Dyslexic Artist Turns Penang's Marine Artifacts Into Beautiful Sculptures
Ono Kang's artworks serve as a visual record of his personal recollections and life experiences.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 30 Apr 2024, 12:41 PM
Growing up in George Town's jetties, Ono Kang's childhood was steeped in the maritime heritage of his family
The Penangite hails from a line of prominent sailors and traders in the charcoal industry, and from an early age, Kang developed a keen interest in collecting various items from George Town.
This sculpture is titled 'Above All Else, We Must Learn to Control Our Breath', and it draws inspiration from a time machine.
Image via ArtisFairThe items Kang collected ranged from furniture and household objects to industrial equipment, which he amassed and painstakingly crafted into sculptures and installations
These artworks serve as a visual record of his personal recollections and life experiences, and you can see them at Kang's solo exhibition, Forged by Time: Ono Kang's Visual Diary.
Kang's art exhibition was made possible through the Lumina art residency program under ArtisFair, which was founded by Malaysian fashion designer Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran.
The exhibition opened its doors on 24 April and runs until 25 May at Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur.
'Oui! I am a blind cow' expresses Kang's anger at being unable to connect with the world through the written word.
Image via ArtisFairDespite the challenges posed by dyslexia, Kang's passion for artistic expression flourished through his collection of artifacts from George Town
Kang dreamt of taking over his grandfather's junk ship and sailing the waters of the region. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he faced undiagnosed dyslexia, causing him to leave school early.
This prompted Kang to explore the realm of arts as a means to convey his narrative, replacing the limitations of written language that failed to accommodate his unique perspective.
From left: Founder of ArtisFair and esteemed fashion creator Dato’ Sri Bernard Chandran, Fahrenheit88 Director of Marketing Kung Suan Ai, and Malaysian installation artist Ono Kang.
Image via ArtisFairBernard created the Lumina art residency program to provide artists like Kang with a nurturing environment to thrive and innovate
"At Lumina, our aim is to provide a sanctuary where artists of all backgrounds and stages of their career find solace and support to nurture their artistic vision without any judgements. Together, we foster an environment where every artist can thrive, innovate and inspire," Bernard said.
Ono Kang's 'Forged by Time: Ono Kang's Visual Diary' is open daily from 11am to 9pm except on Monday at Level 3 Fahrenheit88, Kuala Lumpur. The exhibition runs until 25 May 2024.
