Conversation Piece

Glasgow-based Malaysian artist TehHock Aun was in KualaLumpur recently in anticipation of his solo exhibition at BalaiSeniVisual Negara later this year. He talks about his works, art education and challenges in a conversation with art dealer PatrickDavies of PatrickDavies contemporary art and Liezel Strauss of SubjectMatterArt.

- Mindy Teh

Teh Hock Aun’s signature sense of colour and movement is apparent from his very appearance. Dressed in a bright yellow shirt and paints plattered jeans, the artist has fashioned necklaces in bright primary colours from children’s plastic bead sets. He speaks animatedly, hands moving fervently in an attempt to articulate himself further. His is a booming voice, highlighting a curious Scottish and Malaysian-accented English with a frankness that is refreshing.

A small, arty group has convened to listen to one of Malaysia’s notable artists speak in anticipation of his solo exhibition at the Balai Seni Visual Negara later this year. Not that he needs any introduction. Teh, now based in Glasgow, has had his works displayed in various cities around the world and is as much an honorary son of Scotland as he is a native of Malaysia.

His accolades include being selected by the British Foreign Office in 1995 as one of the subjects of the My Britain series of documentary films. In 1997, he was selected by Glasgow Museums to study tigers in their natural habitat in India. In 1980, he received a Commendation of Merit from the Robert Colquhourn Memorial Exhibition.

His particular brand of contemporary Chinese art draws inspiration from ancient, revered T’ang calligraphy even as it is hailed as abstract expressionism. He explains his works, art education and encouraging young artists in a conversation with Patrick Davies of Patrick Davies Contemporary Art, and Liezel Strauss of SubjectMatterArt, both of whom represent him, with the latter here in Malaysia.

Strauss: Patrick, you and Hock Aun have been working together for more than 20 years. Can you tell us how your relationship developed and how you met?