CONTENG A SKETCH EXHIBITION: INAUGURATION OF TUKANG ARCA ART SPACE (TuAS) AS MELAKA'S CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ART HUB LOCATED AT MASJID TANAH, MELAKA

State Legislative Assembly Melaka (Lendu); YB Datuk Seri Utama Sulaiman Md Ali inaugurating CONTENG Art Exhibition accompanied by the artists, marking the first opening show for TuAS 

- 10 November 2024

CHRONICLE OF THE NON FINITO: SKETCH

In The Pocket Dictionary of Art Terms, 'Sketch' is defined as, 'A drawing, painting or model made as a rough draft of the composition, preliminary to executing a work of art. Alternatively called Pensiero, Sprezzature, Modello, Esquisse'. These four (4) alternatives of 'Sketch' are further described as below:    

Firstly, 'Pensiero' (Italian), in art is well associated with the term 'Primo Pensiero', literally defined as an 'initial sketch', and practically is regarded as a rough initial sketch by an artist, which delivers its 'first thought' in reality. If art were a window which separates imagination (mind), and reality (matter), then its first light-rays which touches the surface between both sides would obviously be a phenomenon encapsulated as a 'Primo Pensiero'. Hence, paying attention on these initial process, is as close as the audience get to engage with the artist's territory in the creation process of art making. In our reality we find ourselves today, there are collectors so passionate on owning the non finito (non finish) sketches, paying a considerable amount for a single sketch paper, or a substantial amount for a single sketch book.

Secondly, 'Sprezzature' (Italian), is defined by Baldassare Castiglione in The Book of the Courtier; as 'A certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it'. 'Sprezzature' is viewed as an effortless process where the artist do not try too hard while still retaining the perfect conduct in art making. Furthermore, the term can be associate with one's artistic process outcome, given the substantial amount of experience invest in one's art discipline.  The process of producing a signature salad dessert, by an experienced Masterchef would appear effortless in our eyes, yet through its process of tossing, throwing, tasting, and presenting, its nearly impossible to replicate at home, as effortless as the chef, given the same amount of time, and table setting. Hence sketch can also be appreciated as a testament to one's artistic journey, or a master-tool which validates its master. Therefore, owning a sketch of ideas on an artist's work of art, is as essential, as an owner of a building, owning the blueprint of that particular building, or in the Art World; Body-of-Work (BOD).

Thirdly, 'Modello' (Italian), is defined in the Renaissance Art: A Topical Dictionary; as 'A preparatory study or model, usually at a smaller scale, for a work of art or architecture, especially one produced for the approval of the commissioning patron'. 'Modello' is viewed as a preliminary model or prototype of a  suggested finished work of art, used as a brainstorming process to stimulate imagination of an artist, make concrete their intuitions, or solve the problems they set themselves. Thomas Buser remarks in Experiencing Art Around Us from the work 'In the 'Sketch for the Madonna of the Cat (1480)' by Leonardo da Vinci; In the lower part of the design , his (Leonardo's) pen swirled in a tornado of possible positions for the Madonna's legs, even the tail of the cat seems to wag because Leonardo speculated about potential locations for it. He was not being hesitant and uncertain; on the contrary, he rapidly scribbled possibilities on top of each other to let the process itself create his image'. Hence, the creative process of sketching open doors to more possibilities, as well as paving significant paths towards more progress in art making. 

Fourthly, 'Esquisse' (French) taken from 'Schizzo' (Italian). The Art Renewal Center (ARC), describes a completed work of art, as undergoing the process from the unfinished (Non Finito), towards the finishes (Fini), through a gradual progress from the earliest: 'Pochade' (A free, bold, rapid sketch), 'Esquisse' (Slightly more precise sketch than the Pochade), 'Etude' (Highly detailed, extremely precise study of specific details), and finally the Fini (Finis or Finish). Here sketching is a creative process as well as study, including color sketching as works of art of the impressionist painters. Claude Monet is known to have called many of his paintings "bad Poschade". Emile Zola once remarked to Paul Cezanne; "I prefer a thousand times a Pochade, an Esquisse in the open countryside, painted by Camille Corot in the open countryside, face to face with powerful reality". ARC further ascribes that 'Emile Zola feels that the various sketches were more potent, more realistic, and more interesting to look at than the finished paintings, valuing spontaneity over the more analytic types of creativity that go into creating the finish'. Ironically, in Graphic Design the stages of a complete graphical work, are closely identical to steps discussed above, through a creative process on progress; 'Thumbnails' (Pochade), 'Rough' (Esquisse), and Comp or Comprehensive (Etude) respectively.    

