In a handkerchief, artist captures the tactile nature of the world around her

A close-up of Chong's 'Ephemera No. 10' (embroidery and beads on handkerchief, 2021). Photo: The Back Room KL

For a hiker and nature lover, an artist residency at Rimbun Dahan in Selangor sounded like a perfect getaway during a pandemic.

Chong Yi Lin spent four months at the arts space, surrounded by greenery, last year. The works she created there are now showcased in her solo exhibition, Garden Of The Mind, at The Back Room in Kuala Lumpur.

“Being with nature builds me up in a way that feels pure and true. Different kinds of plants seem to tell different stories. I started hiking while studying in Taiwan and I have never felt as small as I did during hiking. And the most addicting part is, there is always something new around each bend, some unknown thrown our way,” says Chong, 30.

She received her diploma in Fine Arts from the Dasein Academy of Arts in Malaysia, in 2013, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Taipei National University of Arts in Taiwan, in 2019.

In 2015, she had her first solo exhibition, Ashes Of Time, at Lostgens’ contemporary art space in KL.

Garden Of The Mind, a presentation of paintings, textile works and drawings is her second solo show, which expands her artistic craft.

The woody-looking Sterculia Pods are Chong Yi Lin’s favourite discovery during her residency at Rimbun Dahan. Photo: Chong Yi Lin

“Rimbun Dahan is special, I got to know a lot of indigenous plants when I was there. I wondered what would happen during this opportunity to spend time with nature during the pandemic... create something and look for an epiphany?

“And then I realised that the truth is always there. It arises, changes and disappears. Time goes by in an instant, flowers bloom and fade, I have joy and sorrow. Each time I walked into the garden, it always surprised me,” she recalls.

Spiritual growth

Interestingly, Chong connects nature with emptiness and death, perhaps a reflection of the insecurity that nature can provoke.

“To be honest, I was in a state of panic and depression after I completed this series of works in Rimbun Dahan. The feeling of death and grief can seem overwhelming at that moment. It is indescribable. It was partly affected by the question, ‘Who am I?’ Therefore, I look upon this series of work as a milestone of spiritual growth,” she shares.

Chong’s 'Plant Drawing Collage No. 666' (pencil on paper, 2021). Photo: The Back Room KL

During her residency, Chong transformed plants into pigment for painting, a process she found rather fun as she got some unexpected colours from this exercise.

The variety of plants found at Rimbun Dahan piqued her curiosity and provided her with endless hours of entertainment.

“I am interested in strange-looking plants and the shape of flowers, leaves and seeds bought me a lot of imagination. Dried Sterculia seed pod is my favourite collection in Rimbun Dahan. It looks unique like human organs,” she says.

In her new series of embroidery works in this exhibition, she sews plants, fruits, seeds and flowers on handkerchiefs, inspired by the sights and sounds around her.

'Ephemera No. 1' (embroidery and beads on handkerchief, 2021). Photo: The Back Room KL

Chong has used thread to “draw” in her art practice since 2015, enjoying its tactility and also benefiting from its portability.

“I did not have a fixed working place in the past few years. As a result, I worked on a smaller scale and on foldable pieces so I can easily carry my work with me anywhere at any time.

“Threads and lines are vulnerable and soft, and I can feel the intimacy. It is also an important part of our lives. I always have the urge to touch things, I enjoy the feel of things between my fingers. I find this act of ‘feeling’ to be therapeutic, it fascinates me to create textures. I wonder how people cope with the feeling of being able to see, but not touch – just like how adults always say to children,” she says.

Tempting as it may be, no, visitors cannot touch Chong’s colourful embroidered works at the exhibition – but you can certainly feast your eyes on them.

Garden Of The Mind is on at The Back Room, Zhongshan Building in Kuala Lumpur till March 6. Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 6pm. More info here.