noodles, local food and drinks beside the rocky beach with no tourist. Without delay, artists scatter to look for ideal views and set up easels for painting. Work intently, artists spread pigments skillfully in various techniques to bring out individualistic styles.
Time passes silently. Views either from same or different angles gradually be portrayed clearly on watercolour papers. While artists are eagerly finishing their last strokes, publicity and promotion team members of National Art Gallery take the opportunity to interview and record artists' words and moment in painting. Visit from Chairman of the National Visual Art Development Board, Ybhg. Datuk Tom Abang Saufihas liven up the atmosphere.
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| Artists in action |
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| Painting in progress |
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| me, concentrating on my work... |
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| Discussion and sharing led by group mentor |
First en plein air seesion ended for lunch break in noon. Everyone enjoys plate of noodles or rice with seafood of own choice that served with spicy curry. It's time to regain energy and to refresh mind before proceeding to the next painting spot.
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| Curry noodles with prawns |
Paddy field with a herd of buffaloes, the second spot for en plein air, welcome us with wide open view. Everyone is exciting and wish to capture the creatures in close range. However, the plain with no shade make everyone exposing to extreme heat and direct sunlight that could cause dehydration and heatstroke.
We looks for ideal places respectively to set up easels. Some sit besides shrubs while others paint under makeshift shelter or roadside hawker stall built with zinc planks roof and wooden pillars.
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| View of the plain |
Despite the unbearable heat, artists paint what they see, what they feel and what has inpired them with high spirit once again. Everyone immerses himself or herself in creating awesome masterpieces and thus turns the hot day to quietness and stillness.
Two hours pass, feeling of satisfaction is noticeable on everyone's face. Even a little exhausted, we manage to produce paintings at our best. Group photography with completed artworks holding on hands, artists smile and cheer to end the program in Tuba Island before returning to Kuah town.
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| Me with Calvin (middle) and Yeo (right) |
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| Painting in progress |
Night falls, participating artists gather at National Art Gallery Langkawi to attend demonstration session by group mentors. Four mentors, through their personal styles and different ways of expression, splash colours vividly on four pieces of large size Arches watercolour paper respectively. Techniques and knowledge sharing by mentors has made the night meaningful.
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| Artist Maamor Jantan demonstrating his dragonfly series |
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| Artist Calvin Chua with his expression flows freely on paper |
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| Artist Abey Zoul concentrating on his masterpiece |
The next day, 1st November, energy regained and everyone wake up early for another en plein air session at Jetty Bukit Malut. We pass through a big Rohingya refugees settlement area before arriving jetty. Fishing boats of various sizes and bight colours anchored along the shore making it a pleasant view for artists to paint. Without delay, we spot ideal scene, start working and capture the moment with brushes and pigments.
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Participating artists posed for photography |
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| My almost completed artwork done at Jetty Bukit Malut |
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| Me, painting in progress |
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| Being interviewd by Mr. Zazlan from National Art Gallery |
Click here for interview of artists by National Art Gallery during en plein air at Jetty Bukit Malut
En plein air activity at Jetty Bukit Malut ends in the noon and we back to gallery for sharing session. All artworks are spread out on floor for viewing and exchanging of comments. Through sincere feedback, It foster learning and sense of self-improvement.
Before ending this meaningful 3 days 2 nights program, a simple closing ceremony with presentation of certificates of participation to participating artists by Director of National Art Gallery (NAG) Langkawi is held. The effort and dedication of curatorial team and staffs of NAG is very much appreciated. It's truly a fruitful profram during hard time of pandemic COVID-19 indeed. Bravo to all.
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| Group photography |
TILL WE MEET AGAIN,
LET'S KEEP PAINTING.
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