FOR over 30 years, professional artist and designer K. Gunabalan stood by his wife and veteran DAP Wanita advocate Datuk Seri Chong Eng in her fight.
Despite suffering a stroke, Gunabalan knew that in any marriage, sacrifices are needed and decided to be the best husband possible to a female political leader - watching and counselling on the sidelines as Chong Eng blazed the trail of women's representation.
Along the way, Chong Eng, an ex-Consumers Association of Penang associate, created history by becoming the sole DAP representative in Penang after the 1995 general election, her ascension as the Bukit Mertajam MP and her fight for the rights of the fairer sex.
Today, after she was not returned as a candidate after last year's state election, Chong Eng has found spare time to help Gunabalan showcase some 60 artworks and designs in his inaugural solo art exhibition at the state legislative assembly building.
It is now her turn to be on the sidelines.
And it is only natural, that the exhibition is held there as Chong Eng had dominated the proceedings in the assembly for some three decades.
She was a fierce representative of her constituency, while Gunabalan, the younger brother of the late K. Sugumaran, the legendary editor of "The Star, The Sun and New Straits Times," sat in supportive mode at the gallery.
The Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak has graciously consented to launch the artworks and designs of Gunabalan, or Guna to his friends.
Chong Eng hopes the pieces can garner the right attention as it is a representation of her husband's crusade for social causes and devotion to justice.
Both joined DAP at the same time
Both had joined DAP at the same time and endured the dark and happy times of the socialist party, especially when its retired founder Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang was at the forefront in leading the Penang charge.
Guna shared with The Vibes that the paintings, and designs resemble what he saw in the world, including getting inspiration from his wife's tireless political work, Hinduism and historical perspective, from the colonial era to the import of Indians as first labourers.
Chong Eng says that Guna sees the plight of the Indians and recreates it through his paintings, some are sombre and some are delightful of the community's achievements.
The public is invited to attend the solo exhibit, which runs from Dec 7 - 15 during office hours.
Some of Guna's works are also up for sale for those keen to own the priceless artworks. - The Vibes, November 27, 2024.
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