With Victor Chin And Numpueng At KLPac

Right after my presentation at the 2nd Malaysian Conference on Rehabilitation in Bangi on Saturday, Wuan and I went to the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in Sentul. My good friend Victor Chin and his wife Numpueng were exhibiting their acrylic on canvas paintings there. I also got the opportunity to meet some of Victor’s friends. One of them was photographer and fellow blogger Paul Choo. Paul was there to shoot the event.

Victor and Numpueng hosted a picnic for guests outside KLPac just by the lake. The blue sky was partially shrouded by fluffly white clouds. It was breezy too. I enjoyed myself thoroughly just by taking in the serene sights of the lake and the greenery, and listening to Victor sharing with us the processes involved in the creation of the paintings.

Both exhibitions are opened daily from 10am to 10pm and will end on November 30. For more information, contact Victor at 016 2680258 or email him at vicchin[at]gmail[dot]com.

The art of Victor Chin and Numpueng on exhibit at KLPac
The art of Victor Chin and Numpueng on exhibit at KLPac.
Photo by Wuan.

Numpueng's Happy Shapes and Parental Love acrylic on canvas paintings
Numpueng’s Happy Shapes and Parental Love acrylic on canvas paintings.
These brightly coloured pieces are perfect to brighten up any room.
Photo by Wuan.

Peter Tan posing before Victor Chin's Perhentian Island acrylic on canvas abstract paintings
Peter Tan posing with Victor Chin’s Perhentian Island acrylic on canvas abstract paintings.
These two paintings reminded me of tuna fillet.
Photo by Wuan.

Victor Chin, Paul Choo and Peter Tan
(L-R) Victor Chin, Paul Choo and Peter Tan.
Photo by Wuan.

Victor Chin and Numpueng
The artists – Victor Chin and Numpueng.
Photo by Wuan.

Sentul Park
Serenity by the lake at Sentul Park.
Photo by Wuan.

Victor Chin’s Pulau Perhentian

Victor ChinPhoto by Wuan.

My good friend Victor Chin is holding an exhibition of twenty abstract acrylic paintings on canvas inspired by his stay at Pulau Perhentian back in 2002. This exhibition at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) began earlier today and will end on November 30. At the same time, his wife Numpueng is also exhibiting thirty of her acrylic paintings on canvas at the same venue.

Wuan and I had sneak previews of their paintings the few times that we visited Victor and Numpueng at their home. That was the first time we were up close to artistic pieces like these. I was impressed by Victor’s colour play in his paintings one of which reminded me of fresh tuna fillet. Yes, sad to say, my appreciation of good art is as shallow as my appreciation for fine dining.

Both the exhibitions are opened daily from 10am to 10pm. At 4pm on September 8, there will be a walk through of the exhibition with the artists. For more information, contact Victor at 016 2680258 or email him at vicchin[at]gmail[dot]com.

Victor Chin - Pulau Perhentian exhibition flyer
Victor Chin’s exhibition flyer

Numpueng - Happy Shapes
Numpueng’s exhibition flyer

An Afternoon With Victor Chin And Friends

View from the top at Victor Chin's photo exhibition at KLPac
View from the top at Victor Chin’s photo exhibition at KLPac.
Photo by Wuan.

Wuan and I spent a very casual and enjoyable afternoon at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). Our friend Victor Liew had invited me to join him there and I readily agreed as we had nothing planned for Sunday. Besides, we had always wanted to go to KLPac as we have read so much about it, especially the events that were hosted there.

Peter Tan, Victor Chin and Victor Liew at KLPac
Peter Tan, Victor Chin and Victor Liew at KLPac.

We woke up late on the appointed day. The trip to Ipoh the day before wore us out. When we reached Sentul, we lost our way and had to ask for directions at a petrol station. The attendant there was very helpful and drew a map for us. When we finally reached KLPac, we were already one hour late. Nevertheless, the other Victor who was also the host for the event made us feel at home the moment we stepped in.

Victor Chin and friends
With Victor Chin and friends.

The gracious host Victor Chin is a multimedia artist. He was exhibiting his collection of photographs titled In the Face of Disability. In fact, back in 2005, TV Smith had invited me to view Victor’s first photography exhibition on disabled people. Unfortunately, I had another engagement on the same day and had to give it a miss.

Godfrey Ooi and friends entertaining guests at Victor Chin's photo exhibition
Godfrey Ooi and friends entertaining guests at Victor Chin’s photo exhibition.
Photo by Wuan.

This exhibition is the second series of Victor’s work on subjects with conditions that I am familiar with. It features 30 black and white photographs of Malaysian athletes in action or at rest. They are members of the Malaysian paralympic team. I must admit that I have never watched disabled athletes in action and wondered the kind of message Victor wanted to express through those images.

With Victor Chin and and his exhibits
With Victor Chin and and his exhibits.
Photo by Wuan.

I am not one who knows how to appreciate good art but believe Victor had meant to illustrate the diversity of humankind – that we do not need to be “perfect” to be good at what we do. In essence, no human is perfect but we are living in an imperfect world that demands perfection from people we deem imperfect. That is a fact and the hypocrisy that disabled people have to face with everyday. What struck me most in those images was that they were faces of people just like you and I, faces of regular people doing things we thought they could never do. They did and excelled at it.

Victor Chin's In the face of Disability photo exhibition at KLPac
Victor Chin’s In the face of Disability photo exhibition at KLPac.

At the same time, I also hope that audience who have viewed Victor’s work on this subject will not use these athletes as a benchmark on other disabled people. It would be a gross mistake to assume that all disabled people can attain the same achievement with sheer hard work. We have to respect that there are people who are contented with what they are doing now without the need to be super achievers and that it is all right to be a regular disabled person.

Group photo of Victor Chin's guests at his photo exhibition at KLPac
Group photo of Victor Chin’s guests at his photo exhibition at KLPac.
Photo by Wuan.

Having said that, I am already looking forward to the third series. According to Victor, it will be about people at work. He stands out as an artist who is exceptionally comfortable working with disabled people and vice versa. That is evident from the laid back composure of his subjects. I have no doubt that the third series will continue to challenge his audiences’ perception of disabled people.

Dato' Faridah Merican, Wuan, Victor Chin and Peter Tan
Dato’ Faridah Merican, Wuan, Victor Chin and Peter Tan at KLPac.

The afternoon was equally fulfilling as I got to meet old friends like Godfrey who was entertaining guests at the exhibition with his guitar together with his friends who got out of their harmonicas in ways I never thought possible. Back in 1983, Godfrey and I were the guitarists for a group of carollers consisting of Scouts and Girl Guides. I just realised I have known him for a quarter of a century already. I cannot but have to admit that I am advancing in age. Victor also introduced Wuan and I to renowned thespian Dato’ Faridah Merican when she arrived towards the end of the event. One thing that I am sure is that Wuan and I will be visiting KLPac often from now onwards, all thanks to Victor and Victor.

Note:
Victor Chin’s In the Face of Disability photo exhibition runs from January 14 – February 19 2008 at the KLPac.