With the rabbit as inspiration and feng shui as a guide, local emerging artist Munkao’s solo exhibition is intriguing, writes Zuhaila Sedek. What better way to usher in the Year Of The Rabbit by combining feng shui and contemporary art for the ultimate art experience.

From Feb 17 to March 3, Wei Ling Gallery in Jalan Scott, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, will hold an art exhibition titled Feng Shui: A Solo Exhibition By Munkao.

The 29-year-old Munkao has employed Chinese symbolism such as numbers, animals and landscapes to develop a series of unique artworks called Painstallations, Prosperity Sculptures and Auspicious Neo-landscapes.

Painstallations is a combination of painting and installation. “These paintings have the characteristics of an installation but act effectively like a painting. They ‘travel’ without the need to move,” says Munkao, whose works have been featured in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Prosperity Sculptures means functional sculptures inspired by geomancy. “Their general function is to bring prosperity,” explains Munkao.

Auspicious Neo-landscapes portrays the overlapping of oriental landscape paintings and current issues surrounding geography such as real estate.
Among the animals in the artworks are horses and toads.

Asked whether rabbits will take centrestage in the exhibition, Munkao says the furry creature is used only as inspiration.
Feng shui master Chang Kim Hua will help curate the exhibition, advising on the best location to place the respective artworks according to feng shui.

“The artworks are considered feng shui items for homes and offices and they continue beyond the confines of the gallery when they enter the home of the collector, with the help of the feng shui master,” says Wei Ling Gallery director Lim Wei Ling.

“I have always found Munkao’s works quirky and interesting, so when he came up with the idea of doing an alternative feng shui show by bringing it into a contemporary art arena with a tongue-in-cheek approach, I thought it would be interesting to work with him.”

It’s a given Chang will reverse-conceptualise Munkao’s works based on feng shui theories, overriding the artist’s original intent.

Art collectors are expected to use the paintings to enhance their work or living environment through feng shui.