Sweet tribute to maternal love

(Far left, from left) Das briefing PWDC director Datin Rohana Weiler and Ong on her painting ‘Sheltered in Your Shadow’. (Left) ‘Mother and Child’, a bronze sculpture by Heng.

THE works featured in the ‘Art Exhibition at the Black Box’ at Penang House of Music honour the love of mothers, whether they be human or animals.

Local artists Christine Das and Heng Eow Lin have created 20 paintings and sculptures which celebrate the innate maternal instinct.

Das expresses it in her signature stylised acrylic paintings where countless unbroken lines all coalesce into human and animal forms.

“Each line is made with a single brushstroke and symbolises the lifeline that connects nature and us.

“Because without nature, we wouldn’t exist,” said the former graphics designer turned full-time artist during the opening of the show on level 4 of Komtar last Sunday.

Besides highlighting motherly love, Das’ pieces depict elephants and birds as she is also an advocate of nature conservation.

She is passionate about the protection of wildlife, especially Bornean elephants, and works with both the Borneo Conservation Trust Sabah and WWF Malaysia.

“In the beginning, when I was still searching for my voice on canvas, I came across a group of elephants that was poisoned, orphaning one of their calves.

“From then on, I wanted my art to make a difference in the world,” she said.

The show is jointly organised by Penang House of Music and Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) as part of the latter’s ‘Penang 4 Purple – Press for Progress’ campaign for International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8.

Project manager Emily Chin said the artworks were a tribute to women’s achievements.

PWDC CEO Ong Bee Leng said the campaign celebrated women from all facets of life.

“We hope to create more awareness on the struggles women still have to face today even though we’ve already made great strides forward,” Ong said.

Today, Das will conduct an art workshop and speak about her techniques.

To register, call Chin at 012-4876077 or Dina at 016-7244025.

Penang House of Music director Paul Augustin said there would be a live concert tomorrow to celebrate women in performing arts.

Starting from 3pm, the concert will feature Coleen Read, Viv Adram, Andy Siti, Dasha Logan, the Neon Waves, Sheila and Hara as well as the group Tonal Alchemy.

“We welcome collaborations with anyone who would like to hold shows, workshops or talks here,” said Augustin.

The art exhibition runs until tomorrow.

It is open for viewing between 11am and 6pm. Admission is free.

For enquiries, call 012-2157984 or 04-2612835.