IN her artwork, 32-year-old Chan Phooi Yeng delights in featuring humans, babies, flowers, animals, and nature, using these elements to express her inner emotions and thoughts.
One such piece, titled Messymalism or Maximalism?, recently earned her the top prize in the 7th edition of the Spotlight 2024 competition organised by the Penang Art District (PAD).
Her oil painting on canvas, measuring 120cm by 89cm, is a vibrant composition depicting a woman carrying a child amidst thrifted vintage clothes, a guzheng, four cats, a park where the child is seen playing in various areas, a volcano, an Egyptian goddess, and a cemetery, among other elements.
According to Phooi Yeng, the woman and child in the painting represent herself and her three-and-a-half-year-old son, Hii Wei. Both share the joy of exploring the park, uncovering little wonders together. This has led her to open her eyes to the beauty of insects, amphibians, reptiles, and graceful white cranes.
The volcano in her painting reflects her journey to the breathtaking Bromo and Ijen volcanoes in Indonesia, while the Egyptian goddess represents her dream of one day exploring Egypt with her husband and child.
When asked about the thrifted clothes scattered in the foreground, Phooi Yeng explained that she runs an online business dealing with thrifted clothes, which requires her time for sorting and repairs.
Aside from her son, Phooi Yeng mentioned that the four cats in the painting are also eager for her love and attention.
Amidst her busy life, she questions whether she should continue practising the guzheng, the instrument that brings her joy.
In her description of the painting submitted to the organisers, she wrote: “My passion for thrifted vintage finds sustains my livelihood, but it feels like I’m stuck, anchored in this mountain of clothes, unable to break free. Juggling a pile of treasured belongings and the various things related to my interests has left my home in a state of chaos. My life feels restrictive, yet I find myself unable to change this cycle for now.
“This oil painting embodies my inner conflict between the things I love and the realities of life in 2024. As I worked on this painting, I undertook a process of self-reflection, driven by a desire to rediscover my sense of self in this fast-paced world.”
Phooi Yeng’s passion for art began at a young age, and during her young adulthood, she pursued a Diploma in 3D Animation at Equator College. She has since transitioned to fine art, exploring various techniques in oil, acrylic, watercolour, gouache, and more.
Now, she juggles motherhood, earning a living, and continuing her artistic pursuits.
In 2023, she was selected as one of the top 20 finalists in the Spotlight competition, and in 2024, she achieved success, being named the winner on Jan 4. Phooi Yeng brought her son to the prize-giving ceremony at the Art Gallery Penang in Bellisa Row, Pulau Tikus, where both mother and son were the centre of attention.
Her victory earned her RM5,000 in prize money, along with the opportunity to be mentored by an art practitioner and hold a solo exhibition – following in the footsteps of past winners.
“I’m proud of this moment. It will motivate me to keep growing, experimenting, and pushing the boundaries of my art. Now, the challenge is finding time to produce more artwork to hold a solo exhibition,” Phooi Yeng said.
Phooi Yeng’s winning art piece is currently on display along with works of other Spotlight finalists at the Art Gallery Penang till Jan 19.
Several impressive art pieces include ‘The Liar Paradox’ by talented Mohamad Firdaus Md Yusof, ‘Momentum’ by Oon Zheng Yeow, a graduate of Equator College and now a first-year Universiti Sains Malaysia student, and ‘House for Rent’ by promising Yee Yun Ping.
Lee Khai, chairman of the Penang State Art Gallery, remarked that having served as a juror for Spotlight since its inauguration in 2018, he and fellow jurors Bingley Sim, Dr Tetrina, Esther Goh, and Ivan Gabriel, were suitably impressed with the quality of the artworks submitted.
“Spotlight has increased its traction in the national art community. The number of participants and overall quality have increased,” Lee Khai shared.
“Spotlight is to discover young artistic talents in Malaysia. The 2024 competition was the first time we increased the age limit to 35 from 30 years old and below.”
Offering a tip to future participants, Lee Khai said they are always looking for a winner that they think, judging from the entry, will be able to present them with a good solo exhibition.
He announced that the Penang State Art Gallery will bring back the Penang Annual Show this year, showcasing the best of Penang art in a year, after a lapse of over two decades.
Lee Khai also thanked UOB, represented by its UOB Malaysia vice-president Ivy Chua (Brand, Media and Communications), for sponsoring the annual Spotlight competition, as well as holding its prestigious Painting of the Year competition.
He also commended Kenny Ng, the general manager of Penang Art District (PAD), for his hard work in organising Spotlight and other art development in the state, noting that PAD, used to be under Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), is now parked under Penang Institute.
Lee Khai also thanked The Art Gallery for hosting the exhibition and Hin Bus for hosting the jurying of the Spotlight competition.
Penang Institute executive director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng, who had the honour of presenting the prizes to the main winners of Spotlight, emphasised the importance of art in society, stating that all individuals need to express themselves in one way or another.
He expressed confidence in the abundance of creative passion within society to sustain a vibrant and nurturing art ecosystem.
“Synergy is the key. Society must provide the space necessary for its members’ creative responses to find expression and thrive. Today’s Spotlight should be seen in that dynamic context as part of the natural need for individual and social expression that is best achieved collectively. So, let me congratulate everyone involved today for their collective determination to nurture the individual creativity inherent in our society,” Dr Ooi said.
Ng thanked UOB for making the event possible and expressed optimism for continued collaboration in the future.
Ng highlighted the growth of Spotlight, which has expanded significantly since its inception in 2018, starting with 40 submissions and now receiving more than 100 entries.
“We take pride in what we do, not only providing prize money but also pairing the winner with a mentor. This year, we received many entries from Penang for the first time. Typically, we have received numerous submissions from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor,” Ng said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by K.H. Ong and courtesy of Penang Art District