In a nutshell, 'Sketch' can be alternatively substitute with the art terms; Pensiero, Sprezzature, Modello, Esquisse, as discussed above. Nevertheless, it should be noticed that the 'unfinished' sketch is aesthetically complete in itself, and is not always regarded as a preliminary or a model for a more finished picture. In a contemporary art setting we find ourselves today, the process in art making is obviously, as good as the taste of art itself.

CHRONICLE OF THE NON FINITO: CONTENG

CONTENG Art Exhibition Poster and Descriptions

CONTENG is a Malay term for scribble, or often associated with 'Sketch', or a 'Rough Sketch'. CONTENG Art Exhibition celebrates the versions and variations, of Malaysian visual vernaculars. The opening of this interesting exhibition takes place at Tukang Arca Art SPace (TuAS), a sculptural workshop studio owned by Malaysian sculpture artist Dr Rosli Zakaria, based in Masjid Tanah, Melaka. This anticipated exhibition will be featuring atleast 40 Sketch works, featured by four (4) celebrated Malaysian visual artists, who have developed their practices to greater heights engaging themselves in the Malaysian Art Scene Ecosystem. Among the celebrated names are, Dr Rosli Zakaria, Abdullah Jones, khairulsani Ismail, and Mohd Affandi Ramli @ Ronasina. 

In western art history, formation of sketching can be traced since prehistoric periods, on cave walls, tools, clothes, and bodies. Interestingly Susanne K. Langer in her book Philosophical Sketches, remarks that 'every culture develops some kind of art as surely as it develops language. Some primitive cultures have no real mythology or religion, but all have some art, dance, song, design'. Subsequently, after tens or hundred thousands of years, in the world we find ourselves today we do experience art on our walls or shelters, tools or devices, clothings or fashions, as well as our bodies. Its safe to say that art is a reflection of society and culture. Thus sketches we find today speaks mostly about the current society or culture we are addressed together. It is within this territory, that sketches do have a language of its own, a discourse; A meaningful communication, precise and penetrative, in expressing, shaping cultural ideas, and practice.  These creative and penetrative discourse creates a critical narrative on political, economical, social, and religious institutions, through their provocative visual, and attentive textual, as evident in this CONTENG Art Exhibition. 

Works by Dr Rosli Zakaria

DR ROSLI ZAKARIA sketch works invites the audience towards the artists's exploration on expressions of social and cultural 'idiom' (ideas), as well as 'medium' (Sketches). The artist presents his ideas on mediums of 3-Dimensional unfinished sculpture, as well as, preliminary sketches on variation of paper sizes, and teared strips of paper. The process of amalgamating between the 'idiom and medium' depicts the artist's contemplation, and exploration upon justifying the process of sketching itself; as a brainstorming process to stimulate imagination of an artist, make concrete their intuitions, or solve the problems they set themselves. The art historian Henri Focillion views this process as 'Artistic forms as living entities that evolved and changed over time according to the nature of their materials and their spatial setting'. This is evident through rough and rusted surface of the model or unfinished sculptures presented by the artist, the edging texture are sharped, and unpolished, yet the artist manages to capture a sketch of his ideas on the represented outcome. Furthermore, besides the provocative visual, the artist also plays with attentive textual writings such as 'If you don't vote? don't be mad!!', such statement does creates a critical discourse on the social, and political institutions we find ourselves.

