"True intentions flow from stillness.”
With that in mind, Penang-based artist Sharon Kow Siew Suan marks her first solo exhibition titled Still, featuring coloured pencils.
Although used by almost every person at some point in their lives, coloured pencils are still a novelty in fine art and, as Kow would say, somewhat unpopular.
“Coloured pencils? There was a time when no gallery would want my work, ” says Kow.
Noticing that the medium was popular abroad, Kow began her coloured pencil art journey seven years ago by hooking up with international art communities online.
In July 2016, she became the first artist from South-East Asia to earn a signature status from the Colored Pencil Society of America and also holds a master status from the Coloured Pencil Community of Australasia Inc and is a registered member of the International Guild of Realism.
Staying true to her favoured art medium from her school days, Kow says she opted for coloured pencils as it was an emerging style in the art world.
“I don’t follow trends. I tell people, maybe I can make new trends, ” she smiles.
Back to basics
Born in Alor Gajah in Melaka, Kow grew up all over the country as her father worked for the Royal Malaysia Police.
Being the eldest child in the family, she entered the workforce straight out of secondary school and became an assistant in a law firm.
“Art is something I’ve always wanted to do but my parents saw it as something that could not pay the bills and that is understandable.
“Eventually, I got married and became a full-time mum to my daughter. Seven years ago, at the age of 43, I had the opportunity to do what I’ve wanted to do, ” says Kow.
By that time, Kow and her family had settled in Penang from Kuala Lumpur.
Kow hit the Internet in her quest to search for a focus to her art aspirations.
“I was thinking, what type of art (should I do)? I didn’t want to embark on a hobby; I wanted something that would be a career for me.
“I thought of oil painting, but for that, you need a proper, large outdoor studio, ” she recalls.
Eventually, her sights turned to coloured pencils, but online searches for local artists using the medium in Malaysia and Singapore came up short.
“I’ve been using coloured pencils since secondary school. My teacher was very good. Instead of discouraging me and asking me to use things like poster colours, he said stick with what you do well.
“(Later) I decided to Google ‘coloured pencil art’ and the art was amazing! When people see my art now, they think: ‘No way is that coloured pencils’,” says Kow.
Through online art groups, she learnt about the different brands, paper and techniques used in coloured pencil art.
Grabbing every opportunity she could, Kow submitted her works to numerous competitions and international online exhibitions and eventually, was selected by a magazine to have her work published.
“It was an unpaid arrangement but I needed to get my work out there.
“I realised that if people can accept coloured pencils (in fine art) here locally, it can be something big. But I had to prove myself, ” she says.
The patience and hard work slowly paid off and about two years ago, people started to take note of Kow’s art.
Stillness speaks
Like other full-time artists, Kow – playfully dubbed the “Colour Pencil Queen” by some of her online followers – works daily, putting in long hours to commissioned work or expanding her skills.
Still, on display at the G Art Gallery in Penang until Dec 21, features 20 of her realism pieces that embody a spirit of clarity and balance. Using rocks, pebbles, feathers and dried leaves in her works, Kow depicts various human emotions and states of being.
Yield, with a heart-shaped rock suspended by a hook on a fraying rope, invites viewers to allow things to occur on their own while Awakening captures a masterful reflection of light bouncing off a tower of rocks.
Gentleness illustrates a white-on-white creation while Kow captures beauty in the simplicity of a reflection in works like Insight and Poise.
“I have received several invitations to do solo exhibitions abroad, but never in Malaysia.
“So, when I received the invitation to do a solo art exhibition in Penang, I was in a state of disbelief. I started working on the series in September last year and finished the last three pieces during the movement control order (MCO) period, ” says Kow.
She mentions that coloured pencil works are a relatively slow art form as layer upon layer of colour needs to be added to achieve the final shade desired.
“You cannot premix colours with coloured pencils. Sometimes, you need 12 to 15 layers to bring out the colour.
“People often ask if the colour will fade but the kind of pencils and paper we use aren’t the usual type that can easily be bought in stores, ” shares Kow.
For example, the set Kow used for a demonstration during the launch of Still cost RM800 – an average of RM6 a pencil – and is oil-based and lightfast, ensuring that the pigment will not fade or be discoloured.
Kow says the works displayed in the exhibition took each an average of five days to two weeks to complete.
“It’s a very meditative process. With every piece I do, I learn something. But I will never go back and do the same piece again. I can’t, the moment is gone, ” she says.
On her next steps, Kow says after immersing herself in realism and contemporary realism over the last seven years, she plans to foray into the world of surrealistic art.
Her medium, however, will remain unchanged.
“There’s so much more to explore. If you ask me, aren’t you bored? Or don’t you want to explore more with other mediums? I’d say no, I think I have a lot more to explore with pencils.
“The bottom line is with me, it’s always been art. Art is something you can do for life. Every piece is a learning experience and I don’t plan to ever stop, ” she concludes.
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