Star : A private slice of history
Yap Yok Foo
6 April 2003
A private slice of history
He is revered as Bapa Malaysia, a household face and name. But how
many of us know the private side of him? LEE SIEW PENG finds out more
about an exhibition that re-acquaints Malaysians with Tunku Abdul
Rahman.
Lim: 'The onus is on us - today's people - to ensure that the younger
generation does not forget who our leaders are.'
IT was a warm day in June last year at the Saloma Bistro, Kuala
Lumpur, and the crowds were milling around the photos on display.
A 12-year-old boy gazed at one of the portraits, then gave his father
an inquiring look.
“Siapa tu, bapak?” (Who’s that, father?)
“Itu Bapa Malaysia, nak,” (This is the Father of Malaysia, son) was
his father’s gentle reply.
Robert Lim overheard this little conversation, and didn’t know whether
to be moved or shocked. An exhibition on Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra
Al-Haj – engineer of Malaysian independence and our first prime
minister – and this child had only just learnt who the great man was?
As director of Canvas Art, the company that had organised the
exhibition, Lim decided to do something about it. “I was alarmed that
not enough attention was given to educating the younger generation
about our leaders,” justified the jovial 48-year-old. “But I bet you
that young boy probably knew who Abraham Lincoln was.”
In contrast, the older folks, Lim says, were more appreciative.
“They’d tell us: ‘This is a fantastic idea, why didn’t anyone do it
before?’ A few of them even took photos (of the exhibition),” Lim
smiles at the warm memory. “They appreciated that we had done this for
‘the Grand Old Man’, and there were actually people who came up to
thank us personally. It was very positive feedback.”
Varied though the responses were, they were more than enough reason to
stir Lim to action – which is why, after a year of collecting over
photos, the new, expanded Tribute to Tunku exhibition will go on show
at selected shopping malls in the Klang Valley. Consisting of 100
digitally restored, enlarged and framed historical photos of the
Tunku, the exhibition pays homage to Bapa Malaysia and his legacy.
(Last year’s exhibition was held in conjunction with Canvas Art’s
second anniversary.) This year’s exhibition is all the more meaningful
because it celebrates the centenary of the Tunku’s birth, which
explains the number of photos on display.
It was a project that was obviously destined for success from the
start. According to Lim, Datuk Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, the Minister
of Culture, Arts and Tourism, who officiated last year’s ceremonies,
was very taken with the concept of such an exhibition, and personally
initiated the idea of a second roadshow, to the extent of writing to
four shopping malls himself requesting for assistance.
Likewise, the proposal was also well-received by Tunku Datin Paduka
Khadijah, the Tunku’s daughter. “She made this exhibition possible by
giving us her approval, old photos and blessing,” Lim enthuses.
Because of all this support, he says, “it was just a matter of putting
things together”.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Canvas Art – already in the possession of the original 30
reproductions which formed the basis of the first exhibition – was
well-positioned to organise a second such event. The studio
specialises in what Lim calls “the magic of restoration”, where old
photos are given a new lease of life. Sometimes, new facets are
literally brought to light, thanks to motion graphics technology.
“We’re probably the only art studio in Malaysia to use it.”
These services, and at the studio, proved unexpected take-off points
for the exhibition. Although the obvious sources of photos of the
Tunku were his family, and archives (such as The Star and museums),
many turned up in the most unexpected – but pleasant – ways.
“Some of our clients would just walk into the shop and notice the
photos of the Tunku,” Lim explains. “Then they’d tell us that they had
known him, or were with him before.” One thing led to another, and
upon discovering that another roadshow was in the works, the clients
were more than willing to volunteer their personal photographs of the
Tunku. Lim remembers one Tan Sri, who, upon being informed,
immediately offered, “Why don’t you use this?”
A hip-swivelling 'Bapa Malaysia'? You wouldn't have guessed that he
was so nimble. This and other photos showing the Tunku in his lighter
moments will be on display soon in an exhibition.
“We have been very blessed in the course of organising this upcoming
exhibition,” Lim reflects. “A number of people who came to our studio
became our friends. What better way to bond a friendship than with a
common story and interest – we had the interest and they had the
stories. We were given the benefit of hearing first-hand accounts of
time spent with the Tunku; these are stories that need to be
documented.”
