Joshua Jabeng

Summary

Since childhood, I've had a strong affinity for art. I started by drawing cartoons on newspaper margins and even in my father's Bible, though I stopped after a few scoldings. I then turned to carving and model-making, often injuring myself but maintaining my passion for artistic pursuits, including singing.

In school, I excelled in black & white pencil drawing, fascinated by light and shade techniques, yet my academic scores didn't reflect my talent. Financial constraints led me to tertiary education in Bandung, Indonesia, where I found inspiration in local art scenes.

Returning to Kuching, I taught art while painting in my spare time, focusing on native longhouses set against natural landscapes. In 1981, I entered the Sarawak Fine Arts Competition, placing third, and began selling paintings to expatriates.

Retirement prompted a renewed interest in painting, especially during the MCO lockdown in 2023. I revived my favorite theme of native longhouses and local landscapes, aiming to preserve our cultural heritage amidst modernization.

Today, my mission is to educate younger generations about traditional longhouses and our Sarawakian identity through art, believing that decorating our homes with meaningful paintings fosters a connection to our heritage.

Harvest | Oil on canvas | 24x48 inches | 2023

Tranquility | Oil on canvas | 23x30 inches | 2023

Prince of the Forest | Oil on canvas | 15x15 inches | 2023

Neighbourhood | Oil on Canvas | 36x23 inches | 2023

Living Heart | oil on canvas| 35x27 inches | 2024