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The Art Journey of Pekan Nanas

Last year I met watercolours artist, Lee Chin Chian, when he made his project pitch to the Award Committee for the Iskandar Malaysia Beyond Boundaries Programme (IMB2P) at the offices of Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA).

Guest-of-Honour, YB Sheikh Umar speaking at
the opening event for The Art Journey of Pekan Nanas
Lee, whose hometown is Pontian, had applied for a grant to conduct a Sketch Walk through the Pekan Nanas new village in the theme, Art Journey of Pekan Nanas.

This project would involve local and foreign artists who would sketch and paint live scenes and wall murals in Pekan Nanas new village while they experience the local culture and heritage.

I still remember the way Lee passionately described his proposal and how participants of the Sketch Walk could appreciate the on-location art experience along with the popular local food in this area.

I know that “new villages” have a significant role in our nation’s history because it was in fact, a counter insurgency technique employed by the British here in the mid-1950s during the Malayan Emergency.

Designs on wooden coasters, fridge magnets and key-chains
 inspired by window grille designs in new village homes
New villages were formed by the relocation of the population, mainly Chinese, into guarded camps in order to isolate them and prevent the army insurgents led by the Malayan Communist Party, from receiving their supply of food, material, information and in getting new recruits.

Since the nation’s independence in 1957, these villages have evolved into residential areas and most have been demolished for redevelopment.

The few that remain are precious pieces of history and I can understand why Lee aims to preserve the charm and beauty of the Pekan Nanas new village in his project.

Local art activist, Cha Ming Cheng and
the range of wooden handicrafts inspired by
Kampung Cina Pekan Nanas homes
The Pekan Nanas new village, fondly known as Kampung Cina Pekan Nanas, has some 70 years of history and is thriving, with many homes still occupied by third generation families.

Fast-forward to mid-2019 when IRDA awarded the shortlisted applicants with their IMB2P grants and the grantees went forward with their art and culture projects.

Lee was among the grantees who did not hesitate in embarking on his Art Journey of Pekan Nanas project in collaboration with several local art activists.

On June 15, the group of invited guests arrived in Pekan Nanas for a three-day-two-night art and heritage experience.

Cover design of the wooden trinket box that resembles
the typical facade of a new village home
They included 40 artists and 10 photographers, not only from Johor but also from Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and China.

When I met Lee again, it was in Pekan Nanas at the opening ceremony of an exhibition to showcase The Art Journey of Pekan Nanas.

Lee introduced me to local art activist, Cha Ming Cheng of Batu 27 Creative, who proudly showed me the range of wooden handicrafts in classic designs that were inspired by the window grilles of new village homes.

Made from wood salvaged from wooden pallets, the handicrafts were designed as coasters, fridge magnets and keychains as well as a small trinket box, skilfully embossed with a range of window grille motifs using a laser cutter.

Watercolour paintings of window grilles by Jonas Lim
are converted into a series of picture postcards
As Cha discovered the interesting range of metal window grille designs in the new village homes, he wanted to preserve them for posterity.

After he had captured the designs in photographs, Jonas Lim, a young watercolour artist under Lee’s tutelage, was tasked with doing a series of painting.

A total of 12 paintings of window grille designs were painted by Lim and these pieces of artwork have been converted into picture postcards.

A closer look revealed that the cover of the wooden trinket box is designed to resemble the typical façade of a new village home: A door in the centre – guarded by collapsible gates – and two windows on either side of the door, open wide to display its metal grille designs.

Lee Chin Chian with a canvas created from
the fibers of pineapple leaves
He said all souvenir items may be sold separately but the box set should contain one coaster, one keychain, one fridge magnet and four postcards.

Cha was pleased that they have now produced the first of many souvenirs that would remind visitors of the uniqueness of Pekan Nanas.

I was pleased to learn that they already have plans to set up a one-stop Visitors Centre in Pekan Nanas town for visitors to pick up maps to the local attractions, arrange for guided tours and to buy souvenirs and local products.

I’m familiar with new villages and admired these paintings of authentic new village scenes, rendered in watercolours and oil paints, that captured the essence of a gated and guarded community from a bygone era.

There were no fences around the homes – simple structures built mainly in wood, originally topped by thatched or zinc roofs but now by tiles – and the shadows were cast by matured trees in the shared gardens.

It was significant that a section of the paintings on display were painted on sheets of canvas created from the fibers of pineapple leaves.

A section of the display with new village scenes painted
on canvas created from fibers of pineapple leaves
The Guests-of-Honour for the event were, YB Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, the Paloh assemblyman with the portfolio for Information, Entrepreneurship Development, Cooperatives and Creative Economy and YB Yeo Tung Siong, state assemblyman for Pekan Nanas.

YB Yeo expressed his pleasure in how the charm of Pekan Nanas was successfully captured by the various pieces of artwork showcased at the exhibition and he hoped that such an event could become an annual one.

He was also pleased that in October, this exhibition on The Art Journey of Pekan Nanas, would be displayed at a venue in Johor Baru, for more people to appreciate what Pekan Nanas has to offer.

Happy recipients of uniquely Pekan Nanas souvenirs;
[Left to Right] YB Yeo Tung Siong,
YB Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali and Yours Truly!
YB Sheikh Umar said that Pekan Nanas was unlike other Johor destinations like JB, Kota Tinggi or Mersing, and even though it is a small town, it is big in talent.

He congratulated the organisers and commended them for their initiative to carry out this art and heritage project which goes a long way to bridge the local community and promote this small town to the rest of Johor and beyond.

He encouraged them to continue in their efforts to promote Pekan Nanas so that eventually, visitors who come to JB have a sole intention to visit Pekan Nanas.

He also hoped that while the visiting artists were in Pekan Nanas, there was a transfer of skills and education so that local people learned from them and are empowered to do something beneficial for themselves and the local community.

As a token of appreciation, Lee presented YB Sheikh Umar and YB Yeo with his sketch portraits of the two Guests-of-Honour.

They were also each presented with a souvenir of that wooden trinket box, complete with one coaster, one keychain, one fridge magnet and four postcards, within.

It was my pleasure to receive a similar souvenir wooden box too!

The Art Journey of Pekan Nanas exhibition is on now for a limited time until September 2, held at PTD 14270 Jalan Industri 8, Taman Perindustrian Pekan Nanas, Pekan Nanas, 81500 Pontian, Johor. 

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