Contemporary indigenous artist and activist Shaq Koyok, 29, is passionate to the core of his love of the natural environment and surroundings.
Born a Temuan, in an ‘Orang Asli’ or aboriginal village called Kampung Pulau Kempas in Banting, Selangor, Shaq started painting as a child.
Shaq’s paintings of the rainforests in which he grew up are evocative of the thoughts he struggles to verbalize with the changes he wants for Malaysia’s indigenous peoples.
Portraiture of Shaq Koyok “Culture Attack”
Shaq has a fascination for portraitures. These faces have haunting eyes that are soulful and fraught with high emotions.
This inability to stop the crime of deforestation, illegal logging, or blatant burning of the forest is hurting them.
Their silent cries rise like dew evaporating.
Hopelessness, plagued by helplessness, traumatized and stigmatized perhaps by his own emotions that is so thick it etches life-like emotions on the portrait’s faces.
Shaq’s growing concern about the world and the Orang Asli people through his paintings and works have been shown in the UK, Australia, and the USA.
Shaq Koyok’s first solo Contemporary Indigenous Art Exhibition in 2014.
“G Hotel is a local company, and we promote local art and talents.
We believe Penangites will well receive Shaq’s works,” said Hanratty.
Praying for Prosperity
In Red Flame
Battle of Dark Matter.
Art Demo
Shaq Koyok arranging the strips of cut canvas and encouraging the visitors to take a piece each to either draw or write on it.
Dory was there and couldn’t resist leaving her mark!
Shaq starts weaving the strips.
Here we go!
A helping hand from a friend. Michael Hanratty puts in a personal touch.
G Hotel Penang staff with Shaq Koyok showing off the completed weaved artwork!
EXHIBITION AT G GALLERY | Shaq Koyok “Culture Attack” Solo Art Exhibition
G Art Gallery. Level 1 (Link Bridge), G Hotel, Persiaran Gurney, Penang
Date: 9 November 2015 till 31 January 2016.
Admission is FREE
