Journos' art exhibition raises over RM25k for hospice NGO

Summary:

• The "Off Stone" art exhibition, organised by former journalist Lim Siang Jin, raised over RM25,000 for the Penang Hospice Society, supporting its palliative care services for terminal patients at home.

• The exhibition showcased a variety of art forms - photography, pottery, textiles, and more - by current and former journalists, highlighting their creativity outside the constraints of their profession.

• Notable works included Opalyn Mok’s sketches of endangered species and SC Shekar’s photography of mangrove forests, both of which carried strong environmental and societal messages, urging action on issues like biodiversity conservation and the media's role in society.

An art exhibition with pieces by former and current journalists has raised over RM25,000 for the Penang Hospice Society.

Organised by Jin’s Art Gallery owner and curator Lim Siang Jin, the exhibition titled “Off Stone” took place from Oct 5 to Oct 27 in Kuala Lumpur.

On display was a variety of art forms such as photographs, sewn garments, crocheted purses, pottery, and multimedia pieces, a testament to the creativity of journalists who turned to side projects to let off steam from their main job.

“Someone told me that journalists are not doing much for society as individuals, as non-professionals.

“In the capacity of journalists, they’re doing something. But in the capacity of a private person, they should do something too,” Lim, a former journalist, told Malaysiakini.

The exhibition takes its name from the term “off stone”, which refers to the final edition of a newspaper that is ready to go to the printing press. In the early days of print, a slab of stone was used to align the text before printing.

Endangered animals and news industry

Among the pieces displayed was a pair of sketches by the Malay Mail’s Penang-based reporter Opalyn Mok.

The sketches, which depict a tiger and an elephant side-by-side, were drawn on newsprint paper - a deliberate effort to showcase the impermanence experienced by these endangered animals as this type of paper deteriorates over time.

According to Mok, this piece speaks on the declining numbers of endangered species and also the dwindling news industry.

She named it “Last Editions”, urging viewers to act swiftly to preserve the natural world and the integrity of information.

Lim was a colleague of this writer back when she reported for The Sun and they stayed in touch over the years.

She agreed to display her art in this exhibition as she thought it was a good idea. It shows that journalists can be multitalented, she believed.

“Art as a creative outlet is a way for me to de-stress.

“It’s also a way for me to learn new things, new techniques, and new ideas in the form of art instead of only in writing,” she told Malaysiakini.

Echoing the thought, Lim said journalists can be very creative people, but guidelines constrain their reporting.

While reporters may express themselves via creative writing, other forms of creativity also shine outside of the written medium, he added.

Life-giving mangroves

For photojournalist SC Shekar, he highlighted the beauty of mangrove forests which hold significant environmental importance.

His striking piece was a large black-and-white picture depicting a fog-laden mangrove forest in Langkawi.

He had spent many years documenting and photographing mangroves to spread awareness of their significance to Malaysians.

He said the British destroyed these areas during colonisation as they saw mangrove forests as a wasteland.

“They used to call it mangrove swamps, and that sort of gave it a negative connotation.

“It’s not a swamp - it’s a forest, full of life, full of fish.

“This is where fish spawn... It’s a nursery. And then these fish go out to the sea and become our food,” he said.

Personal touch in palliative care

Besides displaying journalists’ creativity, Lim hoped that organising this exhibition would also provide a platform for them to do social work.

He said he selected the Penang Hospice Society as a beneficiary due to a personal association with it and his admiration of the work it does.

The NGO provides palliative medical care to terminal patients at home, where they can remain comfortable.

This is done through a team of doctors, nurses, and lay people who help patients and their families through emotional and practical support, including loaning medical equipment.

“I think they’re doing something unique. They go to your home.

“Let’s say you are a terminal cancer patient and you don’t have a place to go to. They go to your home and help you.

“They teach your caregivers how to help you, and how to administer your medicine,” he said.

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