IPOH: This year has been a trying one for most, but it has been especially tough for the country’s healthcare system. Ipoh-based, self-taught artist Karwai Chan noticed this and instantly felt that she had to do something.
Paintbrush in hand and frontliners in her heart, she immediately got to painting.
For weeks she didn’t stop. Not until she had a collection that mirrored the resilience and commitment of the frontliners.
Through her efforts and collaboration with Love Malaysia Organisation, the campaign ‘I Support Frontliners Thru Art’ was initiated.
The campaign hopes to raise RM5 million in funds through her paintings that are each valued at around RM1 million. All profits are then dedicated to the local heroes who are risking their lives to fight this pandemic.
But what started out as a selfless deed has evolved into what the artist now calls the biggest breakthrough in her career.
Karwai’s art flooded the media and even garnered the attention of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin himself, who has publicly expressed his support towards the campaign.
“This has been the best year of my life. I feel blessed because I went into this never expecting anything in return, and from the bottom of my heart, purely wanted to aid in pandemic efforts,” said Karwai.
Since then, media coverage has not only opened new doors but also old ones – even the artist’s older paintings started receiving attention.
The artist’s hyper-realistic oil paintings have turned not only the heads of car enthusiasts but also forefront companies of the racing world like Formula 1, McLaren and Aston Martin.
Karwai has since worked with and been commissioned by all these companies.
Each piece takes about a month to complete and with every paint stroke, Karwai fuels it with heartfelt intent and purpose.
“When painting, I strive to encapsulate the raw essence of my subject as I wish to translate their spirit onto my canvas,” said Karwai.
“I do this by getting inspiration through reading about each racer’s life. I’m deeply touched by their strength and admire their focus. Personally, I strongly resonate with their endurance and fighting spirit as it reminds me of my own journey.”
The artist then revealed that she had been a victim of a traumatic bullying experience in school, and faced deep emotional loss after the sudden passing of her father at the age of 14.
It was through art that Karwai found comfort and it has been her safe haven ever since.
“It left me devastated and my lonely reality seemed inescapable but luckily, I lost myself in the world of colours and painted my sorrows away,” she confessed.
Citing Van Gogh as a major inspiration for her art, Karwai is entirely self-taught and not a single cent was spent on art school.
With money saved from skipping school lunches to purchase art supplies and YouTube being her soul resource of learning, she was shocked when she made her first sale at RM500 when she was just 14.
It inspired her to take a leap of faith and pursue a full-time career in art after graduating from secondary school.
At the beginning of her career, Karwai had doubts about her abilities, especially since she was self-taught.
“I felt like my art was less worthy and valuable than the work of those who actually attended art school,” she admitted.
As self doubt weighed on her, support was scarce as friends and family had little faith in her journey and were not supportive of her career choice in the beginning. So, the only person Karwai could truly rely on was herself.
But then things changed two years ago when her artwork was auctioned for S$3800 (approximately RM 11,565) in an auction in Singapore.
Stunned, Karwai never would have thought that her art would be valued at such a high price – especially since she had originally priced it at a mere RM1,000.
Now, Karwai feels sure of herself when she paints and still describes her painting sessions as therapeutic.
“It’s almost like the canvas speaks to me. I find comfort in being able to express myself on a canvas, and I would love to continue to create pieces of art that evoke emotions out of others,” she said.
Through her perseverance and talent, the canvas whisperer has not only uplifted herself but now uplifts others as she channels her passion towards causes larger than herself.
She plans to delve further into the world of installation art and is eager to engage with her online audience through important topics like sustainability.
Being a part of a new era where social media has taken over the world, online engagement plays an important role in her artwork and career. Karwai encourages artists to post their work online and to make the world their oyster.
“Do what you want when you are young. The opinions of others weigh far less than you think, so keep focused and stay aligned with your own journey. Just do what the heart seeks and make sure you love the work you do before this lifetime ends.”
Support and discover more of Karwai’s artworks on her Instagram and her website, or donate to the’ I Support Frontliners Thru Art’ campaign through Pertubuhan Cintai Malaysia (PCM)’s Maybank account at 5627 5969 0033.