Alex Ong Boon Hau stages his first ever solo
exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, after a successful showing in
Wellington, New Zealand. His recent collection of works shows his
passion and love for nature, especially for wild flowers found in
New Zealand. He paints a series of elegant and serene floral
images using watercolours in various interpretations and
expressions creating different moods for the changing seasons of
the year.
This exhibition will present a collection of watercolours from
1990 till present day depicting wild flowers such as the yarrow,
wild carrot, cockscomb, Californian poppies and wild roses found
in the meadows and country-sides of New Zealand. Also a member of
the Nature Society and various international watercolour
societies, Alex Ong Boon Hau has long been fascinated by the
intrinsic beauty of nature which is reflected in over fifty of his
recent works.
Alex Ong Boon Hau uses a combination of Western and Eastern
watercolour techniques. The Western ideals to create depth and
perspective and the Eastern to express form, control and
discipline in the use of this medium. The marriage of the two
styles presents an innovative take on the traditional whilst
preserving the grace and elegance of watercolours.
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He portrays these wild
flowers in a combination of movements, like a summer breeze,
raindrops and morning dews and even the falling of leaves that are
reminiscent of notes to music or a chorus of melodies. "Wild
flowers have a character of their own, because they grow in the
wild and almost often unattended to, they are survivors, strong,
independent and quite often sumptuous." His portrayals of
these wild "characters" are suggestive of a choir in
quiet conversation, as good as whispering and sometimes seen as in
the midst of dance, full of movement and charm.
The colours are reflective of the changing of the seasons.
Different shades of greens and ultramarine for spring, burning
ambers and oranges for autumn, splashes of rainbow colours for
summer and subtle hues for the season of winter, minoring the
different moods and tones of nature.
His recent works are indeed a celebration as well as showing his
passion for flora and fauna alluding to grace, harmony and moments
of tranquility. This exhibition tells of his solitary journeys to
find peace of mind and oneness with nature, resulting in an unique
and resplendent look at flowers.
Syed Nabil Syed Nahar
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