A first for a Malaysian artist

KUALA LUMPUR: London-born Malaysian artist Nur Hannah Wan Ahmad Hulaimi made the country proud by becoming the first Malaysian artist to have her painting featured at the Royal Institute of Painters "Water Colours 206th Exhibition" at the Mall Galleries in London.
Nur Hannah said she was very excited that her painting was selected for the exhibition, which will be held from April 6 to 20, after several rejections a few years ago.
The 30-year-old artist also expressed hope that her painting, which is of her brother, would help her work gain recognition within the industry.
"This exhibition is a platform for me to take this painting further to other countries, including Malaysia. It also gives me confidence to keep painting and produce more although I'm busy with my career.
"I had brought my art to the exhibition selection after my graduation a few years ago but I was not selected. This year, I tried again because I felt I had something to submit," the freelance video editor said today.
She submitted a water colour painting portrait digitally as the first part of the process two weeks ago before bringing the original piece for the second round of the process before being selected this year.
"I chose the portrait of my brother because I liked the colour and shades in that painting. My brother is always free to pose for my paintings," she added.
Nur Hana, who is pursuing a degree in Graphic and Media Design at the University of the Arts London, said she started painting at the age of five.
She said she would bring a sketch book whenever she travelled and sketched everything she found interesting. – Bernama