GEORGE TOWN – Ivan Alexander Francis Gabriel is an established artist, actor, teacher, and a curator, who is working to make a difference in the art scene.
He’s an advocate for Malaysia’s endangered wildlife, as well as mental health education.
In the visual arts, Ivan has worked with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for three years, spreading awareness through his artwork.
One of his paintings, featuring a close up frontal view of the Malayan Tiger, using watercolours, colour pencils, and gouache, was put up for auction during The Malayan Tiger Run some time in 2019.
The painting captured the heart of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad.
She purchased it and it is now displayed at her residence.
When asked about his experience meeting Siti Hasmah, Ivan described it as an out of body experience.
“I felt as if I had died and went to heaven!”
The auction made way for Belang, a showcase at the Penang State Art Gallery that Ivan curated.
“The curation became a campaign because now, it was not a personal agenda but Malaysia’s agenda.
“It was created to tell people that our national treasure is dying, which is our Malayan Tiger.
“Earlier, we had 2,000, but now we only have about 200 of them.”
“It is not just an animal that resides in Asia, but it is our national icon. What if we look back one day and realise we have so much to offer, but we did absolutely nothing, and therefore, our national price is nothing?”
Childhood beginnings
As a boy growing up in the 90s, Ivan’s only dream was to get a giant art box – a toolbox looking kit that opens up to medium after medium of art supplies.
He thought impressing his parents with a string of A’s in his first year of primary school would be the key to that giant art box.
“I could never afford art school because going to school was already tough, going to art school is another level of craziness,” he said.
Neil Buchanan, the host of Art Attack, a British children’s television series centred around art, became his long distance art teacher.
"Every Saturday at 9.30am, I’ll watch what he did, and on Sunday, I’ll head to an art supply shop to hunt for the things he used, and I’ll complete it during the week. This happened weekly.”
He would classify his endeavours as self-teaching because he did not have anyone to tell him how to fix his artwork if he messed up.
“Google wasn’t a thing then. I was doing virtual learning, something everyone is doing now!” he chuckled.
Other art forms
Ivan explored different types of mediums in the visual arts, exploring them to the best of his capabilities before moving to another discipline.
After playing Prince Charming at seven, it ignited his love for performing arts.
He landed a paid performance at 12, but he never thought it could be a career he wanted to pursue until he was 16.
His ambitions took a turn from doctor to actor and his parents, being Asian, were not especially pleased.
“At 16, I was doing art and acting. It was never an option for me to pursue the arts, but I realised that it could be my option.
“It was an Asian thing, but also a realistic expectation, because not many people make it in the industry, and it is really tough.”
Covid-19 realities
Unfortunately, all the dreams he had for Belang, his art showcase, crashed when Covid-19 arrived on Malaysia’s shores.
“Instead of a decreasing response, it just dropped. It put a huge damper on the potential outcome of the show.
“Because it could have been a travelling show, and there were people from other states who were coming to view the show.”
As someone who could not afford to attend art school, Ivan is optimistic that those who are interested in the field, but do not necessarily have the means to go about it, can still hone their talents.
However, he does not want children to think that art will not make them money, and therefore is not an option.
“I don’t want them to do something because it is right, either by their parents or what society dictates. I hope they will listen to themselves.”
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Ivan revealed that the adverse challenges had brought him to the height of his career.
“I was producing, selling, conducting online classes, and taking commission. I had my artwork displayed in virtual exhibitions around the world. I also had time to build my portfolio.”
However, he admitted that the art scene in Penang is struggling.
“During this time, while we support local tourism, I would like to ask people to also support local artists because you will be supporting a scene that is still growing – and hopefully with that support, this scene will turn into a beautiful orchard, eventually.” – The Vibes, September 24, 2020
