Michael Quah
Art Education
I discovered that my learning is through art; through direct experience; through reflection.
I paint; sculpt; draw; design; make ceramic-wares on the wheel; create digitalised images; photograph; write; read widely.
I discovered that my teaching is energised with the insight and skill of the practitioner.
My mentors were: Bro. Joseph MacNally; Lee Joo For; Yeoh Jin Leng; William Lau; Anthony Lau; Grace Sivanayagam and Tuan Syed Ahmad Jamal.
Teaching Service
The Ministry of Education (MOE) used my service as course facilitator in In-Service Teacher Training for KBSM Art as well as being a member of the curriculum design team in Art
Education; as Chief State Examiner in SRP Crafts and Team Leader for SPM/MCE Art.
Career Change
Since 1997 – 2017, I have practised my craft in Communication Design as Creative Director in Dreamagic Sdn. Bhd in Kuala Lumpur
From 2017, I paint full time in acrylics on canvas.
My paintings are Online in https://www.mq-art.com
I am attracted to the beautiful: in people, things, ideas. I reflect and discover dimensions of meaning and significance. From these insights I draw and paint.
I begin with a spontaneous mark; then move to explore, starting an idea-flow of feeling, thinking and crafting. Each completed work becomes another platform in my art formation. My painting then becomes another means of experiencing the richness of being alert and creating.
1966 Cheras Artists’ Art Exhibition
1967 Ex-Cheras Artists’ Art Exhibition
2008 INTO THE WILD, a Two-Person Art Show with Wan Oi Chun Sun Yat Sen Centre, Penang
2019 Penang Art Teachers’ Circle 55th Anniversary Show
2021 Penang Art Teachers’ Circle Online Exhibition
2022 Penang Art Society Art Exhibition MY MASTERPIECE
2022 Penang Art Teachers’ Circle 58th Anniversary Show
Education
1950 -1959 St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang
1961 -1962 St.Joseph’s Teachers’ Training College, Penang
1966 Art Education, Specialist Teacher’s Training College, Selangor
Professional Experience
1963 – 1994 Art Education Teacher, St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang
1974 – 1979 Part-time Lecturer in Art Education, St.Joseph’s Teachers’ Training College, Penang
1974 – 1994 Part-time Lecturer in COMMUNICATION DESIGN, Sian Art Academy, Penang
1987 – 1994 Part time Lecturer in COMPUTER GRAPHICS, Academy of Fine Arts,Penang
1995 – 1996 Creative Art Director, FINE IMPRESSION, Penang
1997 – 2017 Creative Art Director, DREAMAGIC SDN. BHD, Kuala Lumpur
Awards and Prizes
1966 Frank Sullivan Prize for Best Artist, Specialist Teacher’s Training College, Selangor
Nanyang Prize for Best Cover Design, Pendidikan Magazine, Specialist Teacher’s Training College, Selangor
1991 Invitee to Kanagawa Prefectural Government Exchange Program with Japanese Art Instructors in Yokohama, Japan
1992 Excellent Teacher Award, Penang State
1993 Excellent Teacher Award, Ministry of Education Malaysia
1994 La Sallian Teacher Award, De LaSalle Brothers
Involvement in Art Activities
1962/1963
Created Bas-relief Wall Sculpture COMMUNION OF SAINTS (22ft x 12ft) in terrazzo for St. John’s Institution Kuala Lumpur, commissioned by Bro. Joseph MacNally, Director of SJI, KL
1968 – 1970
Penang Youth Park Recreational Art Programme
Sculpture: Weekly Course for Youth
1974 – 1986
Backdrop and Stage Design for Xaverian Night, School Operas And plays
1980 – 1986
Created B/W Illustrations for English Series, Federal Publications, Kuala Lumpur
1984
Wrote and Illustrated BASIC IMAGINATIVE COMPOSITION, Published by Anthonian Publishing Sdn. Bhd. Kuala Lumpur
1985 – 1993
Designed covers, posters, banners, graphics, tee-shirts, greeting cards for St. Xavier’s, State Education Department and Clubs and Institutions
1986 – 1991
On invitations to Schools in Penang, provide Facilitator Services for Staff Enrichment Programme on Creative Thinking in Education and How to Engage Imagination in Learning
1989
Concepted and Illustrated TREASURE ISLAND MAP with Wan Oi Chun, A PAM Fund Project for the Betterment of Specific Designated Areas in Penang
Monographs
1993 -2014
CREATIVE BRUSH DRAWINGS
IDEAS FROM SCRIBBLES
THIS AND THAT, Design Basics for Dungoos BAITS FOR THE IMAGINATIVE
MORE BAITS FOR THE IMAGINATION
IDEAS FOR TURNING MOTIFS INTO PATTERNS
ANOTHER IDEA!
WHAT AN IDEA!
2015
IDEAS, Investigations and Experiments
2016
IDEA BUILDING: Origins | Process | Principles | Applications
Publications
1984
Wrote and Illustrated BASIC IMAGINATIVE COMPOSITION, Published by Anthonian Publishing Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur
2004 – 2008
SERIES 1 – 10 FULLY ILLUSTRATED BOOKS for Catechetical Faith Education, commissioned by Catholic Bishop Conference of Malaysia, Illustrations, Photography and Art
2011
ALONG THE EARTH ROAD Published by WCT BHD, Photography
2012
KLANG! In and Around the Royal Town, Published by Dreamagic Publications, Photography and Art
2013
THE RICE MERCHANT’S ADOPTED DAUGHTER, Published by Descendants of Quah-Lim Saw Choo, Photography and Art
2014
MADE OF STEEL Chew Kar Heng & Lysaght Malaysia, Published by the Estate of Chew Kar Heng, Photography and Art
2015
SIX GENERATIONS OF THE WAN LINEAGE, Published by the Descendants of Wan Lap Chek, Photography and Art
PRESENTING NATURE AT PLAY: A SOLO ART SHOW BY MR MICHAEL QUAH, 22 - 24 SEPTEMBER 2023
He was a teacher, mentor, colleague, and a friend to many who are blessed to have met and known him personally especially those under his tutelage in Saint Xavier’s Institution, Penang.
This is his homecoming exhibition.
From an art educationist to an artist, he never stopped learning and growing, evolving and transforming; trusting that every step, every touch, and every stroke of brush and colours will always inspire and motivate.
To live and to inspire life.
The exhibition will be launched and held at the SXI school hall from 22-24, September.