Works by Abdullah Jones

ABDULLAH JONES sketch works invokes the audience towards the artist's spontaneity and free-willing of expressions which is strong in visual narratives, suggesting signs and symbols which confronts critical social issues on individuals, generations, as well as institution. The creative outcome of the artist's sketches depicts his vision and reflections on reorganizing chaotic principles in life, executed in rough and  unfinished manner, where its ideas penetrates across generation, since the artist is also an art writer himself, his idioms is identical to its mediums. This is evident through the artist's polychrome color sketching where often the figures are depicted through their primordial beings, most of the time blended in nature suggesting the spontaneity and free-willing of humankind against the chaotic principles of life. In the artist's work 'Cakap Memang Mudah (2021)', translated as talking is easy, the colors chosen are more towards monochrome oriented, perhaps the artists does connotes segregated mood, which depends on his subjects. Moreover, besides the provocative visual, the artist also plays with attentive textual writings such as 'Belief in God, Loyalty to the King and Country, Supremacy of the Constitution, Sovereignty of the Law', which reflects the five (5) National Principles of Malaysia. Below the text mentioned, are a garden of flowers, and a gateway towards order and chaos, such statements inscribed, does formulates questions on 'What' and 'How' do we address harmony in a peaceful heterogeneous nation we might find ourselves.

Works by Khairulsani Ismail

KHAIRULSANI ISMAIL sketch works evokes the audience towards the artist's apperception between the conscious and subconscious reality of the world we encounter ourselves. The artist is viewed as presenting his ideas in an 'Existentialism' approach; by exploring the existence of human individual, despite the absurdity or incomprehensibility of the universe, individuals must still embrace responsibility as well as take accountability in the world we discover ourselves. Most of the artist's figured sketches represent individual figure masked or represented as monster-like through its surreal depiction of non-human behaviour upon tossing swords between limbs, as well as throwing out bizarre objects out of the mouth. Each time these weapons such as swords and arrows pierce the body, the following part of the weapon is covered with red blood marks, depicting the vulnerability of mankind, juxtaposed through its monstrous acts and behaviour. The artist is also keen in exploring the synthetical mix-media materials which helps shape his reality or understanding upon his identical idioms, and mediums in art making. Furthermore, besides the provocative visual, the artist also plays with attentive textual writings such as 'Covering my face protection from the unknown MASK, my shield of life', such statement does draws the artistic apperception between the layers of conscious and subconscious reality in life, where we confront ourselves as responsible individuals, accountable with the decisions we express, and shape ourselves in life. 

Works by Ronasina

MOHD AFFANDI RAMLI @ RONASINA sketch works draws the audience towards the artists's social commentarial responds towards the society and culture we find ourselves today. The artist portrays his ideas on the characters involved in his sketches, mostly a conversation dialogue of at least two caricature characters. From the sketches it safe to say that, most of the main characters involved in the conversations are colored in polychrome, juxtaposed by the monochrome background which are mostly framed in the composition to highlight the subject of interest. The characters depicted by the artist for his sketches are at times addresses dynamically through different generations of young and old, old and new. The artist also creates a critical discourse in on the different narratives represented through genders, status, generations, and institutions. Moreover, besides the provocative visual, the artist also plays with attentive textual writings such as 'Why is your drawing expensive? when your cost is only pens and paper! To the fact the artist himself s not afraid to confront or meet the gap between the society, and the art institutions. By challenging this status-quo, the artist exemplifies how Arnold Hauser addresses art making; The behaviour of individuals is the product both of their inborn capacities and of the situation in which they find themselves. Hence artist acts as active agents upon addressing, as well as responding towards social and cultural issues we find ourselves. 

In a nutshell, sketching at our younger age appeared more effortless, as well as spontaneous, purely removed from the ideas of social; roles, status, generation, and institution. The unfinished (Non Finito) or incomplete experiences, takes the pleasure of the infiniteness, as a fascination of gazing a new-born, which arouses the imagination, towards something more, of the infinite possibilities in life. With that I end with Picasso's, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up".

Info: This interesting CONTENG Art Exhibition will take place at Tukang Arca Art Space (TuAS) from 30 October 2024 - 30 November 2024. (Opening: 10 November 2024)

 'Keep on Charging!'

MUSADDIQ MOHAMAD KHALIL

Department  of Liberal Studies

UiTM Alor Gajah

PACAQ- UITM RIG 2024

G.A.S UiTM Melaka 2024