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It has been two months since this exhibition but the memories were still fresh in my mind.

This exhibition was initiated by Solmaz Pessian https://www.facebook.com/SolmazArtStudio/  

and

Faramaz https://www.facebook.com/womansartbyfaramas/

both extremely multi-talented Iranian women. They have been residing in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia for several years now.

I was truly honoured to be included in this collaboration.

This is the first exhibition for Solmaz as a colour pencil artist and she is extremely passionate in what she does. Her goal is pretty similar to me, hoping that this medium will be taken seriously and that coloured pencil art is not child’s play.

Faramas is a fashion designer by profession who is gaining vast recognition locally. She has been actively showcasing her fashion works and exhibiting her artworks internationally.

Both Solmaz and Faramas planned and did all the ground work for this exhibition. I was not much of help because I live in Penang, a 4 hours

Looking at this subject, how can one see beauty in that? It is rusty, raw, edgy. What am I trying to proof with this subject matter?

Before I dwell further about the why, let me tell you how I ‘stumbled’ upon this chains.

As I was walking along the beach across my house, searching for inspirations, I came across this bulk of rusted chains. It was hanging down from a huge tree, camouflaged amongst the branches and leaves.

At a glance, it looked just like any other piece of junk. But somehow, something caught my eyes. Under the brilliant sun, something glittered. I looked through the view finder of my camera and I saw it. I was mesmerised by the textures and colours, nature’s work of art. The term ‘Wabi-sabi’ came to mind.

Wabi-Sabi represents a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that embraces authenticity over perfection. Characterised by asymmetry, irregularity, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty & intimacy, wabi-sabi values natural objects

Flowers are subjects that I rarely do.  Butterfly, this is a first.

I got a bit tired of the monochrome rusty metal parts(at the moment). I need to refresh. I want to use all those vibrant colours that I have. And also the black surface paper that I purchased quite some time back.

Armed with enthusiasm, I dragged my daughter along to the local butterfly farm, Entopia, just 10 minutes drive from my home. And guess what, since living here for over 10 years, it was my first time to that place and I fell in love with it.

This was done on a 244gsm, 54 x 39 cm (21.5 x 15.5 inches) Rasha, Takeo NT paper. The paper takes on the colours very well and it can really withstand the tremendous and multiple layering.

I also used all the best pencils that I have, Caran D’ache Pablos and Luminous for their luscious colors