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MALAYSIA EDITION 5

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05 9

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ISSN 2289-3768 PP 17836/08/2013 (032963)

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“YOU M IGH T THINK MY A RT ARE FO R C HILD REN, BUT IT’S NO T. I AM TELL ING YOU THAT MY A RT ARE ME SS AGE S FO R ADUL TS .”

STRAINED BEAUTY

- Queenie Chow Having already exhibited in Malaysia, Italy, France, Korea and Philippines, Queenie is being met with increasing international attention thanks to the familiar subjects in her artwork that many can relate to. To reach the world further, the Pahang-born artist illustrated a children’s book entitled Cats In The Rubbish and collaborated with long-time digital artist friend Eva Lee to produce a total of 20 limited edition prints entitled The Blossom Friendship Series at an affordable price - excellent for those who are just beginning to collect art pieces.

Beneath a simple execution in Queenie’s artwork is a direct portal to a personal, almost intuitive vision.

Growing up to Walt Disney and Japanese cartoon like Doraemon, Queenie is greatly influenced by animation. Thus, the kawaii (cute) cartoonist pop art style is adopted in her artwork. This allows for conveying her strong messages humbly and truthfully through a child without being offensive. “To me’, says Queenie, “children represent one’s inner self... a place where one is most fragile and vulnerable.

Adults, most likely would not reveal their vulnerability so as to avoid disappointment if what they hold is dear and essential in their heart taken lightly by someone else. But that’s not the case with children as their naivety prevails over chagrin.”

TEXT VANITHA PA VA PATHI IMAGES COURTESY OF QUEENIE CHOW

Perturbed yet enchanting in its simplicity, Queenie’s artwork used symbols, objects, animals, figures, parables and colours to represent abstract ideas or concepts. “At times, puppets are used to represent the superficial and performers world where they have to constantly proved their abilities and are hungry for praises”, she explains. “The clown”, she continues, “intentionally breaks the barren grown up mind and culture.”

Sometimes compared to Yoshitomo Nara for similar artistic style, Queenie’s artwork, like that of the Japanese artist seems to force attention to the subject matter due to the simple forms, textures and colouration. While some might argue that Queenie is simply running away from reality by going back to the imagery of childhood, she demonstrates children as having a higher level of maturity because they’re non-judgemental and a lot more accepting than adults – something everyone could learn from to truly live life to the fullest. www.xtrafurniture.com | +603 2282 9088

L

ike something out of a children’s book at first glance, Queenie Chow’s artwork really are deceptively simple. Represented by entities like toddlers and infants with their bleak eyes, flat smiles and sometimes even disturbing clown smiles, each work is a peek into an upsetting, narrow-minded, discriminating world that the children are naively hopeful for change. More importantly, they are Queenie’s spiritual journey to discover within her the childlike values of living life and finding true happiness amidst the harsh reality of rejection, loneliness and society’s expectations.

As art is a language she’s most comfortable in conversing and communicating with the world, Queenie gave up her career in design and advertising despite her family’s critical disapproval. But it wasn’t a bed of roses either since then as she is diagnosed with a chronic illness.

It was through painting that the 40-year-old finds peace within herself which she hopes others would find the same through her artwork.

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