PARTNERSHIPS WITH A PURPOSE
Founders
Monica Chen
A creative writer and strategic thinker, Monica has been in the advertising industry for over 22 years. She has a passion for story telling across all media, and she builds brands using insights that come from a deep understanding of Malaysian needs and culture. Monica is keen on expanding the social responsibilities of corporate citizens, and her immediate interest is in sustainable springboards that not only grow businesses but help businesses empower communities.
Ken Goh
In his 22 years as a strategic art director and graphic designer, Ken’s advertising experience spans across diverse disciplines and brands.
His concepts are versatile, relevant, and at times experimental, to give different brands their own style and personality. In early 2017, Ken realised his calling to do more with Art – hence, his belief in collaborating with different artists to champion the Arts as a voice for brand building while giving back to the community through sustainable ways.
Supporters + Collaborators + Partners in Art
FAROUK ALJOFFERY
Film Director
M. THAVASOTHY
MAB Council Member
FAUZIAH MOHD RAMLY
Advocate & Activist Children &
Physically Challenged
ELAINE CHAN
Art Educator
DAVID LOK
Photographer
KHIM JOE
Permaculture Landscape Architect
FLORENCE LAMBERT
Founder - Gadis Manis
MONICA LEE
Hyperrealistic Artist
MORE TO COME
SUJANA MOHD
Advocate & Activist Children &
Physically Challenged
Sensory Photography Photographers
Ahar Bin Tabe
(B2)
Ahar is from Sabah and he suffered visual impairment since childhood. He is able to make out vague shapes and colours without any details. Now in his early 20’s, he is using the camera as a tool for self-expression. Ahar is shy and quiet, and although reserved, his choice of subjects and environment speaks volumes about the way he feels in that moment. In his photographs, he often expresses a passionate connection to his childhood and hometown.
Svivabalan A/L Selvarajan (B2)
Svivabalan is the youngest in the group, having recently completed his SPM. He has a heart ailment that affects his vision. His visual impairment permits him to see blurred forms and any recognition is only by extreme close-up. Svivabalan is a master at chess and has represented Malaysia in tournaments. As a photographer,
he has a quirky sense of humour. Experimenting with colours,
close-ups and unusual concepts, he enjoys showing his audience a different perspective of appreciating a scene.
Vivian
Kwek Chu Lan
(B3)
Vivian is an active participator and organiser in activities for the visually impaired. She is impaired with an extreme low vision and a severely impacted night vision. Vivian enjoys the outdoors. She is an avid cyclist as she is a photographer. Her subjects in photography makes for thoughtful pieces, capturing the world at large and the humans who attempt to fit in. Stunning, subjective and resembling a Chinese-styled painting, at the core, there is depth in meaning for philosophical minds.
ELAINE CHAN
Art Educator
Jamaliah Bte Mohd Yasin (B1)
Jamaliah was diagnosed with Glaucoma 30 years ago. Over the years, her sight failed gradually and at the age of 60, she lost her vision completely. The most senior in this group, she is the most spirited. She interacts wonderfully with strangers and this eagerness to explore, enables her to capture portraiture of people on the street with ease. Her last assignment where she gained talent direction experience as an event photographer, was a huge success.
Suzie Ng
(B2)
Suzie is from Klang. She has an impairment that reduces her sight to only vague shapes and shadows. If there is one word to describe her, it is ‘unafraid’. Eager to experiment, she has her way of blending into any surrounding to capture a story. Suzie on the go with a camera is able to tell stories that span from humour to intrigue and simple joys. Her work also carries a reflection of her inner self, and is laced with nostalgia.
Rashidi Bin Abdullah (B3)
Rashidi started losing his sight in his early teens. Today he is managing with partial tunnel vision. His sight is gradually collapsing in from the sides; a condition that will regress to total blindness over time. Rashidi is drawn to geometry and he is fascinated with the way shapes collide and harmonise. With tunnel vision, the shape of his world is organically different from a sighted person. He is also an accomplished poet and often pairs his sajak to the images he captures.
Theng Sze Young (B1)
Theng was an engineer before he lost his sight in a car accident.
He is determined to show that even with his visual disability, unexpected achievements are still possible. As a father, he wants to set a purposeful example for his children. Theng is totally blind hence, his approach to photography is guided by instinct to gauge distance and texture. His subjects may be varied but his storytelling consistently uses emotion as the lens.
All are legally blind at different degrees of visual impairment. The classifications are:
B1 : total blindness
B2 : partial vision of shadows and movement
B3 : severe low vision / tunnel vision