Light Bearer

Wei-Ling Gallery is pleased to announce our next exhibition, ‘Light Bearer’ by Malaysian artist Yau Bee Ling. In her sixth solo show with the Gallery, ‘Light Bearer’ features deeply existential works expressed from a myriad of personal experiences; the incarnation of physical/mental strength and resilience seen exclusively from the female perspective.

‘Light Bearer’ is the artist’s desire to understand and accept her place in the world, of unwavering spiritual beliefs, confronting an extreme phobia, relationships with every one around her and that inherent instinct to thrive despite and in spite of obstacles.

Bee Ling elucidates, “My previous landscapes were ‘impressions’, but now they have grown to be more deliberate visions. These visual elements such as lines, shapes, colours and textures have been reformed to express light-bearing elements. This newfound goal is meant to give viewers a deeper understanding of our nature. The nuances between light and shadow across the surfaces are manifestations of ‘intentions’ and my own visualisation of life’s passages – it is a calling, to overcome adversities, take a courageous stance, and my belief in a higher power.”

The water element plays a pivotal role in several of her canvases. After a traumatic near drowning experience as a child, the artist attempts to face this particular fear, and demonstrates that a terrifying experience can be turned into something deliriously cathartic.

It perhaps, can be further expounded by a Yoruba praise poem (oriki) in honour of Oshun: –

She is the wisdom of the forest

She is the wisdom of the river

Where the doctor failed

She cures with fresh water.

Where medicine is impotent

She cures with cool water.

The artist re-composes and re-imagines her connection to the cosmos via disintegrating mountainous landscapes, an ambiguous willow tree, refracted water-marked lines, withering branches and billowy flower petals – a desire to confront life’s obstacles derived from the strength given by her Maker.          

‘Light Bearer’ is Yau Bee Ling’s dialogue with the world, her methods to probe and excavate the crevices of who we are, what we are and why we are here. It is her way of communicating through asking questions which beguile, and addressing conflicts with the past, present and future.

‘Light Bearer’ is featured at Wei-Ling Gallery from 2nd – 26th November 2022.

Wei-Ling Gallery is located at No 8, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Admission hours are Tuesday – Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm.

Exhibition is open by appointment only. For appointments and further assistance, please contact +60322601106 or e-mail siewboon@weiling-gallery.com