Sarawakian Gerald Goh enters Malaysia Book of Records as first Malaysian to paint at Claude Monet’s garden

Abdul Karim (centre) witnesses the handing over of the MBOR certificate from Lee (right) to Goh during the launching ceremony for The Southeast Asia ArtLiST Vol. 1 (SEA.A.1) book and The Southeast Asia International Art Camp 2023 (SEA-IAC) held at tHe Spring Shopping Mall, Kuching on Dec 19, 2023.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Dec 19: Sarawakian artist Gerald Goh Teck Joo has been inducted into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the first Malaysian to paint at Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny, France.

Oscar Claude Monet (Nov 14, 1840 – Dec 5, 1926) is one of the most famous painters in the world.

Goh painted two artworks namely ‘The Monet Pond’ and ‘The Love Bridge’ during his visit to Monet’s house in 2017.

‘The Love Bridge’, painted by Gerald Goh.

Recounting his journey to France after the passing of his late wife Belle, Goh said he was initially denied access to paint at the house.

“I persevered and fate in its wondrous way opened the door and I was allowed to paint after their opening hours.

“Standing in Monet’s hallowed studio and by the pond, I felt an artistic awakening, a surge of inspiration that ignited a new fire within me.

“This fire fueled me through my grief and left a signatory mark of difference in my work after the Monet’s house,” he said during the launching ceremony for The Southeast Asia ArtLiST Vol. 1 (SEA.A.1) book and The Southeast Asia International Art Camp 2023 (SEA-IAC) held at tHe Spring Shopping Mall here earlier tonight.

Goh mentioned that he has displayed 10 pieces of work done after the visit.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was present to witness the handing over of MBOR certificate from MBOR official representative Lee Pooi Leng to Goh during the event.

Commenting on the SEA-IAC 2023 event that is taking place from Dec 20 to 23, Abdul Karim said the programme will bring a number of artists from across Southeast Asia to visit selected sites in Sarawak to work on their paintings.

“The Sarawak government has donated one heritage building located in front of Central Police Station in Kuching which will be turned into an arts gallery.

“Thus, maybe we can have some of the paintings from the Camp to be placed in that particular gallery which I believe will be ready in the next two years,” he commented.

Meanwhile, Goh’s new sly-launched book at tonight’s event is a compilation of his stories as a result of his decades of travels in search of artistic venture within the Southeast Asian region. — DayakDaily