Within the strenuous hum of a rapid-paced city life, Moments 2.0 – Big Cities, Small Stories, also known as BCSS, captured the simplicity and depth of ordinary experiences through the lenses of five talented artists, translating them onto paper and canvas at Zhan Art | Space. The introductory art exhibition, Moments – Discover Wanderlust, took place in 2022 and was organised by founding members Brian Tai, Francis Lee and Lee Wee Xian. This subsequent exhibition, BCSS, welcomed two new additional artists, Eve Yap and Shireen Lee. While the previous exhibition aimed to inspire the public to appreciate the beauty of cities through travel after the end of Malaysia’s Movement Control Order, BCSS was themed to highlight the beautiful moments of mundane life in big cities with real people and real stories.
The exhibition featured a total of 38 artworks, with each artist showcasing five watercolour paintings that celebrated the life and emotions of everyday people. The intention was to evoke empathy, introspection and contemplation among viewers, with varied subject matters ranging from skyscrapers and cultural icons to ordinary men, women and children on the streets. In this art affair, each artist brought their own idiosyncratic style to the forefront. Brian Tai conveyed a profound emotional intensity in his watercolours, employing bold strokes and creating contrasts of light and shadow. Eve Yap depicted common individuals involved in their everyday routines with a realistic approach, utilising fresh and lively colours that shrewdly brought her subjects to life. Despite Francis Lee’s usual recognition for watercolour landscapes, he redirected his attention to people this time around, using muted colours and manipulated light against dark backgrounds to communicate complexion and demeanour. Completing this lineup is Shireen Lee, who illustrated the transformations occurring in a city. Her paintings juxtaposed old shophouses and towering skyscrapers, encouraging viewers to reflect on the impacts of rapid urban development.
Founder and curator of Zhan Art | Space Desmond Tong described BCSS an exhibition that could be experienced as a nostalgic crossing with a modern touch. “The artworks were tremendously gratifying and heartwarming, transporting viewers to diminutive yet palpably familiar moments—such as a street vendor preparing your daily coffee-to-go or your beloved grandma gathering her family for a feast,” Tong says. “Each piece had a story to tell, and the artists projected them effectively. I’m happy with the way this exhibition turned out.”
Zhan Art | Space is located at 100-G.025, Block J, The School, Jaya One, No. 72A, Jalan Universiti 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The space opens from Tuesday to Sunday, welcoming visitors between 10am and 5pm.
