KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 ― Wheelchair-bound artist Tan Kuan Aw has overcome many health-related trials throughout his life but remains a prolific painter.
He recently launched an exhibition featuring 40 paintings at the Island Gallery in Penang. His third solo titled The Restless Brush is on till February 11.
Tan, who got polio when he was three years old, said his seemingly random brush strokes are a result of his inability to control his hand.
“What is new is the placing of signs and symbols at strategic locations on the otherwise abstract work, thus stimulating the viewers to imagine the patches of colours and brush strokes as semi abstract landscape, a new direction that I will explore further,” he said.
Tan’s handicap has never been an obstacle and he worked as a shoe designer with Penang International Footwear for 20 years until 2001.
He also started the Society of Disabled Persons Penang of which he was chairman and advocated with other non-governmental organisations for better basic amenities for the disabled in Penang in the 1990s.
Many of his artworks are inspired by these issues.
The 66-year-old has a Bachelor of Arts with honours in fine arts from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
He lost the strength to use his hands after a bout of severe pneumonia in 2009.
“For a few months, I was unable to even write my own name and had doubts if I would be able to continue my art.
“But one day, I picked up my pencil and realised I could draw, which renewed my confidence and joy in pursuing my passion.
“I could no longer draw a straight line but I improvised by using dots to make up the lines.”
Tan now paints in acrylic as he finds the medium dries easier.
