KUALA LUMPUR – A material more often associated with roads and construction sites than galleries and collectors is now taking centre stage at Galeri Shah Alam.
The ongoing exhibition Tarscapes: Journeys of Expression features striking and unconventional artworks crafted using bitumen, an industrial substance better known for waterproofing roofs than inspiring art.
Running from April 14 to May 30, 2025, the group exhibition brings together 16 Malaysian and international artists with diverse creative backgrounds, from professional practitioners to those just beginning their artistic journey.
Hosted by Yayasan Seni Selangor in collaboration with Keluli Studio, the exhibition is part of the Visit Selangor 2025 initiative and is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
At the heart of Tarscapes is the idea that even the most modest materials can yield rich and rewarding results. That ethos is embodied by veteran artist Alias Yussof, who initiated the bitumen workshops that seeded the exhibition after years of working with the material in his own practice.
“It was a request by one of the artists, Prof. (Abdul) Hamid (Mohamad),” Alias, who runs Keluli Studio in Shah Alam, explained.
“He saw my posting on social media — I have been working aggressively with bitumen over the past five years — and he persuaded me to conduct a session for him and a group of friends. They had never worked with bitumen before, so they were quite excited to know its usage in art making.”
For Alias, bitumen is compelling precisely because of its humble origins. He said that the material has also been used in artworks for centuries.
“Bitumen is an industrial material made for roads and waterproofing, but in art, it has great potential. It’s versatile, it’s cheap — but some may not like it because of the smell. When mixed with turpentine, it has a pungent smell. It’s smelly and seems dirty, but the result is rewarding.”
While Alias noted that the material is “not highly toxic”, he stressed the importance of working in a well-ventilated space.
The unpredictability of bitumen, especially how it dries, poses challenges. “You can never fully be sure of the results. Sometimes when you come back to the artwork after it dries, it doesn’t come up with the shade you’re expecting.”
Still, the outcome can be not only aesthetically fulfilling but financially promising.
“While bitumen is a highly modest and unpretentious material to work with, some of the pieces produced can turn into something that is financially rewarding — some pieces can rake up to thousands of ringgit. It’s not easy to sell, and the appetite depends on the collectors who come and see the exhibitions. But if one’s work is good, they would be bought.”
Among those taking part in Tarscapes is Alessia Dona, an Italian artist who has lived in Kuala Lumpur for four years. Her work in Tarscapes reflects her deep connection to her adopted country.
“Living in Malaysia has deeply influenced my interpretation of the landscape,” she said.
“In fact, the ESOTICA collection is totally inspired by Malaysian nature — from tropical rainforests to life-rich coasts and seabeds. I wanted to express all my love for this wonderful country, which I feel as my home.”
Her pieces blend bitumen with acrylics and collage, resulting in textured canvases filled with marine life and tropical flora.
“The thick, viscous consistency of bitumen requires a different approach than traditional colours. I experimented with various application techniques to achieve the desired effects. The rich, dark tones offered a unique depth. I found working with bitumen really creative and unpredictable at the same time.”
Beyond ESOTICA, Alessia also produced a work titled KOSMO — a vivid, intuitive journey into an imagined galaxy.
“Unlike ESOTICA, where I attempted to capture the essence of nature, with KOSMO I embraced boundless imagination — translating into form and colour the desire to discover new and uncharted worlds.”
Alessia sees her work as a fusion between her Italian roots and her life in Southeast Asia.
“This synergy enriches my creations, giving rise to a dialogue between different realities that influence each other, transcending geographical and temporal boundaries. My main goal is to inspire, evoke dreams, and spread positive energy — bringing colour and joy into the lives of others.”
Also featured in Tarscapes is Eng-Seong Lim, a former advertising professional who approaches painting with a blend of precision and spontaneity. His experience in visual storytelling and branding has subtly informed his transition into fine art.
“Advertising disciplines have taught me the power of visual imagery and the process of problem-solving,” Eng-Seong shared.
“Except when it comes to my art, the ‘solutions’ I create are for my own briefs.”
Though his work in Tarscapes doesn’t focus on landscapes per se, his floral abstracts and nostalgic scenes still explore themes of place and memory. His guiding principle? “Create art that I would display in my own home.”
Bitumen was a welcome addition to his creative toolkit. “It was a revelation, as I am always looking for new ways to create spontaneous abstraction to juxtapose against my thought-out realism,” he said. “Bitumen’s reactivity with other fluids results in delightful random effects and textures that serve as a perfect backdrop for my realism — be it figurative art or other subject matter.”
Now fully embracing his return to art, Eng-Seong believes his advertising experience still plays a role in how he navigates the art world. “My experience in advertising puts me in good stead. It helps me appreciate that as an artist, I need to see myself as a branding entity that needs marketing via social media and other avenues.”
The 17 artists featured in Tarscapes come from a variety of artistic and professional backgrounds. Some are seasoned painters, educators or multidisciplinary practitioners, while others are experimenting with new materials for the first time.
The full list of participating artists includes: Abdul Hamid Mohamed, Abu Bakar Sabran, Alessia Dona, Alias Yussof, Ati Rosemary, Badrulzzaman Abu, Eng-Seong Lim, Khairi Fakhri, Lalitha Pillay, Liza Othman, Mimi Zaleha, Nanie Othman, Richard Leow, Sharmi Shahrani, Tze Lian, and Zaim Durulaman. – May 10, 2025