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Kinabalu Memories II
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Kinabalu Memories II
1996

Jolly Koh captures a sublime view of the Mount Kinabalu landscape through this colour saturated oil on canvas. Harmonious hues of greens are rendered through soft expressive strokes that blend seamlessly together across the canvas, revealing richness and depth in the lush flora of the scenery. The use of deep cobalt draws the eye to the majestic silhouette of the mountain range, looming in the horizon while  instilling an atmosphere of peaceful tranquillity.

Details
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimension:
122 x 91 cm
Date:
1996
Credit Line:
Collection of ILHAM Foundation
Copyright:
© Jolly Koh
About Jolly Koh

Jolly Koh (b.1941) was born in Singapore and raised in Melaka. An artist and art theorist with a special interest in the theory of “colour”, Koh is recognised for his lyrical works that masterfully explore colour and space. He studied painting at the Hornsey College of Art in London from 1960-1962 and later enrolled at the Institute of Education, University of London to undertake a year’s study in art education. Upon returning to Malaysia, he taught at a secondary school in Melaka before joining the newly established School of Art and Architecture at the MARA Institute of Technology (now UiTM) as a lecturer in Art. In 1971, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the University of Indiana, USA where he was awarded with a doctoral degree in art education in 1976. A respected educationist, he has taught in the USA, Australia and Malaysia. His work is in many public and corporate collections in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and the USA.

Learning Section
  • Gunung Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia. Do you recognise it from this painting? Does this painting look like it is painted from life, from a photograph or from a memory? What makes you think that?

  • Landscape paintings have always been popular with artists. They often show landscapes devoid of people. Does that still exist? Are there places in Malaysia where you can be totally alone in the landscape? How would that feel? What can we do to preserve those places? Are they worth preserving? Why?

  • Jolly Koh uses harmonious colours in this painting. That means he has used colours which are next to each other on the colour wheel. Their use is often thought to create a peaceful and restful effect. Do you agree? Make a copy of Koh's painting, but change the colours.