Lim Take Bane (left) and Chin Kon Yit’s Landmarks of Malaysia: 360 Paintings captures the country’s architectural glories.

his interest and talent. Despite the apparent ease of sketching straight lines and pylons, however, there was a hidden challenge: this was uncharted waters for Chin, who had only previously rendered old buildings. “I felt blind going into it because I had no idea how it would turn out. Would it be good? Would it be bad? There was a fear of the unknown,” he says with a laugh.

Happily, however, Chin’s modern landscapes of paved streets and city buildings turned out to be a triumph. Perusing the pages of this book, memories are triggered gazing upon familiar buildings and scenes. The images are evocative, with the soft colours dancing over you, making you alive to the idea that there are beautiful things around. The delicate brush strokes accentuate fi ner details in the shapes and lines of the great architecture. The monumental buildings captured within seem to have a sense of place and importance, with charisma imbued by famous personalities.

Not all is well, though, and Chin is cognisant of this as he laments the disappearance of antique buildings in Malaysian towns and cities. “It breaks my heart to see a beautiful structure, unique in its design and history, being replaced by another cold and grey skyscraper.” It’s akin to the story of Aladdin and the magic lamp from

While, on the surface, a ‘landmark’ may seem to refer only to a wonderful piece of architecture, something that may have borne witness to historic events or legendary fi gures, it is actually anything generally recognised as symbolic. In fact, it may even be a place that is signifi cant to one person. “A landmark in your life may be the halls of your alma mater, the place where you fell in love, or the building in which you grew up in,” explains chartered architect Lim Take Bane.

One may wonder why buildings should be exalted but, for Lim, buildings are a living piece of art, more than mere brick and mortar. “It is a sculpture in which people live; the walls of which paintings adorn; the very space in which rounds of life are led and chambers in which music is heard,” he says eloquently.

Such appreciation, perhaps, explains why Lim is the perfect person to write an introduction to Chin Kon Yit’s Landmarks of Malaysia: 360 Paintings, a compilation of watercolours of landmarks from every state in Malaysia. Having spent more than 25 years documenting Malaysian architecture – published in works like Kuala Lumpur Sketchbook, Penang Sketchbook, Landmarks of Selangor and Landmarks of Perak – the latest work is surely just a culmination of

LANDMARKSOF LIFEChin Kon Yit’s works in Landmarks of Malaysia: 360 Paintings invite you to take a step back and open your hearts to the buildings around you. Historic and ordinary structures of Malaysia come to life in this collection from this master of watercolours.

TEXT KIRAT KAUR PHOTOGRAPHY ROBIN LIEW

One Thousand and One Nights, where the priceless and powerful lamp was traded for a shiny new one. Lim explains: “When old buildings are torn down for new, the history and magic of the place disappear along with it. Certain heritage is priceless; it is over and above monetary value. A thing of beauty is to be enjoyed forever. A lot of old Malaysian buildings are innovative; we’re just unaware until we open our eyes to them. Pause and think if something

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“A LANDMARK IN YOUR LIFE MAY BE THE HALLS OF YOUR ALMA MATER, THE PLACE WHERE YOU FELL IN LOVE, OR THE BUILDING IN WHICH YOU GREW UP IN.”

is worth tearing down. We should be proud of our history.”

That should be the true legacy of Landmarks of Malaysia, a celebration of architecture, iconic and monumental, as well as a commemoration of the events and people associated with them.

Landmarks of Malaysia: 360 Paintings by Chin Kon Yit, with an introduction by Lim Take Bane, is published by Editions Didier Millet.

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SULTAN ABDUL SAMAD BUILDINGChin smiles as he recalls the moment he saw the building in real life. He reminisces: “My father brought us to visit this monumental building. It felt surreal because I’ve only seen black and white photos of it. Seeing it in front of me, the colours and details fl ooded my senses and I was completely bowled over by the magnifi cence of it all.”

MASJID LEBUH ACHEHChin is particularly fond of this piece. “This image speaks volumes. Despite the absence of people, you just know that it’s a bustling place teeming with people from all walks of life. What makes it truly beautiful is that it’s a Malay mosque surrounded by Chinese-majority shophouses. It simply portrays tolerance and total acceptance.”

MASJID JAMEKMasjid Jamek is a dreamscape in Lim’s eyes. “The scene is fairy tale-like where you’re miles away from the sea and you see beautiful palm and coconut trees. This modest single-storey building with beautiful minarets is like an Arabian fantasy in the middle of the city.”

BALIK PULAU ROUNDABOUTOnce a fountain naturally watered by a hot spring, this seemingly unassuming roundabout holds a lot of signifi cance for generations of Balik Pulau residents. At the convergence of the town’s three main roads, thousands of motorists and pedestrians have passed it for generations, permanently etching it into their minds and memories.

BATU ROAD BOYS SCHOOLA monumental building in Lim’s life, Batu Road Boys School gave him his fi rst experience of an institution. The stripped classic design of the school gave him a taste of the world of architecture, piquing his interest.

GOLDSMITH STREETOne of Chin’s favourite locations, Goldsmith Street in Malacca is perhaps one of the most unique in the country. An Indian temple, a mosque and a Chinese temple stand side by side in a street, a testament to the nation’s spirit of unity. Perhaps, this is why Chin has fondly nicknamed it “Street of Harmony”. A dim sum shop nearby that closes every Friday out of respect for the Muslim Friday prayers further projects the message of tolerance.

LEBUH AMPANG SHOPHOUSESLim adores its Palladian facade and double-height columns. “This is referred to as ‘a giant order‘ in architectural terms,” says Lim. The beautifully ornate windows are enthralling as they give the sense that it is teeming with stories to tell.

KLANG SHOPHOUSES“The shophouse was an important landmark in my formative years as it was where I grew up. We lived over the shops. There was never a dull moment with the hustle and bustle going on below. The amount of fond memories I have of this place is endless,” says Chin.

CARVED IN STONEChin Kon Yit and Lim Take Bane share their favourite landmarks in their latest publication.

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KUALA LUMPUR CITY CENTRE“I’ve always been averse to illustrating modern landscapes and new buildings because they felt too easy to draw. It was all straight lines and windows, there was no challenge there. However, I gave it a go with this piece and I felt a great joy in me. There was a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. When I fi nished it, I wanted to shout out my achievement from a mountain top for the world to hear. I can proudly declare to all that I can push myself to do new things. Thus, this whole piece became another milestone in my life; it became a landmark,” says Chin.

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