Hi, I'm Elaine Wong.
I'm an artist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who works mostly in acrylics, marker pens and also (recently) in gouache, leather paints, fabric paints and ink. Aside from paintings and drawings on canvases, I also love painting on wood, stones, bags, shoes and other wearables.
What is the help about?
I'm planning to show my works in a solo exhibition this coming December, to mark my end of the year with something special to share with others. I've got into an accident where I broke my left leg with 3 tibia / fibula fractures in February this year. The recovery period was incredibly slow for me, I was home bound with mobility problems for many months to recuperate. Nevertheless, as an artist & creative person, it was surprisingly not too hard during my down time - I was able to express and process the trauma, emotions & my healing experiences through my creative outlets - via journaling, painting, sketching, etc. (I am able to walk now, albeit with a slight limp.)
The only difficulty is the financial part - where as I'm working for my own business, and the lack of active pursues, promotions, marketing & networking socially would mean the decrease of income. And therefore the reason why I'm creating this page is to ask for your help to support the funding of this show - that will be the first & only ever show of the year for me since my accident.
Why this solo exhibition?
I really wish to share with the world some of the works with a specific style that I've been working on that embodies the change & shift I have experienced during my healing stage. When I was processing my intense emotions mentally, physically, psychologically, emotionally, even spiritually, I found that I could do that with art - and I can't wait to show the works to you, to tell you my stories. They are a series of works I named Blessed Series, that I started conceptualizing & painting in March after coming back from hospitalization.
When & where will it be held?
The show is tentatively planned for 6-8 Dec, 2019. I've engaged a respected curator who have always believed in my values, who supports my idea and wanted to bring my vision to life - to curate this show for me in Ipoh, in a very unique private gallery that majestically converted from an old rows of shop lots into an artistic hub space. I love the gallery and its concept & essence, as well as this sweet little city Ipoh, situated to the northwest of Malaysia, which brings back the simplicity and down to earth nature of human beings. I fell in love with the city when I came here for a short getaway, and knew that I needed to invite others to come visit this city too.
This is the full view of the gallery space:
Here are some examples of my previous works exhibited in The POD KL:
What are the show's plans?
There will be a main section for my solo exhibition pieces where I get to tell my personal stories with my paintings, alongside with other activities and small displays of other artists' works. Interactive activities like mindful art & craft workshops that goes with my theme would be held. I will also have a few sharing sessions about my art & processes. I will update here whenever I have more details, if the show is funded enough to really be able to start.
How you can help?
You are welcome to donate any amount, but as little as USD5 (which is equivalent to about RM20) is deeply appreciated with a little token of my art merchandise which I will send to you as my gratitude. I will continue to update the progress here if I happen to receive any offline funds from friends so you will know if I've hit my target. I will also schedule some slots of personalized gifts for backers and update here so stay tuned.
You do not need a PayPal account to make donation. The Paypal account I set up for this accepts credit or debit card. PayPal may ask you for your phone number, and you have to key in your number in a particular format for it to go through. Eg, if your number is 012-3456789, you should key in 12-3456789, without area code. All donation will be in US dollar-denomination.
How will the funds be used?
What I'm raising here is really straightforward. The funds will be used for space and curatorial services, logistics and art materials for the planned 3 day exhibitions.
What kind of work do I do? What is my big WHY?
I'm primarily a doodle and intuitive artist. Often I combine the two, intersecting zen motifs and doodles with colourful intuitive healing messages expressed as a kaleidoscope into the inner world. I also deal with exposing my own vulnerability, as well as personal chronicles through thematic series in my paintings.
I've always believed that with art as my medium, I could use my creative expressions to touch people's heart, inspire growth, catalyze realizations of internal truths and discover the importance of expression can bring to improve a person's life. Each time if my painting & its story could evoke a particular message for someone, be it just a little hint or reminder of an intention set for life's growth - it is enough to consider I have done my job well.
My work is grounded in self-determinism, the belief that art can deliver healing messages to the beholder and a great desire to make an impact and contribute to the greater consciousness in the world around me.
I also run a creative coworking+coliving+colearning space in a residential home in USJ Subang Jaya called The Hatchery Place, where I connect conscious creative like-minded souls together in a home. More about my story here 😊
By helping me today, you're really helping not only an artist to achieve her small vision, you are also planting a seed of kindness in my garden so it will be blossomed and spread forward to others when it grows. You are helping me to kick start my year 2020 for more courage, more creative expressions and productivity!
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