RogueArt Recommends: Cadangan-cadangan Untuk Negaraku

Cadangan-Cadangan Untuk Negaraku

New Works by Liew Kung Yu

Galeri PETRONAS at Level 3 Suria KLCC Mall
Exhibition runs from April 17 to  June 14, 2009

I really haven’t the words to express my excitement for this show. Liew Kung Yu is one of Malaysia’s most sought-after and elusive contemporary artists. Talk about once in a blue moon and the blue moon has finally risen in the form of ‘Cadangan-cadangan Untuk Negaraku’ (or its English translation, ‘A Few Suggestions to My Country’), an incredible solo presentation by this multi-tasking genius who occasionally moonlights as a ‘flower seller’ at the night markets. We think it has been at least 10 years since Kung Yu’s last solo.

The exhibition comprises 4 epic, elaborately and insanely layered photo-collages that measure 20 x 7 feet each. It is high kitsch, awe-inspiring and overwhelming. My eyes were impatiently devouring the visual feast as there are far too many details to focus on! This show warrants more than 2 visits and may I suggest spending at least 15 minutes with each work, allowing your eye to wonder slowly through the dense terrain, layers and details.

I  am still processing the works in my mind but it is definitely going down as one of the brightest 2009 highlights in RogueArt’s list of favourites. All I can manage now is a very inarticulate WOW. (AO)