A Day in the Life: chi too
Embracing one’s downtime
By chi too, with Nabila Giovanna W
‘A Day in the Life’ is a series by A&M where we invite artists to share a day in their life through images accompanied by brief descriptions.
chi too.
chi too (b. 1981) is a self-taught Malaysian artist whose practice involves a wide range of mediums, from painting to installation to performance. With no formal training in art, these explorations serve as a way to experiment and uncover his artistic approach. His works convey underlying themes of humour, satire and visual poetics.
In his solo exhibition ‘A Sea of Despair and Delight’ (2023) at The Back Room KL, chi too presented 21 paintings, each scaled to his height and arm-span. In the suite of paintings, the white paint is added on a dark background, showing a progression until the final canvas looks completely white. This body of work aligns with his methodology of utilising basic elements such as black and white, lines and space.
Recently, chi too decided to move away from Kuala Lumpur to set up his new studio in Terengganu. Terengganu, surrounded by a calm nature, provided him a safe haven to spend his downtime. Let’s see how chi too spends his days there.
‘A Sea of Despair and Delight’ by The Back Room KL at The Godown Arts Centre, 2023
This was the last thing I made while I was still living in landlocked Kuala Lumpur.
The sea.
I moved to Terengganu, where I can be near the sea. Ever since then, I have not been making any art at all.
Setting up my studio is taking forever.
I have been setting up my studio by building the necessary fixtures and furniture. It has been going on for a year, and I doubt I will be done anytime soon.
Who needs a moodboard when you have this image?
Besides the work that I am paid to do, the rest of my time is spent by daydreaming to the ever changing landscapes of the sea.
One day I will make my way back to shore.
On a good day, I will ride my kayak out to sea. It is a good day, and I am in no hurry to return to shore.
Read all A Day in the Life stories here.
All images are courtesy of the artist.
About the Artist
chi too is an art worker and artist. He is also a journalist, filmmaker, carpenter, and baker. His goal in life is to be a kitchen assistant where all he does is cut up ingredients and clean kitchens.
