Enter the vibrant world of Ting Ching Hua, a humble artisan who has devoted his entire existence to capturing the very essence of his cherished hometown, Sibu, through his extraordinary watercolour paintings.
With an unshakable fervour for realism and a fervent longing to safeguard the town’s cultural heritage, Ting has achieved legendary status among the locals, forging an enduring legacy for generations to come.
Join us as we delve into the remarkable life and artistic oeuvre of this gifted visionary affectionately known as ‘Frog’ within his close-knit circle of companions.
Ting’s humble beginning as a painter
Ting’s passion for drawing harks back to his school days at SMK Tiong Hin.
Born in Sibu, this 63-year-old artist took a divergent path in life compared to his late father, who was a barber and general store operator.
Instead, Ting discovered his vocation as a tutor for his friend’s drawing class, kindling a journey that would fashion his artistic heritage.
In 1979, Ting embarked on his own enterprise, initiating a drawing class in the picturesque town of Sungai Merah.
Years later, after instructing hundreds of students, he relocated his studio to Jalan Pahlawan in 2006, where he continues to stimulate young minds to this day.
Despite his years of experience, Ting remains a modest individual, continually seeking self-improvement through the act of teaching.
His students, spanning from school teachers to enthusiastic learners of all ages, become his inspiration, and he believes that the art of drawing is a never-ending voyage of exploration.
“When I instruct, I am also learning new things, as art is never deceased but alive,” he said.
Ting’s teaching method emphasising on encouragement
For him, nurturing young talent goes beyond the strokes of a brush; it is about instilling a genuine love for art.
When asked about the most crucial factor in teaching children art, Ting emphasizes the power of encouragement.
He believes that by igniting a spark of interest and praising their efforts, children can gradually develop a passion for drawing.
“You have to make them interested in it and help them start to draw. Encouragement is very important. You say things like, ‘You draw very nicely’, ‘This is very nice’—praise them and they become happy, and they will gradually begin to love drawing,” Ting said, his voice warm and sincere.
Through his teaching, he aspires to unlock the creative potential in each student, cultivating a deep appreciation for art that will accompany them throughout their lives.
Ting’s dedication to art knows no bounds. His youngest student was three years old—a testament to his belief that age should never be a barrier to exploring one’s artistic expression.
With lessons running an hour each week, Ting guides his students on a creative journey, offering them a safe space to experiment, learn, and grow.
Pandemic struggle
Ting said that in the art industry, there are rarely struggles because artists do what they love.
“Art is my hobby and passion but as for my teaching class stopped for two years,” he said.
However, with years of experience and hundreds of students, Ting said that he has managed to make a comeback once the government let him operate as usual.
“I’m quite lucky that my students and their parents are still passionate to learn from me.
“They call me several times during the MCO (movement control order) and asked when my studio will be open. Once we open, all my students returned,” he said.
Ting’s remarkable painting of Sibu
As the one and only artist driven to immortalise the visual memories of Sibu town, Ting paints with an unwavering passion, capturing the vibrant hues of the town’s streets and buildings.
He meticulously depicts the old and the new, blending the colours of Sibu’s architectural heritage into a beautiful masterpiece.
Through his brushstrokes, he seeks to freeze moments in time, splashing the canvas with vivid images of Sibu from the 1990s onwards, ensuring that future generations can bask in the town’s colourful history.
“It’s a fact that over time, due to development, the town will transform. We have seen buildings being demolished and new ones emerging. Scenes at the waterfront have also changed. The landscape of a place will not always be the same. If I don’t do something about it, the younger generation will be left in a grey world about how things were in the past,” Ting explains, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia.
With painstaking precision, Ting invests hours in each masterpiece, pouring his heart and soul into his watercolour paintings.
The strokes on his canvas weave a tapestry of stories, capturing the essence of Sibu’s central market—both old and new—alongside iconic landmarks like Masjid A-Qadim.
The old bakery in Sungai Merah, the bustling Sungai Merah market of yesteryears, and even the once-upon-a-time Sungai Merah kotak fishing boat all burst into a kaleidoscope of colours under his skilled hand. Each stroke is a vibrant tribute to the town he holds dear.
To achieve such intricate details, Ting relies on photographs as references, taking them of his subjects and bringing them to life in his office, which doubles as his tuition centre.
Every minute aspect is carefully observed and translated onto his canvas, breathing life and colour into his artwork.
Ting’s dedication to realism is evident in every brushstroke, as he strives to capture the essence of Sibu’s past and present, painting with the passion of a true artist.
As the sole artist devoted to immortalising the visual memories of Sibu town, Ting imbues every stroke of his brush with an unwavering passion that infuses life and colour into the streets and buildings of the town.
With meticulous attention to detail, Ting painstakingly depicts the old and new, masterfully preserving Sibu’s architectural heritage for future generations. His watercolour paintings freeze moments in time, ensuring that the younger generation has a vibrant and colourful image of Sibu from the 1990s onwards.
The changing landscape of the town, with buildings being demolished and new ones emerging, is a concern for Ting, who feels a sense of responsibility to capture the essence of Sibu’s past. His artwork weaves a tapestry of stories, bringing to life the central market, iconic landmarks like Masjid A-Qadim, and even the old bakery in Sungai Merah and the once-upon-a-time Sungai Merah kotak fishing boat in a vivid array of colours.
Ting’s dedication to realism is evident in every brushstroke, as he invests hours in each masterpiece, pouring his heart and soul into his work, creating a colourful and lively world. His office, which doubles as his tuition centre, is a haven where he brings his subjects to life, using photographs as references to ensure every minute aspect is carefully observed and translated onto his canvas.
Through Ting’s artwork, Sibu’s past and present are preserved in all their intricate detail, in a colourful tribute to the town he loves and holds dear.
The Exhibitions
Ting’s artistic prowess has not gone unnoticed. In April of this year, he successfully held an exhibition of his paintings at the Methodist Pilley Institute, captivating the hearts and minds of visitors.
The exhibition continued in May at Pustaka Sarawak Sibu, further enchanting art enthusiasts and capturing the spirit of the town through Ting’s artistry.
His next exhibition, in collaboration with the Sibu Contemporary Arts Association, is already in the works, with details yet to be finalised.
Ting’s ultimate goal is to acquaint as many people as possible, especially the youth, with the vibrant history of Sibu.
His brush breathes life into forgotten streets and vanishing landmarks, immortalising the heritage of Sibu for generations to come.
As he continues to paint the soul of the town, Ting leaves an indelible mark on the art scene, inspiring both young and old to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them and to hold onto the memories that shape their collective identity.
Whilst many may enquire about purchasing his masterpieces, Ting holds a unique perspective. He prefers to keep his artwork, cherishing it as a personal treasure.
“Nobody has stated their intention to buy. My paintings are worth up to £200 each.
“I believe that when I am gone, their value might shoot up, just like the works of Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, whose painting of the Mona Lisa is worth millions of pounds after his death,” he said as he smiles.
Hope for art the industry
Whilst Ting’s impact is felt within the confines of his studio, he harbours a fervent hope that the government – particularly the relevant ministry – will step forward to support and promote the arts.
In his eyes, holding more exhibitions would kindle the flame of interest amongst the younger generation, inviting them to embrace art as a fulfilling hobby.
“In Sibu, for instance, we rarely see any exhibition being held. Exhibitions are actually a great way to attract the younger generation to take an interest in the arts.
When asked until what age he will continue to paint, Ting said, “This isn’t heavy work, is it? I can teach children how to draw for as long as I am alive. But since I’m now teaching my former students’ children, I might consider retirement if they send me their grandchildren,” he laughed.
