Magdelene Tai

Summary

Magdalene’s passion for art began at a young age, and it flourished when she attended Batu Lintang Teachers’ Training College. It was there that she crossed paths with her art mentor, Matthew Teo, a remarkable teacher whose profound knowledge of art left a lasting impression on her. Magdalene held Matthew in high esteem and gleaned valuable insights from him. Her encounter with him inspired her to embark on a journey of art education, which she pursued in Sydney after an 18-year career as a teacher. Initially specializing in graphic design and printmaking, Magdalene’s artistic exploration led her to break away from conventional techniques, delving into the realm of contemporary art. After spending five years in Australia, she returned home and marked her artistic journey with her first solo exhibition at Dewan Tun Abdul Razak. The exhibition showcased her proficiency in graphic design, printmaking, and painting, reflecting her evolution as an artist.

Magdalene’s approach to painting is deeply rooted in her graphic design training. She places great importance on taking her time during the creative process. Drawing from her graphic design background, she continues the practice of creating thumbnails before embarking on her painting projects. During moments of artistic uncertainty, which every artist encounters, she finds solace in her garden, rekindling
her creative spirit and resuming her painting process.

As an abstract artist, Magdalene firmly believes in the holistic appreciation of composition. She emphasizes that the entire artwork must be seen as a cohesive whole, urging viewers to embrace the “whole package” to fully appreciate the essence of her artistic vision.