In the eyes of an artist like Yeoh Kean Thai, there are different facets to an inanimate object and the biggest challenge is to capture each dimension expertly without ruining its essence and character.

The bespectacled artist, who is also a part-time lecturer at a leading art college in the city, is most intrigued with junk for he feels there is a fine line between junk and antiques.

"Part of it is about aesthetics, which is why I love painting objects others term as 'junk'. To me, there is a significant beauty to junk," he explained, pointing towards a set of paintings of an old iron.

He has also ventured into the unique concept of producing sets instead of series. It involved progressive drawings leading to the final piece.

"To me, the stages involved in developing the final piece hold as much importance as th final piece for they help me relate to the painting process," said Yeoh, who is one of the resident artists at ARTalk in Bangsar.

artist: Yeoh Kean Thai
(2002)

The former student of Penang Free School has his art teacher to thank for, instilling in him a keen interest in art. However, upon leaving school, Yeoh neglected his hobby. Then things changed during his two-year tenure as a government servant.

Impressed with a series of maps he produced, Yeoh's department head encouraged him to take up art seriously. But at that point, family finances were tight, so Yeoh continued working to save enough for a proper art education.

When he was finally ready, he travelled to KL and enrolled in an art college, where he found that he was the most mature student in class. It worked well for him, though, as his work was viewed as more individualistic than the rest.

Although the father of two young boys has yet to hold a solo exhibition, he has exhibited his works in a series of exhibitions since 1992.

"I feel the need to complete more sets before I am finally ready for my first solo exhibition. I hope to be ready by next year," he said.

Besides painting junk, Yeoh likes semi-abstracts and enjoys imparting a three-dimensional effect to his works. In his quest to develop three-dimensional works, Yeoh strives to capture the extraordinary depth of structural mass.

artist: Yeoh Kean Thai
(2002)

Meanwhile, the preferred medium for most of his work is acrylic or Indian ink on canvas. Most of Yeoh's works are currently on display at ARTalk.

ARTalk Gallery is at 22-2 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL.