1968 Clay sculpture - "Seated Figure"

The days spent at Tanjong were formative years in my development as an artist.  In 1968 barely 5 years after Sarawak jointly formed Malaysia with Sabah, Malaya and Singapore, I was studying art in Form Five as an exam subject for my School Cambridge.  In that year I made a sculpture in clay called 'Seated Figure'.  My initial and the year the work was done are inscribed on the sculpture.  My days spent at Tanjong Lobang School (and later named Tanjong Lobang College) were 1967-68 (Form Four - Form Five)  and 1969-70 (Lower Six -Upper Six).  Those were days of creative freedom that instilled in me a deep and lasting passion for the arts, fine arts and performing arts.  These were fully encouraged by the school principal by the name of Robert Nicholl.  The conducive environment provided by the school and the expert guidance of our art teacher Mr. Voong Kiat Fui made us enjoy art in ways that have far lasting impact after we left the school, and continues to this day.  I still keep this clay model and is a prized collection for me.  I have written quite extensively about Mr. Voong .  .

On reflection I really  feel fortunate to have studied at Tanjong Lobang School  and especially the art instruction I received there.  In many ways it has given me a rounded education that encouraged creativity and passion for the arts - fine arts and performing as well.

Me in 1968, Tanjong Lobang School, Miri - next to the 'Seated Figure'.

(Note: This story is a re-post from another blog- my Sarawak (3rd Ed.)  Please follow this link to access the full write-up....>>>http://mysarawak2.blogspot.com/2014/09/once-there-was-scultpure.html )