NN Gallery is proud to present an exhibition by renowned artist Cheong Laitong entitled "Selected Works from 1960-2004". The exhibition opens on 12 September 2004 and continues till 30th September. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to view some of the most important and rarely seen works by one of Malaysia's pioneer abstract expressionist.
This uncompromising collection of over 40 years work, selected by NN Gallery, is a look at the earliest development of artistic style in contemporary Malaysian art. The body of work will highlight some never before exhibited works from as early as 1960s till the present day from the artist's personal collection. Comprised of large-scale canvasses, a signature of the artist who rarely paints small, this seminal exhibition presents a journey of Laitong's art through the decades.
Laitong is essentially an abstract painter, delving deep in expressionist values and codes. He draws inspiration from nature and our environment. Recognised for his abstracted renderings of stylised figures for his winning entry for the mural of Museum Negara Malaysia, and numerous award at Salon Malaysia in his early career, Laitong was destined for acclamation.
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With numerous accolades and international exhibitions abroad, it is unsurprising that a number of his artworks are collected around the region. This exhibition therefore is a perfect opportunity to view some of his personal treasures that have eluded us.
This exhibition showcases a collection of Laitong’s ideas and aesthetics from early calligraphic swirls in the 60s, to works inspired from his painting trips to off beaten tracks in Malaysia in the 70s which resulted in a period of monumental executed canvases, to the drip paintings of the 80s to the more recent mystical Voices of Nature in the 90s; an in-depth study of the rainforest showing a new technical departure in his work; a marriage of photography and painting, and to the colourful Spirit of Huangshan series painted in 2003 celebrating the magical yellow Mountains.
His art over the years continues to be daring, spontaneous and challenging. Laitong defies the conventions of looking at art and shuns fashionable art trends. His colour palette remains bold and intense, a symbol of his spirited relationship with art. Cheong Laitong attacks his canvasses with passion, ideas of reason and exploration which in turn culminates in a myriad of visual delight packed with emotions and sensuality.
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