The One Academy's Student Art Exhibition

There is so much artistic talent in our art academies which unfortunately goes unnoticed by the wider public. 

I was fortunate to have had a glimpse of that talent when a friend, Devang Mehta, invited me to his graduation exhibition at the One Academy in Bandar Sunway. I had known Devang since he was a boy scratching images on exercise books.

The works of five artists (including Devang’s) were on display. The others were Gladys, Rachel, Jean and Xink.

It was a revealing voyage into the creative minds of five emerging artists who were clearly on the cusp of their professional journeys. The theme of the exhibition, "Coming Together," provided a common palette for the widely divergent works that were exhibited. The works all bore the unmistakable imprints of Western work from the Impressionists to contemporary artists. But they were original in their expression and revealed the meticulous effort that must have gone into creating them.

Devang Mehta's collection of thirteen works was a revelation of the artist. With deep introspection and raw vulnerability, he delved into his inner world, expressing through his art a spectrum of fears which he candidly confessed to in the brief description of his works. From the harrowing imagery of train collisions to the disconcerting sensation of countless eyes scrutinizing him, Mehta's art was a testament to the transformative and curative potential of art.

The "Coming Together" exhibition at the One Academy in Sunway, Malaysia, was not only a celebration of artistic diversity but also a tribute to the significant role played by educational institutions like the One Academy in nurturing the talents of emerging artists. It was a reminder that art is a journey of self-discovery and evolution, and this exhibition highlighted the remarkable growth and potential of these budding artists as they stand on the threshold of greatness.