For over thirty years, Dato Sri’ Bernard Chandran has been a outstanding determine in Malaysia’s vogue and modern artwork scene, incomes him the title of the nation’s “king of couture.” The style visionary typically applies a deep understanding of texture and heritage textiles into his couture creations to ship one-of-a-kind items that problem standard notions of Malaysian tradition and custom.
It’s these similar couture rules that Dato Sri’ Bernard Chandran applies to his ongoing artwork exhibition dubbed “MYTH Creation: Head to Tail”. “MYTH Creation” is a deeply private exploration of mythology and spirituality seen from the designer’s private narrative and follows the trajectory of his earlier exhibition, “MYTH Evolution”. In keeping with the 2024 12 months of the Dragon, “MYTH Evolution” noticed Dato Sri’ Bernard Chandran explored his Chinese language heritage. Right here he delved into his relationship along with his late mom and reflections on others born within the 12 months of the Dragon which led him on a religious journey to spend ten days in deep reflection in India, spanning the ultimate days of 2024 into the early days of 2025.
Throughout his meditation retreat, Bernard discovered readability and reaffirmed the necessity to proceed expressing himself by means of the lens of cultural mythology. The 12 months 2025 — marking the 12 months of the Wooden Snake — supplied profound inspiration. Occurring solely as soon as each sixty years, the Wooden Snake symbolises persistence and kindness alongside virtues of introspection and steadiness. From this religious reawakening, “MYTH Creation” emerged — drawing on the snake motif as understood by means of the Chinese language zodiac and its deep roots throughout historic and non secular narratives.
It was at this level of transition — between 龙 (lóng) and 变 (biàn) — that the path of the work grew to become clearer. The symbolism of the Snake offered a concrete framework for this subsequent part of exploration. Bernard instantly created the exhibition’s first assortment, “MYTHS of Aura” comprising 4 works in distinct colours — every representing a type of transformation: Renewal, Spirituality, Enlightenment, and Ardour. This inaugural physique of labor initiated the year-long journey following his Vipassana retreat and prolonged by means of the total cycle of the Snake 12 months. “MYTHS of Aura” started the 12 months because the metaphorical head of the snake.
Simply earlier than embarking on his journey, Christie’s London expressed curiosity in presenting his “MYTH Evolution” assortment and requested new works depicting snakes — as the approaching 12 months marked the 12 months of the Snake. This aligned with Bernard’s evolving imaginative and prescient, although it launched the strain of a shortened artistic timeline. Following “MYTH Evolution”, Bernard shifted his meditation from the phrase 龙 (lóng) to 变 (biàn), the previous which means Dragon and the latter which means Change. Change felt important, but its path remained unclear.
In some ways, the “MYTH Creation: Head to Tail” exbihition marks a time of artistic renewal for Dato Sri’ Bernard Chandran whereby he mirrors the transformative symbolism of the snake by shedding his former artistic pores and skin to usher in a extra contemplative and spiritually anchored period.
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What was the inspiration behind the brand new “MYTH Creation” exhibition?
The inspiration behind “MYTH Creation” got here after I accomplished the “MYTH Evolution” exhibition in 2024. I made a decision that it could be intriguing to proceed creating artwork revolving across the 12 animals from the Chinese language zodiac, with every animal connecting to a unique side of my life over these previous 12 years. On this case, the Snake was completely aligned with my religious journey and transformation.
Are you able to clarify the affiliation between the “Snake” and the “Sacred”?
Throughout my meditation retreat in India, I began to meditate on the phrase 变 (biàn) and intrinsically I knew its significance to my religious journey. It was solely after that that I related it to the snake and the religious and non secular imagery that that image evokes by itself.
Following your retreat in India in 2024, you mirrored, “Just like the snake, I symbolically shed my previous pores and skin.” May you broaden on what this meant for you?
It’s actually so simple as that. Going by means of the Vipassana retreat for the primary time was a shock to my system and a mandatory rejuvenation at this stage in my life. Primarily, it was 变 (biàn).
In your canvases, you juxtapose supplies of valuable origin — resembling turquoise stones, with very uncooked parts like metal nails. May you elaborate on this unconventional mixture of supplies?
The bizarre mixture of supplies will not be actually “uncommon” when contemplating my 30 years in vogue design. Through the years, I’ve honed my abilities within the craft and belief in my talents in addition to having religion in my crew to execute the unknown. Every bit is a refined homage to our home tagline, “Count on the sudden from Bernard Chandran”.
Vogue and artwork are deeply intertwined in your follow. What lasting affect did your years learning vogue design in Paris have in your artistic method?
One key takeaway from my years in Paris was seeing how materials are meticulously archived and preserved. I’ve carried this follow into my very own work and it has immediately formed this exhibition. Most of the supplies you see right here — resembling in “MYTHS of Africa: Tribes” and “MYTHS of India: Golconda” — are deeply important and private, with virtually no newly bought parts.
Of all of the milestones you’ve got reached, what has been essentially the most memorable and rewarding for you as far as an artist?
Essentially the most memorable expertise as I’ve delved into the high-quality arts scene is my use of the language I’ve realized from my late mom throughout the previous two exhibitions. This expertise has taught me a lot about myself and introduced me nearer to my late mom in some ways, once more like a rejuvenation or renewal in my life.
How would you describe the Malaysian artwork scene in the present day?
I feel it’s getting higher and extra modern. It’s good to see artists being bolder and unafraid to share their distinctive types and voices.
What position do artists play in society?
There are a lot of roles; my position is to proceed to find myself and share that journey.
What recommendation would you give to younger people who find themselves within the midsts of pursuing their ambitions?
Get your self comfortable spiritually. Don’t be afraid and hearken to your internal voice.
As a ultimate query, who has been an influential chief that you’ve got appeared as much as?
Steve Jobs
“Fable Creation” is displayed by appointment solely at Fahrenheit88 Kuala Lumpur.
Go to Dato Sri Bernard Chandran’s official web site right here.
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