'Harmony Street Series: Queen Street in Penang' (Photo: Alex Leong)
Options: Array X marks your 10th solo exhibition. What inspired it, and how did you choose the pieces?
Alex Leong: For me, this is a time to look back on what I have created over the years. I have specially selected 10 of my favourite series for the show: Childhood Traditional Games, Traditional Trades, After School, Street Scene, Celebration, Collaboration Colours with Master, Roadside Hawkers Stall, Signs of Time, 100 Children and Harmony Street.
How have you evolved as an artist, and what does this latest milestone signify?
Looking back at my debut solo exhibition in 2012, a well-known gallery in Kuala Lumpur approached me and offered to help curate it. As an unknown artist at the time, I was naturally flattered, but I was also concerned about the tight timeline. They wanted to stage the show within two months. Fortunately, I had enough pieces on hand; so, I did not miss the opportunity.
Although there was little time to curate the selection, the event was quite successful. That experience taught me to allow more time to prepare for subsequent shows, and my 10th is no exception. Revisiting the various series I have presented over the years, I can see how my techniques have improved and creativity, evolved. I believe this reflection will help shape my artistic direction in the future.
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Your themes often revolve around heritage architecture, traditional trades and everyday life. Why do they remain important to you?
I was born in George Town and grew up on a beautiful island surrounded by heritage buildings. Over the years, I have watched the streets gradually change, old trades disappear, traditional celebrations fade and barriers between people grow. Even children seem to have less joy in their childhood. I feel both helpless and deeply moved by these changes. The only thing I can do is capture them in my paintings. They are, therefore, largely about nostalgia and sentiment, through which I hope people will rediscover the beauty that has been overlooked with the passage of time.
Walk us through your creative process.
It is mainly divided into outdoor sketching and indoor creation. I usually explore the streets and alleys early in the morning, looking for suitable scenes, particularly heritage buildings. Lighting, angles and where I position myself are all important considerations. Once I have a target, I set up my easel and begin sketching, trying to complete the architecture and background colours on site.
Back in the studio, I take on the role of a director, carefully arranging fictional characters — passers-by, children, hawkers and trishaw riders — to give the composition a stronger sense of life. If you observe closely, you will notice the figures are painted in considerable detail — they might resemble a neighbour or someone you have seen before. I firmly believe that, beyond historic landmarks, local people are also part of the beauty of a scenery.
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Do you feel differently about the island now compared with a few decades ago?
Although Penang has done a pretty good job of preserving its heritage, many old streets have taken on a new look, losing some of their former charm in favour of a trendier, more modern atmosphere — for example, an eyesore of a modern signboard appearing between two old shophouses, or traditional windows being replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass. These changes do not affect me much, though. In my eyes, such additions are almost transparent. I simply leave out anything unsightly and restore the original features on canvas.
I am the director of my paintings. Whatever I want to keep stays, and whatever I wish to remove disappears — even an entire building.
What childhood memories continue to influence your art?
My early recollections are still very vivid. My grandfather doted on my sister and me, buying us toys whenever he had a little money to spare. Back then, children from different households would gather and play freely along the five-foot ways. So, I grew up enjoying most of the traditional games.
The popularity of my Childhood Traditional Games series came as a surprise. I initially did it for my daughter — who was four at the time and loved video games — just to show her how we used to play. I found the subject quite interesting and eventually included it in a solo exhibition.
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After working with watercolour for so long, what still feels unpredictable about the medium?
In 2022, I began experimenting with watercolour on canvas, which gave me greater freedom of expression. I was no longer constrained by moisture, drying time, repeated revisions, overlapping layers, damage to the paper or even size. I believe there are still many unexpected breakthroughs to be made in these particular techniques.
Has your growing interest in nature become a larger part of your practice?
Yes, after the pandemic, A Hundred Patchwork Quilt for Nature has become a series I must paint every year. It is a reminder for ecological conservation.
What occupies your time these days? Do music, books, films or conversations feed your imagination?
Recently, I have taken to sketching with groups of fellow artists, including members of painting societies and urban sketching communities. It gives us a chance to exchange ideas and make new friends. The artistic journey is not as lonely as one might imagine. Different art forms can also broaden my creative thinking. Music changes my rhythm, a good film offers visual and narrative inspiration, while books and conversations open my mind to fresh perspectives.
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Is there a particular time of day when you feel most in your element?
It is not so much about when, but where. I especially feel particularly inspired in a café, although it has to be one with relatively few customers.
Looking ahead, what other creative territories would you like to venture into?
Actually, I have had an idea in mind for a long time. I would like to stage something entirely different, bold and imaginative, moving beyond conventional framed pieces. I am still figuring out the details and, of course, I would need a gallery willing to collaborate. So, stay tuned.
'Array X' runs from Oct 10 until 24 at The Art Gallery, Penang. For more information, visit theartgallerypg.com.
This article first appeared on Oct 5, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
