THE ANT ARTIST 蚂蚁画家

Life · Hope (III) 2009 68cm x 68cm By THO XIN YI thoxinyi@thestar.com.my Photos by MUHAMMAD AKIF MASRI FOR your information, do not attempt to squeeze the tiny ants “crawling” on Goh Ah Ang’s paintings displayed at Balai Seni Maybank. As lifelike as they might appear, the insects were actually drawn on the canvases with paintbrushes. The ants seemed to be passers-by on his paintings, crawling beside or over weathered glyphs, ancient characters and calligraphy. Ribbon cut: Amirsham (second from left) launching the art exhibition at Balai Seni Maybank. On the left is Mohd Salleh. Goh , who is the founder of Top-Art School of Art in Klang and chief consultant of the Federation of International Colour-Ink Artists in Taiwan, said he is the first artist to choose ants as a painting subject, and it had become his identity. Thirty years ago, he painted a sparrow sitting on a window frame, looking at an ant on the curtain. Although it was only a minor character, the ant piqued the viewers’ i

To analyze and appreciate the works of Malaysian Artist Mr. Goh Ah Ang 　　 by 　Huang Chao Hu (Chairman of the Federation of International Color-Ink Artists, Taiwan and the Visiting professor of Purlinton University, USA) 　　 Conversation　　Ink on papar　　2007 　　 　　 F or the past ten years, while promoting the eastern art of color ink in the international arena, I met renowned artists from more than 30 countries. They were from different levels of professionalism such as the heads of art institutions, deans or lecturers, historical artists, commentators and professional artists. We normally met at annual international art exhibitions and the pieces displayed greatly enhanced our relationship. Among these artists is one Malaysian by the name of Goh Ah Ang. He is one of my most admired and appreciated friends. 　　Mr. Goh’s works titled “Ants” have made him popular in Malaysia and even in the international arena. He is highly respected and in fact he assisted in organising international art ex