Landscaping Times in Bintulu ( Part I )

My Natural Attachment

In my mature years period, I took on an exceedingly huge interest in landscaping.

I was involved in a number of 'grand' landscaping projects for the 'booming town' of Kidurong ( acting as satellite town) and the existing Bintulu town that has outgrown its former boundaries and metamorphosing into a modern township in Sarawak. Those formative years in landscaping started in early 1980's right till the late 1990's.



I will attempt to blog on my experiences during those landscaping times throughout this year. However, suffice to start here in terms of paintings, my deep interest in nature and my natural inclination to gardening. Way back in 1974, I painted a scenery of the Tanjong Batu beach when I visited it as a young man. To the folks in Bintulu , it was the only beach closest to town to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of seasides, stretches of beaches and unpolluted natural elements like water, clouds, winds and breezes of the 70's. Strangely enough there was no building or park furniture on the beach then.



Tanjong Batu Beach , water colour, 50x40cm ( approx.) circa 1974

Kuching Reservoir Park, mixed media, imperial size, 1982

Later, when I was transferred to Kuching, I painted the Kuching Reservoir park. What attracted me was the interplay of light and colours as they engulf the park. Earlier in 1974 while I was in Kuala Lumpur, I took great comfort in remembering the naturalness of Bintulu or even any other countryside villages and small towns in Sarawak. To this end I penned a poem called 'Country Peace'. It reads:

Country Peace

The rustling leaves,

brings that wondrous feeling

that town people miss

called country peace.

There is low silence

deep in its shallowness

forever going,

forever reaching.

I lie in the open air

letting the breeze blow

my ruffled hair

my face too.

Rubbing it softly

but gently through.

Natural quietness

is a comforting cushion

that balms the mind

from earthly confusion.

I love nature

and its rustling leaves

the quietness of mind

whatever good nature gives.

I thank nature, for it leaves

my thoughtful mind

well at peace

rich at ease.

Doors of Life, mixed media, imperial size, 8.8.81

Again in 1981, I did a mixed media painting based on a poem of mine called ' The Doors of Life'. The message of the poem was that when we let nature gets into our lives, it will open the door of existence for us, bringing in the 'light' to fire our lives. But alas, all this is possible only if we open our mind and heart, that is to be 'positive in our thinking'. In short saying 'Yes' to Life.

Therefore with much emotional attachment, love of nature and a positive attitude, I began to take up the responsibility of creating Bintulu into a Garden City. That started in the early 80's.

Doors of Life

The doors of life are always open

But it is to open our mind and heart

To be self-conscious of Life and Existence

that remains a task.

1.10.74

Reference: Pameran Lukisan dan Puisi MOOD ( 1981 )