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Sacred and profane. Lee Joo For

Lee Joo-For is an important man in two areas of Malaysian art whether you like it or not — and there are those who don’t. No one disputes that he is a graphic artist of outstanding skill and creative ability. However, Joo-For’s attempt to establish an intellectual art colony has been less well received. When he returned from his British training he began a “dialectic warfare” — giving lectures, publishing manifestos, holding debates and seminars. He was (and still is) crusading with all his might for a deeper and more heady exchange in art-talk. As a result, by the latter half of the 1960’s Joo-For had been instrumental in provoking a more contemplative and articulate approach to art. He is tough and ambitious, and his country needs him.

Joo-For’s etchings are clearly conceived and expertly executed. His natural gift in graphic design, plus his rigorous discipline, have produced many splendid works. Figure of Contradiction is a fine example of his recent lino-cuts. It has commanding presence in a rather Japanese manner using austere colours (black and strong red) and simplified detail.

Although Joo-For is renowned for his graphics [BW 6] he refuses to be content in that medium and presses on to experiment in oils, watercolour, Chinese ink, and gouache. His most recent thoughts are concerned with developing away from Western influences and towards a new Malaysian-cum-Asian integrity. By utilising oriental manneristic signs and symbols, i.e. calligraphy and Buddhist-like figures, he has solved his problem with what he calls Oriental Byzantine [BW 5]. This series he has swept onto rice paper in gouache and ink offering compositions that are entertaining and charged with Chinese zest


Christian oriented:


*Playbook*

Scene 1:

Subversive play: magical realism,

 a young man : I used to be old before 

The water grows sweet and you become younger and younger 


Scene 2:

a young replacement for a just retired. The cog changes. New young brains at the top, the old ones extinguish compani with their dusty minds and creaking bones. Sweep them into a corner, let them rot in comfort 

Putting down 

Give a deep cut into the character building of new person, and posturing conflict with other characters, bombastically, very weird streak, newsworthiness.

Repetition line, a callback, and this time subversive reactions

Deep cut into second character and position to advance plot. And posturing 



Blessing has turned into a curse.



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