By NABILA AZLAN

Chang Yoong Chia is among the Malaysian artists taking part in IOTA24, themed Codes in Parallel. A visual artist whose work spans over two decades, Chang is not alone in Western Australia – his wife, artist and creative collaborator Teoh Ming Wah is with him throughout this amazing journey. BASKL is glad to have this conversation with them, learning about their methodology, as well as have an early glimpse at Chang’s exhibited artworks.

Titled Allegorical Threads: Stories of Journeys from Malaysia to Australia, his featured pieces mainly revolve around batik making and are contemplative and carefully crafted, exactly what we would expect from the artist.

“My batik artworks are my personal process of questioning the Malaysian identity. Far from being merely decorative, I hope the images and motifs of batik could be used as narratives to understand the history of this country, offering a glimpses into the hope and joys, trials and tribulations of its people living in this multicultural society,” writes Chang in his artist’s statement. “I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to reflect on this question from the ‘outside’. There are many Malaysians who have migrated to Western Australia. Unfettered from one’s original national boundaries, what becomes of one’s personal and cultural identity? I want to understand their stories, how they set down roots, preserve traditions and create new ones.”

When asked about Wireless Hill Museum at the Yagan Mia Wireless Hill, the art museum where Chang’s work is exhibited, the artist says, “Formerly a radio base, the museum was an important centre for early communications.” He expresses his excitement earlier in July upon having to transport his crafts to the venue for the world to see, adding, “It feels a bit daunting now realizing how much time we have to complete everything and fit them into the space!”

Batik and being Malaysian

Allegorical Threads: Stories of Journeys from Malaysia to Australia is a cross-narrative comprising 11 pieces of artworks. Starring contemporary batik sarongs and paintings, Chang tells us the story when he first delved into batik drawing. “In 2017, I was a part of the S-Air Residency Program: Second Air in Hokkaido, Japan. It was snowing heavily then; I remember the snow bed being more than a metre tall. In the winter cold I was thinking about a way to bring Malaysia’s tropical heat to where I was and immediately, my mind went to batik making, which literally requires (wax) heat. Japanese artists also incorporate the use of wax in their own textile crafts, so I consider this a [unique] cultural exchange.”

“I realized afterwards that I don’t know that much about Malaysian batik after all,” admits Chang. “[For that] I headed to Kelantan for yet another residency to learn from a traditional batik master. During this time, I managed to go through some of the techniques, on top of learning what Malaysian batik truly is.”

Chang and Teoh now mainly create from their current home in Tangkak, Johor. “Moving here after the [COVID-19] pandemic, [we see how] this place is surrounded by plantations, especially palm oil and rubber,” tells the former, telling us about how the period’s restrictions have thrusted him into observing his surroundings, later turning them into creative fuel. “We discovered a large historical connection to the plantation industry. [If you noticed] Malaysian batik normally incorporates floral motifs but rarely can we see batik inspired by the plantations. We hardly talk about the subject, so that’s how I came about into producing a series based on our local plantations.” This brought to life his series A Leaf Through History (2018 – 2022) and A Leaf Through History: Family Tree (2022).

The Malaysian identity wholly becomes a subject he strives to channel, and batik making and painting instantly becomes one of his go-to methods of doing so. With IOTA24, in sync with its theme Codes in Parallel, Chang gathers from conversations, collections of photographs and close observations regarding Malaysians living in Australia. “Perth, where IOTA is based, is also the place of choice for many Malaysian migrants. During [Teoh] Ming Wah and I’s research two weeks in (May 2024), we focused on studying the lives of the locals who have made Perth their home,” Chang notes. To this, Teoh adds, “We managed to get in contact with them, some through friends, the others through community Facebook groups.” At a glance, Allegorical Threads: Stories of Journeys from Malaysia to Australia is a trove filled with hopefulness, homesickness and unity, but it is also many other things.

Basking in stories

Below are some of Chang’s artworks exhibited in Australia:

“[To make conversations flow better] We don’t take notes when we are with our sharing parties in Australia,” Chang explains. Teoh nods, adding, “We have these informal chats with them in cafés, through park barbecues, we even followed them to get a glimpse of their lives, for instance through their Asian market shopping.” Only after the couple has reached their temporary residence will they jot everything down, recalling what they have learned throughout their sessions.

“It’s great that there are two of us,” Teoh says through a smile. “I would remember some details, then he would be able to remember the others. Afterwards we would discuss our findings.”

“As an artist, sometimes I would only pay attention to certain visions, but she pulls me back [to look at the bigger picture],” Chang notes. These are later translated into rough sketches or writings in preparation of the artist’s work. Trained in Social Psychology, Teoh who has a background in journalism complements Chang’s creative pursuits in her own way. The cross-disciplinary writer and creator who is familiar with traditional and modern performing arts, has curated a list of Chang’s work. In his work for IOTA24, she not only documents the process, but also catalyzes interactions and discourse, putting together personal etchings from cross-generational representatives with respective historical and topological contexts.

Although Chang builds from his lend perspectives, Allegorical Threads: Stories of Journeys from Malaysia to Australia is a buildable, de-constructible series. “Motifs are a form of language with hidden meanings. We are merely asking, how can Malaysian batik be deconstructed and rearranged to form novel patterns,” says the artist.

Chang Yoong Chia’s series for IOTA24 (in collaboration with Teoh Ming Wah and inspired by the Malaysian communities in Western Australia) are on display at the Wireless Hill Museum, Yagan Mia Wireless Hill from July 26 to until August 25, 2024. Check out his Instagram and IOTA artist profile to know more. Alternatively, visit the IOTA website for the full list of exhibiting artists.

In 2023, MyCreative Ventures through CENDANA supported the pre-production costs for four Malaysian artists to conduct research for new artworks to be showcased at IOTA24. This collaboration with the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial Inc. (IOTA) in Perth, Australia was part of the Partnership Initiatives programme.

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