Calvin Chua’s Malaysia is carefree, colourful and connected

Calvin Chua, a Malaysian artist, believes Merdeka is more than just flags and parades. Instead, it is a celebration of Malaysia's unique qualities - its people, cultures, landscapes and the simple ways Malaysians connect. For his latest solo exhibition, "Forestborn," Chua focused on rainforest landscapes, indigenous communities and, especially, children.

The 65-year-old, a fine-art graduate from Kuala Lumpur College of Art, has been painting the "children of the rainforest" for about five years. Chua, who grew up in a small town in Alor Setar, Kedah, spent his childhood playing in rivers with friends. He says that children are "innocent and most easily blend with the natural environment," and in his art, he considers them part of nature.

Chua travelled to indigenous communities in Perak to observe their way of life and paint on the spot. His works have been exhibited in various countries, including Belgium, China, Brazil, Sweden, Greece, India and Hong Kong. In "Forestborn," he uses vibrant colours and energetic brushstrokes to show the joy of children, such as Iban children enjoying ice cream and two sisters playing by a river in West Malaysia.

Chua hopes his paintings showcase the harmony and beauty of Malaysia beyond the rainforest, reflecting the country's uniqueness that sometimes gets overlooked.