Tropicana November-December 2020 #133 The Festive Issue

THE ARTChoong describes

THE ARTChoong describes herself as being a bohemian artist.“Basically, it’s a lifestyle to be able to draw and paint authenticallyand also be able to travel,” muses Choong, who studied Frenchand interior design at University College London. She is quickto add: “However, the bohemian part is proving to be anideology; in reality, I have to treat art as a business.”Although this past year has been challenging, no thanksto the pandemic, Choong has opted to look at the brighterside of things. “Despite COVID-19 and the devastation thatit has brought upon the world, it has actually turned out to bemy best year. I have never had to work so hard in my life tosucceed, as my mindset was to work or die.”Entering 2020, Choong had two group art exhibitionsalready planned. The first was BELANG at the PenangState Art Gallery in collaboration with the Departmentof Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN). Theexhibition, which featured Choong’s art piece Bulan, showedMalaysia’s commitment to addressing the extinction ofthe Malayan Tiger.During the Movement Control Order (MCO), Choongwas approached by restaurant De Wan 1958 by Chef Wan. “Itwas to illustrate for the ‘My Unity Tiffin’ carrier for Merdekaand Malaysia Day celebration, a collaboration between ChefWan and Hugo Boss to support local restaurants and the LostFood Project. They wanted illustrations of Malaysian wildlifeincluding the Malayan Tiger and so Bulan the tiger was ableto shine once more for a good cause.”Another project she participated in during the MCOwas “Portraits For NHS Heroes”. The project was initiatedby British artist Tom Croft as a way to celebrate and thankfrontliners, medics and nurses for their work during thepandemic. Artists were invited to offer portraits of frontlinerson Instagram using the hashtag #PortraitsforNHSHeroes.This project has since been curated as a permanent virtual artexhibition on Google Arts and Culture website.During the MCO, social media connected Choong andher art to the world. “It has been a lifesaver! During thelockdown, I completed a series of paintings on birds which Iobserved from my balcony. I made them available to downloadonline for free for people who were keen to start birdwatching,”explains Choong.“I also started a series of pet portrait commissions, whichI collaborated with singer-songwriter Chelsia Ng who providedthe music to my art videos. It was a way to generate someincome but the joy of reading my clients’ feedback on socialmedia exceeded any monetary reward.”Thus far, Choong has participated in various groupexhibitions such as Chairity (organised by National CancerInternal monologues, a mixed media work.Portrait of a frontliner.My Unity Tiffin’ illustrated by Tiffany Choong for De Wan 1958 by Chef WanTM | NOVEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 32

“The intention of my art is to bringjoy and celebrate life by giving a voiceto nature and wildlife and shininglight on certain topics to createenlightening conversations.”Garden of EdenEnchanted forest Once upon a time Be still and listen to your soulMidsummers night dreamSociety at The Edge Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in 2014), FemmesPlurielles (by Alliance Francaise at The Pitt Street, Penang in2015) and 8 (all-women exhibition at China House Galleryin 2017).In 2018, Choong held her very first exhibition as asolo artist; it was held at G Art Gallery in G Hotel, Penang.Titled Treasures Of A Straits Chinese, it featured 30 paintingsinspired by Choong’s Peranakan ancestry; more than half ofthe collection were sold within the first week.Most of the works were painted in gold and black, usingacrylic and oil on canvas. They revolved around elementsof nature, including flowers and insects. From the crestfeathers of the cockatoo in the Garden Of Eden to thedragonfly’s flight in Flutter Your Wings And Fly, the piecesare exquisitely detailed.”According to Choong, her art has its roots in thePeranakan culture. Somewhere during the process of creatingthis collection, it dawned on her that she is the legacy of herancestors. “It brought back memories of my childhood, ofbeing surrounded by black-and-gold furnishings and colourfulporcelain vases,” says Choong, who is the third of four siblings;she is the only girl.“I wanted to bring this heritage back which many peoplemay have forgotten. In my imagination, if the Peranakanculture evolves, what will the next phase look like?” She didinject a couple of modern elements here and there; one of hermost favourite paintings (You Make My Heart Smile) featureda pair of flamingos.Away from art, her passions include travelling and sports.“I am a bit of a sponge, I like a lot of things. By travelling, Imeet people from different cultures and backgrounds whichbroadens the mind. And if I am in Penang, I hike up PenangHill every other day.”What’s her advice to aspiring artists?“Know the reality of the industry, and the hard work thatgoes into it. One must also be able to stand the course of time,as you might not be making money for the first few years.Anyone can follow their passion and become an artist but tomake a living from it, one has to treat it is as a business andbecome an artpreneur.”For more on Choong’s works, visit www.BulanLifestyle.comEmotional Juxtaposition of Time & Space – Blue (2020), Acrylic on canvas.33 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | TM