작품 상세

On top of the stylistic developments in his poetic oeuvre, Jolly has always maintained his own vision and interest in the aesthetic experience. Works from this period reflect the artist transitioning into a sophisticated realm, with defter composition placing emphasis on bold colours that reflect the interior landscape of the artist’s conception. As such the Nebula series has become one of his most important works in recent years. What an efflorescence of cosmic ecstasy with sonic orchestral bloom and boom. Jolly Koh’s Balloon Nebula strikes at a new manifestation of intergalactic combustion: a miasma of molten colours of various hues, light and dark, magical, and enticing. Its rich varieties of textures were created using an elaborate process of pouring and splashing paint across the surface, resulting in an overpowering mix and density of gaseous colour spectrum interacting in an infinite space. So grand and exhilarating! Artist, art academician and intellectual-theorist, Jolly Koh has transcended his GRUP Magnificent Seven persona of 1967 as an alchemist of colours. Born in Singapore, grew up in Malacca, studied in England and the United States, taught in Malaysia and Australia, he has had several solo exhibitions since his first in 1957 culminating in his major survey show Jolly Koh@76 (organised by Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers) at White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, in 2017, accompanied by a 350-page retrospective book. His academic credentials: National Diploma in Design at the Hornsey College of Art in London; Art Teacher’s certificate at the Institute of Education in London University; Doctor of Education and Master of Science at the Indiana University in the United States.