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David CheahParadise Garden, 2023/24
Resembling the layout plan of a landscaped garden, this eclectic composition of influences references the Persian concept of the paradise garden as a reflection of heaven on earth. Designs inspired by Lao temple stencils and moorish/arabesque interlacing are interwoven and layered with batik motifs called 'tanahan' (meaning 'earth') in the artist's journey of exploration and layering of intercultural connections.
The leaf or petal form created by overlapping circles; much like me, a product or subset of combined cultures. These forms bear patterns shared by many traditions including some found in batik sarongs worn by my ancestors. In batik terms referred to as ‘Sekar Jagad’ or 'Flowers of the Universe',
Hand stencilled Australian fabric acrylics on hand woven Homng hemp from Laos Approx. 209 x 35cm.
Resembling the layout plan of a landscaped garden, this eclectic composition of influences references the Persian concept of the paradise garden as a reflection of heaven on earth. Designs inspired by Lao temple stencils and moorish/arabesque interlacing are interwoven and layered with batik motifs called 'tanahan' (meaning 'earth') in the artist's journey of exploration and layering of intercultural connections.
The leaf or petal form created by overlapping circles; much like me, a product or subset of combined cultures. These forms bear patterns shared by many traditions including some found in batik sarongs worn by my ancestors. In batik terms referred to as ‘Sekar Jagad’ or 'Flowers of the Universe',
Hand stencilled Australian fabric acrylics on hand woven Homng hemp from Laos Approx. 209 x 35cm.
David CheahChampaca, 2022 The Magnolia champaca flower can be found in Laos, Malaysia and Australia. It is referred to as one of the trees used to achieve enlightenment. According to Tibetan beliefs, the Buddha of the next era will find enlightenment under the white flower canopy of the champaca tree.
In this composition, inspiration drawn from various cultures have been interwoven to reference a tree of life structure. The roots and base draw inspiration from my ancestral connections where elements from a screen in my ancestral clan house in Penang, Malaysia are intertwined with Guyanese basketry weaving patterns. 'Maybe you are searching among the branches, for what only appears in the roots.' - Rumi
Fabric acrylic, pencil and varnish on hand woven Lao cotton. Approx. 77 x 50cm
In this composition, inspiration drawn from various cultures have been interwoven to reference a tree of life structure. The roots and base draw inspiration from my ancestral connections where elements from a screen in my ancestral clan house in Penang, Malaysia are intertwined with Guyanese basketry weaving patterns. 'Maybe you are searching among the branches, for what only appears in the roots.' - Rumi
Fabric acrylic, pencil and varnish on hand woven Lao cotton. Approx. 77 x 50cm
David CheahFlame, 2023 Ornamental stencil designs found in Luang Prabang temples occasionally frame a symbolic flame. Here, the emergent bud of the Agapanthus flower, which is the harbinger of summer in Sydney, references this inner flame. “A bud is a flower to be. A flower in waiting. Waiting for the right warmth to open up.” – Christopher Paul Curtis
Fabric acrylic, pencil and varnish on hand woven Lao cotton. Approx. 72 x 50.5cm.
Fabric acrylic, pencil and varnish on hand woven Lao cotton. Approx. 72 x 50.5cm.
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