Sabahan artist’s works also recognised in China

Kota Kinabalu: It is not often that one hears stories of Sabahan artists getting their works auctioned in China but David Liew is an exception.
Liew is the chairman of the Chinese Ink Painting Society Malaysia, Sabah branch and the founder of Bamboo Art studio, whose works are valued up to RM32,000.

He has held seven solo exhibitions locally and abroad and also picked up numerous awards, such as the Creative Award of “The World Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition” in China, the Selected Medal Award of The 99 Emperor Yan’s International Exhibition in China’s Hunan, and many more throughout his illustrious career over the past decades.

He is expected to take part in an auction sale in China at the end of this year organised by the Chinese Culture Information Association from China.

His works using mostly ink and water-based colour on paper, largely on traditional tableaus, mostly landscapes of Sabah’s flora and fauna also captured the interest of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

“Liew is not only an expert in Chinese ink, but his work is recognised in China where many of his artworks have been exhibited in the republic along with other renowned artists in the same Chinese ink…

“This is what makes us proud as not many painters in Malaysia and Sabah for that matter, had been given such recognition (to see their work auctioned in China),” he said.

Masidi said this during the opening of Liew’s Chinese Ink Painting Solo Art Exhibition here on Friday at the Sabah Art Gallery.

Also present were Sabah Cultural Board Chairman Tan Sri Wences Angang, Chinese consul-general Chen Peijie and also Sabah Art Gallery Director Jennifer P. Linggi.

He said another thing that makes Liew’s work deserve the recognition was that all of his art themes were based on Sabah’s nature and animals.

“This was the base of his art work and for example, Liew uses orchid, orang utan, mangrove trees and others.

“This shows that although his name is now recognised in China, he is still proud to be a Malaysian from Sabah,” he said.

Towards this end, Masidi is confident that the exposure of his work in China would bring in more tourists from China to visit Sabah to explore the truth behind Liew’s artworks.

Liew’s works will be exhibited at the Sabah Art Gallery until Sept 2.

Source: Daily Express