Creativity interpreted

“CREATIVITY is the ability to create something inspirational out of the most ordinary things,” says Galeri Petronas guest curator Ernst Chin. Together with curator Ratna Siti Akbari, the pair adds to the creative energy that the artistic works exude, inspiring visitors at Galeri Petronas’ latest art exhibition, Goodearth: Expressions of Creative Energy.
EXPLORING GOODEARTH
Said to be a thought-provoking exhibition that explores the intangible energy of creativity and the relationship betweenman and nature, Goodearth is also postulated to bear influences of different times and periods from the East and West.
“Countries like Indonesia and the Philippines have had a 300-year head-start, influenced by their Dutch and Spanish colonial past. Malaysian art, on the other hand, is strongly rooted in literature, its social strata lineage blurring the fine line between folk art and fine art. This has evolved with the Chinese, Indian, Arabic and Western influences and all these transfers have enriched us culturally and artistically,” Ratna says.
Goodearth, she adds, explores the different disciplines of science, mathematics, technology and the arts. It aims to open minds to the possibilities of nurturing innovation and creativity, at the same time serve as a reminder to manage Earth’s resources in a responsible manner.
While this exhibition explores both the intangible creative spirit, it also examines the mathematical and calculable quantum.
“I strongly believe that inspiration can come from anywhere, be it nature, values of society, human interaction, allegorical, historical and political events, even mathematical calculations. Still, the culmination of some or all of these will still not produce a work of art without the creativity imbued by the artist in its unique manners,” Chin adds.
ARTISTIC JOURNEY
The exhibition starts with a collection of Malay-inspired everyday cultural artefacts, those bearing influence in the works of artists - Raja Shahriman and Mad Anuar Ismail. Visitors will then light upon sculptures founded on Islamic mathematics and geometry by artists Ramlan Abdullah and Multhalib Musa.
Further along the journey, works by notable artists of the Modern Movement, especially the Bauhaus, will captivate. From optical art pieces by Victor Vasarely and glass works by Adolf Loos, Western influenced artforms are up next, from local artists like Tan Beng Keng, who emerged during the Malayan-independence period.
Recounting the evolution of the local art scene, this part of the “journey” reflects works of Malaysian artists who began to explore their roots and culture. Majestic pieces such as Sharmiza Abu Hassan’s installation, a four-piece sculpture called “The Covenant” intrigues. See how she interprets a passage from The Malay Annals on Hang Nadim, who saved the coastline of Singapore from the attack of swordfish.
Visual poetry is not forgotten as the exhibition includes a grand collection of inspiring and impacting photographs. The visually exciting and beautiful images are those captured by Asia’s renowned Eric Peris, Soraya Talismail, Yusoff Othman and Radzi Hanif.
A sculpture that will surely catch one’s eye is an alien-like creation made from plastic cable ties by Latiff Padzali. The artistic installation simply identifies with the theme and title of the exhibition, surmising all it represents – creating extraordinary from the ordinary, demonstrating creativity and imagery across the disciplines of science, math, technology and art.
AIM AND INTENTION
While the intent of the exhibition is to showcase the works of these creative geniuses, they are also aimed at inspiring the onlooker to form their own interpretation of art and form, and through it, receive visual stimulation and enlightenment of the mind. For the fellow artists, Goodearth hopes to inspire and bring about more stimulating creations.
The exhibition at Petronas Gallery, Level 3, Suria KLCC, is open to the public from May 2 until July 30. Admission is free.
Gallery doors open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm. During Ramadan, opening hours are from 10am to 5pm.
This exhibition is the brainchild of Petronas, the nation’s oil and gas company, which advocates the culture of innovation in its approach to business, simultaneously inspiring visitors through its various art exhibitions. Visit the Galeri Petronas website, its Facebook or Twitter online platforms for more information.