Dian Bian Hu, one of the favourites in town. – photo courtesy of Calven Seeker
Kiu working at his stall. – photo courtesy of Calven Seeker
The design given by SMC. – photo courtesy of Calven Seeker
Tiong (right) paints on the wall while a boy looks on.
Tiong (right) taking a picture with a member of the public.
Tiong working on the mural.
Tiong working on the project.
SIBU: Kiu Chiong Loi, who has spent 56 years operating a `Dian Bian Hu’ stall at a side-lane of Blacksmith Road here, will be featured in a mural depicting him cooking the dish.
Artist, cinematography videographer and photographer Brandon Tiong, 41, is working on the mural in the side-lane where Kiu’s stall is.
This is the seventh mural in town commissioned by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) last year to gear up for Visit Sibu Year (VSY) 2017.
Tiong started painting the mural on Feb 13 and will complete the work tomorrow, weather permitting.
“I work on the project from 8.30am until 5.30pm daily. Because I am a videographer and photographer, I have other commitments. Whenever I have time I work on the project,” he said.
Tiong is not a stranger to many people here. He is one of the renowned videographers and photographers in town.
However, to see him holding the brush and work on such art is something many would not expect.
“I graduated from Malaysia Institute of Art (MIA) in Kuala Lumpur with Diploma in Graphic (major in illustration).
“I love illustrations; it is the art I first fell in love with. When I came back to Sibu after graduation, I did not do any painting work at all until now,” he said.
He said he took the challenge to paint the mural after receiving an invitation from the council.
“I was given a project by the council to make a video trailer on wall arts in conjunction with VSY 2017.
“Since, I am going to do this, the council asked if I may ‘sponsor’ one piece of street art; I agreed,” he said.
He said the council provided the paints and the ideas for the mural.
“So, I didn’t have to think of what I need to do. I just draw according to the need,” he said.
According to him, he took three hours to outline the 4ft x 7ft frame on the wall and another few hours to sketch the picture.
He took two and a half days to do the first layer of colouring.
Now, the project is 60 per cent completed.
“This is hard work, but I really enjoy it because I love painting,” he said.
People stop by to take pictures as he works.
“This really created a lot of attention. People would ask to take pictures with me. I did not know that the people in Sibu would love this too,” he enthused.
Despite the excitement, he said he had a lot of stress making this project as this was his first time since he stopped painting a long time ago.
“I realised it is not easy, I am worried of course. I need to make sure that all elements are right in this painting, to make this painting realistic and come to life,” he said.
He said the hardest part was painting the clothing.
“The texture is really hard, I need to get it right,” he said.