Esther Reutens' Art World: Art Life After My 1st Solo Exhibition

My 1st solo exhibition, entitled Eclectic Mindscape, exposed me to the art circle of Penang. After being a near recluse and self-imposed exile from the art scene (after 25 years), this encounter gave me mixed feelings of exhilaration and frustrating confusion.

Exhilaration came about from the recognition that Esther Reutens existed but then confusion arose from criticisms from many quarters. To cut things short, my perception of the outcome was this:

a) Malaysian culture especially Penang's is not a strong advocate for abstract / contemporary art, let alone the idea of adorning the home with art.
Sadly and shockingly even among my close schoolmates, my exhibition was the 1st and only art exhibition they had attended in their 55 years. And believe me, they are an educated lot.

Esther's Schoolmates Giving Their Support

b) The biodata / 'going overseas to study art' questions put to me constantly made me wonder whether without these credentials, you are basically an art nobody - talent or no talent.

c) The question of where 'is your style' / identity followed.

d) Then the discouraging perceived 'rules' and 'age factor' on what is necessary for fine art from curators and collectors alike came down hard on me.

The end result - a sense of being lost, like as if my soul was being regulated into different avenues of thought. It was from these differing avenues that I have ventured / experimented with different 'styles', although again observers will disagree with me - I am still strongly advocating my interests, namely - brilliant colours and the 'Play Theory' in art.

From abstract to photographic / illustrative renditions, welcome to the new series of Esther Reutens' Art World.

Fire Ice

Year : 2007
Size : 91 x 122 cm
Acrylic On Canvas
(Realistic Abstract)

The painting below (Interactive Culture) was exhibited in the Penang State Art Gallery in conjunction with the Pesta Pulau Pinang 2007.

Interactive Culture

Year : 2007
Size : 75.5 x 57 cm
Acrylic On Canvas
(Illustrative Rendition)

Concentration

Year : 2007
Size : 60 x 48.5 cm
Acrylic On Canvas
(Illustrative Rendition)

Portraitures - Illustrative Portraits with Cultural Nuances

Aquarius

Year : 2007
Size : 46 x 46 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

Facade (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 44.5 x 60 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

I Want To Go To School (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 46 x 46 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

Maxuda - Water Fire Boy (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 46 x 46 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

Freedom (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 46 x 46 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

Green Eyed Bitch

Year : 2007
Size : 46 x 46 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

Little Emperor (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 46 x 46 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

PMS Syndrome (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 46 x 46 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

Penetration (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 46 x 46 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

Indian Girl (Sold)

Year : 2008
Size : 61 x 55 cm
Mixed Media On Canvas

Gold Face

Year : 2008
Size : 61 x 61 cm
Mixed Media On Canvas

Lunar Wish (Sold)

Year : 2008
Size : 45 x 45 cm
Mixed Media On Canvas

Her Commitment (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 30.5 x 69 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

(1 of 2 panels)

His Commitment (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 30.5 x 69 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

(1 of 2 panels)

Cultural Heritage With Feng Shui Elements

Dragon Series 2

Year : 2007
Size : 55.5 x 60 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

Happiness 2 (Sold)

Year : 2007
Size : 45 x 68 cm
Acrylic On Canvas

The next 3 'Nude' paintings were exhibited in the A2 Gallery, Penang from Nov 30 to Dec 18, 2007. The show was entitled "Deciphering The Body".