‘My work is a love letter to travel – an open invitation to step outside your comfort zone and see the world through someone else’s eyes,’ says Sense, who has added a Malaysian flavour to his new series of paintings. Photo: The Star/Samuel Ong
At Zhan Art Space in Petaling Jaya, the duo exhibition Rojak explores the creative collision of two artists from different disciplines and continents, resulting in a sensory feast of visuals, sounds, and shared stories.
Nigel Sense, an Australian artist who calls Penang home when not travelling, and Jean Tong, a Malaysian writer and theatre/screen director based in Melbourne, have teamed up for a cross-cultural exploration in Rojak.
The two artists were brought together by Desmond Tong, founder and curator of Zhan Art Space, who aimed to challenge traditional notions of what an art exhibition can be.
Jean is Tong’s youngest sister.
“We are used to seeing artworks hung on walls – but what if we could also hear them?” says Tong.
“As a writer and director, Jean was able to script conversations that were then transformed into soundscapes, giving audiences a different sensory experience that matches Nigel’s work. The response has been very positive - the soundscapes complement the vibe and aesthetic of Nigel’s artworks, creating a fuller, more unique exhibition experience,” he adds.
Sense's artwork 'No Durians Allowed' (acrylic on canvas, 2024) nails a classic travel rule - your fruit’s too funky for public spaces. Photo: Nigel Sense
This (free admission) exhibition, running until April 27, reflects the fusion of their unique perspectives – one rooted in visual art, the other in storytelling and performance – creating a space where boundaries blur.
The gallery at Zhan Art Space is stirred by Sense’s colourful paintings, recalling the impact of his Kopi Jackfruit Monkey exhibition at the George Town Festival last July, which spotlighted a Pulau Tikus kopitiam.
The Wollongong-born artist’s 17 new paintings in Rojak are brought to life with Jean’s experimental recordings, including coffee shop chatter, kitchen clatter, and other everyday noises.
Some of Sense's acrylic on canvas titles are sure to bring a smile - especially playful ones like Strong Coffee Plastic Chairs, Soy Sauce Makes Me Thirsty, Mangosteen Puff, Sambal Belacan, and 102 Year Old Chef.
It’s also a chance to introduce his artworks to Klang Valley audiences, while Jean’s soundscapes - an hour-long - offer a vivid reminder of the creative talent we have abroad.
For the Rojak series, Sense created pieces inspired by the sensory overload of travel, the visual and emotional disorientation of waking up in a new place every day and experiencing the world anew.
“This is the first time I’ve used a soundscape alongside my paintings. It’s given my work a more performative quality, adding a visceral layer to the viewing experience, making it feel more alive, more real,” says Sense, whose works are inspired by abstract expressionists and Pop Art.
His first encounter with Malaysia began just before the pandemic, starting in Kuala Lumpur and eventually reaching Penang. The island captivated him with its rich history, intricate architecture, laid-back lifestyle, and, most importantly, its food – hence the title of his exhibition.
“This collaboration felt like the dish itself, it reflected the kopitiam vibe, gritty and alive, where most of my inspiration comes from, the conversations people have while eating, the stories they share,” he adds.
Sense also shares his inspiration behind a new work titled Michelin Battle Royale, one of the highlights of the Rojak show.
‘This exhibition shows how learning about others helps us understand ourselves better,’ says Jean Tong, a Malaysian theatre practitioner based in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Jean Tong
“Every Grab ride I’ve ever had. Every driver, without fail, wants to talk food. You think that’s the best chicken rice? Let me show you where the real deal is. And just like that, we’re off-course, an extra 10 minutes, all so I can know where the best chicken rice is. It’s a strange kind of bond, this food obsession. In the end, you stop caring about the destination,” he says.
Although the pandemic temporarily halted his travels, Sense continued to embrace the unknown. He has now turned his gaze locally, drawing inspiration from the landscape and culture of Penang’s old Chinese shophouses.
“My work is a love letter to travel – an open invitation to step outside your comfort zone and see the world through someone else’s eyes. We get so caught up in our routines that we forget what it feels like to be uncomfortable, to stumble upon something new and let it shake us a little,” he says.
The Rojak exhibition also marks a continuation of Sense’s collaboration with Zhan Art Space, which showcased his works during last October’s CIMB Artober: Art and Soul event.
Sense’s work 'Strong Coffee, Plastic Chairs' is a tribute to his local kopitiam, where 'coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s a ritual.' Photo: Nigel Sense
For Jean, the collaboration stemmed from Sense’s openness and curiosity. It prompted her to reflect on the differences and overlaps between their creative practices – painting and writing.
“We landed on the idea of transforming the gallery into a world that reflects the themes in Nigel’s paintings. To do so, I wrote the scenes for the soundscapes, and worked with Australian musician James Gales (better known as Lighthouser) to bring them to life,” says Jean, an associate artist at Melbourne Theatre Company, who will be directing the world premiere of Benjamin Law’s adaptation of Dying: A Memoir for the 2025 Season in October.
Though she’s more accustomed to theatre stages and TV series projects in Australia, working in a gallery space brings its own thrill for her.
In the Rojak exhibition, Jean’s looping soundscapes ensure that each visitor’s experience is slightly different, shaped by where they enter and how they move through the space.
In his new series, Sense also paints portraits of people he encountered on his travels - like the spirited '102 Year Old Chef'. Photo: Nigel Sense
“The aural accompaniment ensures each person’s experience is distinct – a reminder of how we naturally seek connection with others, no matter when or where we encounter something unfamiliar.
“We also hope the soundscapes bring out the dry humour and playfulness in Nigel’s art,” she says.
Despite their different backgrounds, both artists share a common experience of building creative lives beyond their home countries.
“I felt that the conversations in Nigel’s pieces weren’t so different from things I often find myself discussing in Australia. We all live in a world where we love the same things (food, sport, complaining) and share the same concerns (climate, economy). We’re all just trying to make good decisions and survive an increasingly complicated world – and that transcends borders,” she concludes.
Before the exhibition ends, Zhan Art Space and Study Melbourne will host an art workshop tomorrow (April 19), where Sense will share his journey and guide participants through a hands-on painting session.
