M'sian Paints Nation With International Acclaim

By Suhaila Said KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- There is no point in studying the arts as it offers zero-job opportunity. It will seem that such reaction may be the norm as a society stigma when one wishes to pursue a career in painting, print or sculpture. Speak to Elias Mohd and he will brush such norms aside, to paint a positive and beautiful picture of the world of art. The painter has proven that his involvement in art has given him a successful career and international acclaim. This is a Malaysian whose art has put Malaysia on the world map since migrating to Amsterdam, Holland in 1987. Elias, 57, from Terengganu (east coast state) has since become a household name in Europe for his work of art. Among his greatest achievements was when he and six Dutch professional painters were selected as official painters for the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. His enthusiasm in producing works of art has never faded, and three years ago, he was selected as a major painter for the Royal Holland. "I took up the ceramic field as a hobby, a long time ago but started showing serious interest after obtaining a scholarship of 18,000 Euros from the European Ceramic Centre to further my degree," he told Bernama here in a recent interview. Elias, who has produced 200 sculptures and over 3,000 pieces of exquisite paintings said his art works were in great demand by connoisseurs in both Europe and the United States. His works, which are also known by the identity of 'practicability' features local identities such as traditional custom and the cultural arts of Malaysia. "Basically, I highlight the Malaysian concept because the European community is still wondering how Malaysia looks like. So, I can show and tell them what Malaysia is all about, through my works," he said, adding that he became a professional painter in 1991. The man has held over 20 solo exhibitions worldwide, aims to produce pioneers to be highlighted at international level, as well as uphold Malaysian art at the highest level. "I really hope there are certain parties who can invest in an arts centre, where I can coach budding talents interested to become artists...and then, in three years' time, we can give them international exposure. "I came back this time (to Malaysia) with a new idea to expand our arts field to a higher level in Malaysia," said Elias, who also hoped that his latest collection could be displayed in museums and palaces, among others. For starters, he is currently holding a solo exhibition at the Sutra Gallery, Persiaran Titiwangsa here, which began in late August and ends on Oct 4. A total of 23 pieces of his paintings, valued at between US$3,952 (RM17,000) and US$6,510 (RM28,000) each are on display and for sale at the 'Gemalai' exhibition, an exhibition of oil paintings, combining both dance and nature. Elias said the paintings involved techniques of 'Glass Distortion', 'Translucent Oil' and 'Simbah dan Ayak'. The exhibition is open daily from 9am to 5pm and it will be officiated by MinConsult Sdn Bhd executive director Rose Ganendra at 7pm on Sept 19 at Sutra Gallery. -- BERNAMA