If you didn’t have time to visit the 8” x 6” Project II in its first home at City Hall, don’t worry. It has moved and has re-opened in the art gallery at penangpac in Straits Quay.
The first 8’’ by 6’’ Project launched as part of Open Studios Penang 2019, and was the fulfilment of a long-held dream by curator Ivan Gabriel. He approached 30 creative individuals with different artistic styles and backgrounds, but with their involvement in the Penang Arts community in common. All of them were given an 8” x 6” piece of wood and was asked to use it in their exhibit somehow. The resulting exhibition was held in a gallery/artist studio space at 26, Lorong Carnarvon, during Open Studios Penang in June, and 60% of the exhibits were sold.
By Ho Chung Kwang
The even bigger 8’’ by 6’’ Project II involves double the number of artists and creative individuals. Once again each was given a piece of wood block measuring 8 inches by 6 inches, and was asked to incorporate it into their work somehow. These wood blocks came originally from the trunks of trees that were uprooted in a thunderstorm that hit Penang in November 2017. The thunderstorm caused massive floods all around Penang, destruction of homes, as well as landslides that caused deaths.
Out of Context ? By Mandy Maung
The resulting exhibition, which opened yesterday and runs until October 24th once again demonstrates the enormous creativity that permeates Penang. Some artists painted on the wood; some incorporated the wood into a larger painting; some used it to make woodblock prints and jewellery, others built sculptures on it.
Buddy Fish Owls Finding Peace in à Wrecked Tree, by Nasir Nadzir
8” x 6” Project II, is open until November 8th 2019 at upstairs at penangpac, Straits Quay, 10am-6pm daily.