From the paper to the screen, let’s meet some local and talented digital artists.
By Sherra Yeong
Embrace the new, preserve the old. As digital art enters a new phase in the modern world, the same goes for artists aiming to make an impact in the universe of visual arts and in the art of self-expression. We got in touch with four digital artists in Malaysia to find out their unique stories, current art focus and specialities, as well as their personal thoughts on digital art and the use of AI-generated artwork.
Isabel Thong
Photo credit: Hao Yuan Cheng
Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2020, Isabel Thong’s journey in art began when she started joining art classes as a child. She usually uses conventional methods of creating art, though she has also recently ventured into digital art. Her current focus is on Fish-themed illustrations, and incorporates Chinese landscape art as well as vibrant colours to give her art a wow-factor.
She was involved in RINTIS 2020 (an annual exhibition organized by USM for final year students), and participated in the Georgetown Festival 2019 and the THISNOTTHAT Fashion Presentation Show Converse X 2019.
According to Thong, “Digital art is good if you want to archive something, but we should also practice traditional methods of creating art.” While she thinks digital art, especially ones created by AI, are a bit strange and unconventional, she also believes that it doesn’t threaten the value of an artist. Digital art is also more convenient to bring around and to have at the ready whenever it needs to be displayed.
Fish food LGBT 1
Thong’s artwork can be found on Instagram: @is.a.rebell, and at https://arteesan.io/Isabelthong
Benjamin Lam
Drawn to the call of the pencil and paper from a young age, Benjamin Lam attributes his approach in art to his time spent studying for his diploma in graphic design. While acknowledging the merits of dynamic art styles, he is an artist who prefers traditional graphic design elements such as calculated composition, layout, and symmetry. Working full-time at Han Chiang University College of Communication, Benjamin Lam teaches graphic design and multimedia to diploma and degree students.
On digital art and the use of AI, he mentions that it is a moral and ethical grey area. While it is unethical to claim AI art as our own work, it definitely has a lot of potential for developing interesting ideas.
“We live in an exciting time where digital art is being taken more seriously, and an artist can come up with interesting ways to engage with the audience,” he says.
Sin & Punishment
Currently focusing on manga and cyberpunk-style elements combined with Asian influences, Lam’s artwork can be found on Instagram: @the_world_ends_tonight.
Ellis Khan
A previous gallery manager and photography major, Ellis Khan has a good eye for art and a passion for creating surrealism-themed art with actual real-life stories using digital collage (photomontage) as a medium. Inspired by the theme “Alice in Wonderland”, her artworks are based on situations and experiences that people can relate to, but also those that border between dreams and reality.
To her, digital art is the future, adding “People tend to be scared of new things, but it’s a good thing.” It is a great way for artists on the go to create art wherever they are. And while AI may not replace human artists yet, it is certainly useful in generating ideas by putting bits and pieces together to conceptualize an artwork.
Solitude
Her artwork can be found on Instagram: @ellis.labyrinth, with previous exhibitions held at various locations including Kecik Kecik Art Exhibition (Hin Bus Depot, Penang), Simulacrum Exhibition (Zhan Art Space, Selangor), and various international exhibitions in New York and London.
Foxg
Think foxes, think Foxg. His signature “fox” character is bound to beguile you. Stemming from the Sungai Petani underground scene in collaboration with local artists, Foxg’s work involves using different mediums from digital art to spray paint techniques focusing on graffiti art and wild-style epigrams. He has also been involved in various projects with Dubai Graffiti, National Art Gallery Malaysia, Federal and State Municipal Councils, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Foundation of Khazanah Nasional, and local and international companies.
For Foxg, “Creating digitally saves time.” He mentions that digital art allows him to quickly make changes on the fly, and provides him with more opportunities to collaborate with various brands and companies. On the use of AI in creating art, he believes that compared to human-made art, AI-generated digital art is far from having the ability to convey true expressions and emotions through the artwork.
Striking Resemblance
Foxg’s artwork can be found on Instagram: @foxg_, at opensea.io/foxg94, and on random streets “if you’re lucky”.
It seems our four featured local artists are embracing the potentials of digital art, using it to inspire their artwork and to bring the expression of art to new heights and horizons.
Unless stated otherwise, all photos courtesy of the respective artists.
Sherra Yeong is a local writer, book author, and full-time food and wine lover. She specializes in food, and enjoys writing about food that touches the heart and moves the soul. Find out more at: sherrayeong.com