WHAT happens when the highly anticipated annual festival in Penang, the George Town Festival (GTF), is forced to pack their hopes of a physical celebration? They have decided, albeit in a very short span of time, to ferry art into homes via online channels.
The ‘Step by Step’ hands-on workshop is one of the programs slotted in at the very last minute, just weeks shy from its opening date. The organisers engaged prominent Penang-based artists, Julian Kam Seng Yew (known as Lefty in artist’s circles) and Leong Wai Khong to guide enthusiasts to draw at home.
A tote bag and colouring materials will be shipped to the homes of those who register to be participants. During the one-hour session, the artists will guide them to draw the subject in their own unique way.
“It is not like art class with children where everyone ends up drawing the same thing.
“I’ll introduce the subject, which is the ferry. I am going to teach them how to draw it at the allocated position, but the way they draw it is entirely theirs,” Kam told The Vibes.
“Those who are in my session will be drawing the iconic Penang ferry,” he said, explaining that he wanted people to remember and celebrate what was the most recognisable form of transportation in Penang.
Kam said that his original exhibition, ‘Sama-Sama: A Multicultural Art Journey’ that features elements of the Penang ferry, was supposed to be showcased during GTF, but had to be postponed because of the ongoing lockdown.
“My art exhibition explores a sensory perspective, looking at the harmony of people in Penang and the multiculturalism of this place. The ferry is the place where everyone will hop on. No matter what status, people who visit would have taken the ferry.
“It is an iconic element in my art series, and my visual interpretations serve as a positive memory of the ferry,” he said.
The icon lives on through the transmission of knowledge and skill.
“Of course, nothing beats physical activities, especially when it comes to GTF, but this is the best we can do to have an interactive event, rather than talk, and everyone comes in to listen to me. Through ‘Step by Step’, I can interact with the participants as we doodle using Sharpies.
“Art is one way to keep the morale of the people up; it gives people something to do, encourages people to create instead of looking at up and down Covid-19 infection numbers every day.
“For those who admire art, have thought about dabbling in art but have never come around to it, now is a good time to start.”
Similarly, Leong will also guide participants at a separate Zoom session on how to draw a trishaw on a tote bag. ‘Step by Step’ will run on July 17 and 18 at 8pm. Leong’s session will be on July 17, with Kam’s session on July 18. The session costs RM30, inclusive of a tote bag and art materials.
Those who are interested can register for their spot at https://georgetownfestival.com/2021/programmes/step-by-step/.
This year, all of GTF’s physical events are postponed until further notice. Only online programs will be running from July 10 to 18. - The Vibes, July 3, 2021
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