Art + Culture | Malaysia + Southeast Asia

06.17.2009

Review: Two Three Six, by Chen Wei Meng at Wei-Ling Gallery

"Rantau Abang", Acrylic on canvas, 129.5cm x 162.5cm, 2008, Image Courtesy of Wei-Ling Gallery

Two Three Six at Wei Ling Gallery (1-24 June, 2009) satisfies with good old fashioned quality, quantity, attractiveness and emotiveness, convincing me that this painter is of a type that is rare to Asia, less rare in the West. Choosing a subject he has found to be personally important, Wei Meng both represents Malaysia and taps into a cross-cultural arena, with an admirable understanding of the value of landscape painting.

"Kuala Besut", Acrylic on canvas, 92cm x 244cm, 2008, Image Courtesy of Wei-Ling Gallery

This show is the culmination of an eight month journey through Terengganu, over which time the artist sketched, pondered, and photographed references to that which he intended to capture later on canvas. Terengganu is also the artist’s homeland, and such a personal stamp in art is never to be taken lightly. It is worth noting too, the significance of taking references back to the studio, rather than painting plein-air. Both approaches offer a different contribution to the art world. The deceptive simplicity of his works, void of controversy, combined with photorealism – a phenomen now so common it has developed a reputation of ‘tackiness’ - allow Wei Meng to be his own quiet, talented self. The 44 year old, who has taken part in group shows at the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur and Seoul Museum of Art, Korea, apparently doesn’t fuel hype or interpretation of his art.

"Jambu Bongkok", Acrylic on canvas, 129.5cm x 162.5cm, 2008, Image Courtesy of Wei-Ling Gallery

A few works in lens-curvature panorama are a highlight. The naturalism in colour brightens the viewer’s day, instantly transporting them to a beach under a wide-open sky. The perspective leaves an imprint, land that reaches out to the viewer and under their feet, so they cannot escape the questions come to mind when one has nowhere left to go. If you have reached an edge, you must contemplate what is before you, or contemplate turning back. Also, there is no one around… are you lost? Are you trying to be alone? To humans, nature and scenery evoke gut-reactions and the location can be both relevant and irrelevant at the same time. That is, for all their stunning Malaysian-ness, these pieces also take you elsewhere, making it an ideal local exhibition. So, nothing is missing from two three six. The show honours the skill of painting, and undoubtedly the major benefit to visitors is that, intentionally or not, Wei Meng’s love of Terengganu brings up those old favourites of, you guessed it, light and space. (SW)

"Gong Balai", Acrylic on canvas, 129.5cm x 162.5cm, 2008, Image Courtesy of Wei-Ling Gallery

Two Three Six continues at Wei-Ling Gallery, 8 Jalan Scott, Brickfields until 24 June. 

For more images and info click here

Suraya Warden is an International Art Consultant with Honours in Art History & Curatorship. For work, she enjoys helping people build art collections and writes freelance on fashion and art.