Taiping, Perak [November 2025]

I am susceptible to time and memories.

Today, for instance, I recalled that one time I took an almost 2-hour LRT ride and a 10-minute walk to an art gallery in PJ (?) all by myself to visit this one painting. It was a huge three-series sunflower landscape called 'Mysterious Piece of Land' by Fadzril Fakaruddin from his second solo exhibition, A Wondrous Journey.

I think it was almost four years ago. I visited a few other art galleries after that, but I always remember this one because I had the opportunity to meet the artist personally. At first, I was a bit shy. Believe it or not, I'd rather be left alone because I am so scared with the fact that I may present myself wrongly to other people. I'd rather keep my mind to myself at that time because the idea of sharing what I thought about a painting scares the shit out of me. 

Visiting an art gallery and wandering around looking at paintings makes my mind calmer. My heart's warmer. From painting, messages and emotions are expressed. However, the way people interpret them may differ. I love paintings that portray silent screams, loud screams, or even screams.

That aside, A Wondrous Journey's collection is so beautiful. Everything, everywhere—there are sunflowers. I remembered that Fadzril had mentioned that he intentionally included at least one palm-sized sunflower in each of his paintings for that series. Something that I most probably would not have noticed if the artist himself hadn't told me.

I love everything in the series. But my favourite is 'My Morning View' and 'My Night View'. There is something that tugged my heart and mind at that time over those two. I even had a picture taken with the artist in front of those two instead of the grand 'Mysterious Piece of Land' lol. Dia pesan suruh dm dekat Instagram so that he can post the exhibition's brochure to me (at that time those copies dah habis I think)—tapi aku tak dm sebab aku segan lol. And I kinda regret it walaupun dah bertahun.

Fadzril has participated in a few exhibitions for the past few years, CIMB Artober 2024 & 2025, for instance. But my schedule didn't allow me to squeeze in any visit. Plus, I am still trying to see Aimman Hafizal's pieces depan-depan, tapi asyik terlepas je. I mean, look at this? Comel gilaaaaaaaaaa.

My friend pernah cakap, visiting the gallery ni hobi mahal. Suka painting ni hobi mahal--something yang dorang tak expect from me. But I had always loved looking at paintings and illustrations. It is at one point—personal. Aku suka pergi sorang-sorang. Hobi ni cuma akan mahal if you start collecting the paintings, which I have not (yet) started hahaha. Visiting art galleries ni takde kos pun mostly. 

I am planning to start going to art galleries again. 

Hope to find the life I've lost :')