Michael Quah’s Solo Art Show 2024

Life on Canvas & Island Resonances
21 September – 20 October 2024
SXI Heritage Centre, St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang

In a continuation of his artistic journey, Mr Michael Quah presents his second solo exhibition, "Life on Canvas & Island Resonances". Following his successful debut in 2023, this new collection reflects his life experiences through bold strokes, vibrant colours and textured compositions, inviting viewers to explore the beauty of the natural world.

For Mr Quah, art is more than applying paint to canvas; it is a lifelong journey of learning, unlearning, and rediscovering. His acrylic and watercolour works, shaped by decades of exploration, reflect his deep admiration for nature and the boundless inspiration it provides. Each piece serves as a heartfelt dialogue with the blue marble, expressing joy and wonder through thoughtful contemplation.

The exhibition's launch on 21 September 2024 carries special significance, coinciding with the International Lasallian Days of Peace, a period when the global Lasallian community reflects and prays for peace. Some of Mr Quah's pieces embody this theme, revealing the harmony he finds in his creative process. "In creating art, I find stillness; I discern the presence of the spiritual," he shares. His work invites viewers to look inward, appreciate quiet moments, and discover serenity amid the noise of daily life – reminding us that art can be a pathway to inner peace.

Life on Canvas (1996 – 2024)

"Life on Canvas" synthesises Mr Quah's experiences, reflecting his deep connection to the wetlands and lush landscapes that have inspired him. His acrylic works capture the moods and rhythms of flora and fauna thriving in their natural habitats. The inclusion of figurative female forms adds an expressive presence, symbolising his personal fascinations and significant moments throughout the collection.

Each composition invites viewers to pause, reflect, and discover stillness amid chaos, recognising the spiritual essence that surrounds us. As Mr Quah expresses, “In rendering my works, I discover fresh life facets. I find stillness. I discern the presence of the spiritual.” His brush strokes, infused with intention and playfulness, resonate with a profound truth.

In Mr Quah’s "Life on Canvas" series, I find myself irresistibly captivated by Vitality #01 and #02 (Acrylic on canvas, 48” x 36” each). Here, the dark, sombre undertones form a striking counterpoint to a jubilant explosion of vibrant foliage above, as if nature itself is celebrating its own exuberance. Each brushstroke evokes movement and texture, while just behind the hill in #02, the sun makes its entrance or exit – a compelling metaphor for life’s eternal cycles, heralding new beginnings or bidding farewell to a chapter well lived.

Island Resonances (2024)

In contrast, "Island Resonances" channels the dynamic essence of island life. Through a series of 32 watercolours, Mr Quah paints nature's symphony – where wind, water and light converge in a minimalist palette and expressive texture. Each piece captures fleeting moments – the crashing waves, the interplay of light and shadow, the vibrant hues that shift with the changing sky.

Using innovative techniques such as paper tearing and printing transfers, Mr Quah's artistry reflects not just the physical landscape but the emotional landscapes within us. These works resonate deeply with those who have experienced the transient beauty of island life, encapsulating the feelings of renewal, resilience and connection to nature that define our existence.

Engage with the Art

As visitors step into the Heritage Centre for "Life on Canvas / Island Resonances", they embark on a captivating journey through the perspective of an artist who continues to defy age and convention. Michael Quah’s works beckon all to reflect, to dream and to find joy in the simplicity of nature.

Drop by the Heritage Centre of St. Xavier's Institution and allow Mr Quah's paintings to awaken your senses and spark your imagination. If you were to buy a piece or two, display them at a special corner of your home and view them time and again, to act as a gentle reminder to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us all. A grateful heart makes life extraordinary.

Michael Quah © Adrian Cheah

Official opening was officiated by Zairil Khir Johari on Saturday, 21 September 2024 at 3:30 pm.

SXI Heritage Centre opens Saturday from 4 pm – 7 pm; Sunday from 10 am – 1 pm
Other times by appointment: contact Victor Tan at +6019-480 6556.

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About Mr Michael Quah

Michael Quah © Adrian Cheah

Mr Quah's journey as an artist began with inspiration and motivation from his Form 4 art teacher, Brother Joseph McNally. Persistence and patience became a cornerstone in his development as an artist. Over the years, he explored various art expressions, constantly seeking to understand materials and finding new ways of creative expression. His willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn fueled his long and successful career.

From the 1960s till his retirement 31 years later, Mr Quah was an art educator at St Xavier’s Institution in Penang. As an art educator, his journey took a new dimension. Working with young minds, he discovered the importance of understanding and awakening their understanding as a foundational skill for learning. His teaching methods were process-principle-learning based, engaging students' multiple intelligences, lateral thinking and creativity. He brought art out of the confines of the classroom, encouraging his students to explore various art forms and engage in public exhibitions and competitions.

Mr Quah was also appointed as a member of the art curriculum design panel for the Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Menengah (KBSM) at the Curriculum Design Centre (CDC) in Kuala Lumpur. It took eight years of careful preparation before the national KBSM learning/teaching programme was launched.

At the state level, Mr Quah headed the team to share in the in-service training for teachers in Penang. He was appointed as one of the national examiners and a team leader for the Form 5 MCE/SPM Nature paper. As a chief examiner for Penang State Crafts SRP Paper, he was privy to the complex intricacies of large-scale organisational abilities and the divergent skills that art education required to be efficiently managed.

After his retirement, he went on to establish his own advertising company, Dreamagic Sdn Bhd in Selangor, serving as the creative director.

Awards & Honours:
1966: Frank Sullivan Best Artist Prize from the Specialist Teachers Training Institute
1991: Guru Cemerlang Award from the Penang State Education Department
1992: Guru Cemerlang Award from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia
1993: Lasallian Teacher Award from the La Salle Brothers

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PS: I did not know the amount of work Mr Quah put into structuring his art classes until I interviewed him last year for his first solo exhibition (39 years later). He personally tested his lessons to see if they were doable within the 45 minutes/90 minutes time frame, making them interesting and intelligently thought-provoking. Although I was in the Science stream (Form 4 and Form 5), I took art as an extra subject and always looked forward to Mr Quah's classes. Now I understand that the lessons he gave me were more than to achieve Grade 1 in art (which I did). He has taught me to be a seeker, focusing on continuous exploration and learning, to look within and to celebrate my individuality. Thank you Sir!