Like their owners, the 100 photos, mostly in black-and-white and
sepia, tell their own stories. Lovingly restored by Canvas Art’s
in-house designers and digital artists, and specially selected by Lim
to chart a pictorial journey, they cover various aspects of the
Tunku’s life, beginning with a casual childhood shot of him in a
scout’s uniform, to formal occasions with dignitaries. The photos also
capture light-hearted scenes in sports and games (visitors simply must
see the photos of the Tunku warming up for a dive, and twirling a hula
hoop!), unguarded moments with his family, and meeting the rakyat as
“the people’s PM”.
One reproduction that immediately catches the eye is a photo of the
Tunku in a pensive mood in the garden of his house. (It also happens
to be the favourite of Mann Linn, Lim’s wife and co-director of Canvas
Art.) The enlargement is all the more striking because its original
black-and-white has been retouched and colourised, and the portrait
now looks all the more alive for it.
Look out too for photos of the Tunku at the 1959 Asian Film Festival,
held in Kuala Lumpur. “Tunku loved the movie industry, and this
collage shows him with the famous movie stars of the time,” Lim points
out. He laughs: “All these ‘uncles’ who came to last year’s exhibition
crowded around this collage. They pointed out different actresses to
their wives – ‘I nearly married her, you know!’”
But more historically significant is the collage featuring the Tunku’s
role in the fight for independence. A section of it is dedicated to
the proclamation of independence, something Lim believes many
Malaysians have not seen, let alone read.
Adding to the uniqueness of the exhibition, Lim stresses, is the fact
that it consists not official, but private and personal photos.
“What’s more, we are not displaying the photos as they are, but
restored, enlarged reproductions on canvas.” The clear, luminous
quality of the images attest to this.
Of the 100, Lim’s favourite photo is the one of Tunku next to a bust
of himself. “The picture composition is excellent, and very artistic,”
is the reason. “Besides, it’s a very private photo – how many pictures
can you get of a PM next to his bust?”
Educating future generations
Although all costs and expenses were borne by Canvas Art, Lim coyly
avoids quoting a price, only saying that the historical value of the
exhibition was “priceless”.
“It’s our contribution as citizens of Malaysia,” he says thoughtfully.
“The onus is on us – today’s people – to ensure that the younger
generation does not forget who our leaders are. I hope this roadshow
will be starting point, not only for the Tunku, but for all our
leaders.” Lim also suggests celebrating Prime Ministers’ Day – “the US
remembers its leaders on Presidents’ Day” – for the same purpose.
Co-director Mann Linn, 37, enjoins: “In this short time here, we do as
much as we can while we can for the Tunku, because of his contribution
to the country. It’s our ‘payback time’. Because we have Canvas Art,
we have the means to do it, so we’ll do it. It’s not a chore for us,
but a pleasure. It’s something we are passionate about and we are
honoured to be able to do it. Many people might want to do something
like this, but they may not have the resources to be able to do so.”
Which is just another reason why the public should visit the
exhibition; not only are the photos a part of our collective history,
they serve an educative purpose, particularly for young children. It
would be the public’s privilege to see such exclusive photos too, as
the exhibition will not be put on permanent display.
Lim concludes with these sage words. “I visualise this exhibition as a
collection of smiles. I see the older people walking through the
exhibition with smiles on their faces, because they can relate to
these old photos of the Tunku, and in turn relate them to themselves,
you know, and be reminded of ‘the good old days’.
“The objective of the exhibition is to heighten awareness of the
Tunku’s legacy – our independence – but the essence of it is smiles.
I’m sure many memories will be evoked at this exhibition, so bring the
kids along!”
Yes, bring the kids along. Perhaps, with this sort of exposure and
education, many little boys and girls will leave the exhibition with a
smile too.
The “Tribute to Tunku” exhibition will be held at Bangsar Shopping
Centre (main concourse) on April 12-21, and Suria KLCC (4th Floor, in
front of Kinokuniya) on April 23-27, from 10am-10pm. Admission is
free. For more information, call Canvas Art at (03) 7727 0116.