Artists uses 12,000 matchsticks to create zodiac masterpieces
GEORGE TOWN: Galloping into the Year of the Horse, artist Jason Min’s latest body of work moves beyond conventional Chinese brush painting.
His playful yet meticulously crafted artworks, in varied forms and sizes, use unconventional materials such as matchsticks, postage stamps, recycled cardboard, papier-mache (French for “chewed paper”) and eggshells.
Taking centre stage are three embossed horse artworks, painstakingly constructed from about 12,000 matchsticks.
Recently completed, the pieces capture the strength and spirit of the zodiac animal through thousands of tiny fragments, carefully glued and layered to build depth and movement.
“The horses made entirely from matchsticks alone took more than a month to complete, assembling them one stick at a time to shape their form and emotion,” Min said when met at the Penang Art Society’s gallery at the Penang Chinese Town Hall along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling recently.
Also on display is a series of Chinese brush paintings depicting horses in dynamic poses. Several are rendered in gold paint and incorporate the Chinese characters heng, ong and huat, symbolising luck, prosperity and wealth.
Adding a distinctive three- dimensional element are artworks made from postage stamps, each painted on the reverse with auspicious characters.
When viewed from different angles, the layered stamps create shifting perspectives.
Two such pieces are featured in the exhibition, each composed of 49 stamps.
Meanwhile, greeting visitors at the gallery entrance is a 2m-tall prancing horse crafted from recycled cardboard and papier-mache.
“The colourful works reflect the vibrancy of the festive season.
“Stamps once represented the act of sending greetings by mail, something the younger generation rarely does today, but they are worth reminiscing about.
“Through this variety of works, I also hope to promote environmental conservation,” he said.
He added that there are also dozens of other pieces on display, including intricate illustrations drawn inside eggshells, all created exclusively for the Year of the Horse.
Min, 45, said the brand new body of work is inspired by movement, prosperity and joy.
He added that the planning and conceptualising of the works using the different materials, techniques and styles took close to a year.
Several pieces, he said, are still receiving final touches ahead of Chinese New Year.
“My aim is to promote Chinese culture and usher in the festive celebrations through my passion for art,” he said.
Having produced zodiac- themed artworks annually for the past eight years, Min said the effort is driven purely by his love for creative expression.
“This is my hobby.
“I just want to explore different ways of expressing and sharing joy through art for the public to see and appreciate, without any intention of profit.
“Although the artworks are for sale, what matters more is for people to come and enjoy them.
“If any pieces are sold, the proceeds will go to charity,” he said.
The exhibition is open on weekdays when Min is present at the gallery.
To avoid disappointment, visitors are advised to call him at 012-489 3685 prior to arriving.
