It’s never too early to teach children to appreciate art, and a new illustrated book, Let’s Look At Art, makes it even easier.
Released to celebrate Kuala Lumpur’s Ilham Gallery’s 10th anniversary, this 36-page picture book encourages young readers to explore art galleries and discover the work of Malaysian artists.
“Part of the reason we wanted to create an illustrated children’s book was to encourage art appreciation, especially Malaysian art. There are plenty of books abroad introducing kids to Western artists like Picasso and Monet, but we still lack ones with local content,” says Rahel Joseph, Ilham Gallery director and the book’s author.
“I think it’s important for Malaysians – young and old – to have an opportunity to appreciate our own culture and our own artists,” she adds. Despite her role as gallery director, Joseph has long championed giving the next generation a chance to discover local art.
‘Let’s Look At Art’, released for Ilham Gallery’s 10th anniversary, is written by Rahel Joseph, illustrated by Lisa Goh of Ke Ai De Ke and designed by Kenta Chai. Photo: Ilham Gallery
In 2011, she co-authored The Malaysian Art Book For Children, a Khazanah Nasional project, with theatre veteran Jo Kukathas. The duo reunited in 2019 for Awesome Art Malaysia: 10 Works From The Land Of Mountains Everyone Should Know, published by National Gallery Singapore.
Joseph says nurturing a love of art in young children is crucial, as it fosters critical and creative thinking.
“These are two really important qualities that will help you in whatever career you choose, whether it’s in the arts or law or banking. Employers are always looking for employees who can think out of the box, and resolve problems proactively,” she adds.
What’s inside the book?
Let’s Look At Art features works by Malaysian artists Latiff Mohidin, Nirmala Dutt, Yau Bee Ling, and Joshua Kane Gomes, while offering a behind-the-scenes look at how curators and art workers design and install exhibitions.
Designed by Ilham Gallery collaborator Kenta Chai, the book opens with the question, “Why do people make art?” and guides readers from artists’ studios to museum galleries, showing how visitors experience art.
Its pages also share tips on engaging with art and exploring how it can spark reflection on contemporary issues, from society to climate change.
The book offers a glimpse into art, from creation in the studio to display in the museum. Photo: Ilham Gallery
“I enjoy writing for younger people, though I do find it challenging – it’s not always easy trying to explain something complex in simple, accessible language,” says Joseph, who also writes much of Ilham Gallery’s education material for younger visitors.
“The idea is not to dumb it down, but to really communicate those ideas or concepts clearly and hopefully in an enjoyable way. A lot of our readers are actually adults who really appreciated having material on art written in a way that made it more accessible to everyone,” she adds.
Hidden wonders
The book was illustrated by Lisa Goh of Ke Ai De Ke art studio, personally selected by Joseph for the project.
“I knew I didn’t want the illustrations to be too childish – I wanted it to be something everyone, adults included, would enjoy. I had seen Lisa’s book Somewhere In The Kuala and loved the way she can capture the essence of spaces and buildings, which is probably due to her background in architecture,” says Joseph.
“We met over coffee one day and I knew immediately she would be the right fit. When I saw her initial sketches, I was blown away. I love the way she observes the smallest things: the person daydreaming in the gallery, a child pulling her mother away, an art conservator examining an artwork, curators engrossed in a meeting,” she adds.
Goh says illustrating the Ilham Gallery book was a smooth and enjoyable process. The project was a natural progression from Somewhere In The Kuala, published last year by independent publisher Suburbia Projects, which featured her illustrations alongside those of lecturer and freelance designer William Chew.
In the book, young readers can also find tips on how to engage with art. Photo: Ilham Gallery
“I’m really thankful that Rahel trusted my process and gave me the freedom to explore different ways of visualising the narrative. This is my second time illustrating a children’s book, and I don’t usually have strict rules about what a children’s book should be,” says Goh.
“Personally, I enjoy creating images that feel lively and are full of little details, similar to my approach in Somewhere In The Kuala. While working on the book, I kept picturing the reader’s joy in discovering these small, hidden moments. I also wanted the colours and compositions to have a whimsical touch, something that feels a bit magical and joyful. I hope that sense of wonder comes through to readers when they look at the illustrations,” she adds.
Let’s Look At Art is available at the Ilham Gallery Gift Shop for RM50.
“We hope it will encourage young visitors to explore art museums like Ilham Gallery and engage with the art they see,” concludes Joseph.
In addition, this year Ilham Gallery launched another initiative to bring art closer to the public: Skola Gambar Ilham, a mobile gallery inside a truck that travelled around Klang Valley, visiting schools, low-cost flats, and community centres.