MOST people use cheese cutters to cut cheese, but local artist Koh Teng Huat finds another purpose for them – he uses them to paint!
Koh said he took interest in cheese cutters and used them as part of his painting tools in 2019.
“Most people may only use cheese cutters to cut cheese, but I find it useful to produce my artworks,” he said.
Koh, 59, is a familiar face in the art community.
While most artists use the paintbrush to paint their artworks, Koh prefers to use palette knives and cheese cutters to create his art pieces.
“I opt for those tools because they suit my style of painting. I find it more comfortable to paint using them compared to paintbrushes,” he said in an interview recently.
Koh showed Buletin Mutiara his painting tools at his gallery in Pusat Inkubator Kraf, Balik Pulau.
“I have over 100 palette knives which I used to paint. Normally, I use about five palette knives and cheese cutters to produce an art piece,” he said.
Koh specialises in semi-abstract oil paintings.
“The viewers can still identify and make out the objects in my painting, despite being not realistic.
“I consider art as an expression of the artist. The artist draws based on his or her life experience.
“For me, I have obtained 59 years of experience and that allows me to express myself in my artworks. Every artist will have his or her own experience and that allows them to express themselves differently.
“That is why art is an expression of the artist. It is an expression of life,” Koh, who was a former journalist said.
Koh said he took interest in art when he was 46, back in 2009.
“I started working after my Form 6 and my job was never related to art or painting.
“I worked as a journalist in Guang Ming Daily and later in China Press.
“Then I left the media industry and went into sales. I became a branch manager and then an entrepreneur, producing Mandarin educational flashcards for young children,” he said.
Koh said that after he became an artist, he visited various places, states, and countries to get inspiration to create his masterpieces.
He visited Australia, New Zealand, Macau, Hong Kong, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, other parts of China, and all the states in Malaysia.
His artwork had also been exhibited in Singapore, Macau, Taiwan, other parts of China and Malaysia.
“I choose Balik Pulau, Penang, as the location to express and showcase my artwork. I was born and raised here.
“Balik Pulau is a great location for artists to enhance their skills in art. One can take in the different scenery, feel them, and create their masterpieces.
“We have paddy fields, the sea, and the hills in Balik Pulau. I hope to promote this township as a preferred location for aspiring artists,” he said.
Koh said one of his art pieces fetched RM120,000 at a charity auction by Hope Garden, in Johor, for the benefit of a school for special children.
“I am happy that I could use my skills to raise funds for the school for special children. This message shows that art can do wonders, including helping the needy,” he added.
He called on budding artists not to give up on pursuing their dreams.
“We are never too old (or young) to pursue a dream. Anyone can pursue art,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Photos by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar