Son brings mother’s art to gallery

KUCHING: “It is a dream come true,” were the words of Ken Loh, the son of the late Chong Liew Syn, after successfully displaying his late mother’s artwork titled ‘Hidden Gems: The Life Works of Chong Liew Syn,’ commenced on Friday at the Hoan Gallery, La Promenade Mall.

Around 60 art pieces, many never before seen, will be showcased at the gallery for an eight-week-long show, which promises to be a highlight of Sarawak’s cultural calendar this year.

Loh speaks to reporters at the gallery

According to Loh, his late mother has a collection of 300 pieces of art, and he admitted that he would have felt guilty if the paintings were left collecting dust.

“Art is like us; they age. If I keep them there and do nothing about it, I would feel very guilty, so this is a dream come true,” he told reporters after attending the launching of the art shows by the late Chong Liew Syn here at La Promenade Mall on Friday (Jan 19).

Loh said initially the paintings were stored at his family’s shoplots, and he didn’t know how to kickstart an art show until about ten years ago, when Hoan Gallery director, Hoan Kee Huang, approached Loh and his family with some assistance.

“At the time, the art gallery didn’t exist until 2021 when Hoan Gallery was established. They’ve had a few exhibitions, until recently we all came together and felt that the time was right [for an art show],” he said.

Explaining further, Loh shared that the paintings had to be treated carefully, meticulously touched, and framed accordingly, emphasising that it was not an easy job.

When asked whether Loh had inherited the artistic side of his late mother, he enthused that he has inherited her musical side, as she enjoyed karaoke.

Art enthusiasts poses in front of Chong’s last piece, ‘White Blossoms’

Two visitors at the gallery take pictures of one of Chong’s piece

“I learned piano at a young age, and I sing too, so the musical side, I got it,” he said.

Art visitors and enthusiasts will discover that the art show collection encompasses the entire career of Chong, featuring watercolours, oil paintings, and acrylics.

For the record, the majority of artworks from the art show will be for sale, ranging from around RM3,000 to over RM10,000, depending on the medium, size, and age.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian, who happens to be Chong’s former student, officiated the launching of the art shows by the late Chong Liew Syn.

Visitors present at the art gallery

A visitor at the gallery looks at Chong’s pieces