《Bayang dan Arah - Shadow and Direction》
The Absent “I”
Within that familiar string of letters,
the “I” quietly absents itself.
No protest, no sound—
only a blank space left behind,
as though a certain “I” has been drawn out.
Yet it has not vanished.
It slips softly into another cluster of letters,
into the name Malaysia.
A glimmer sparks—
“I di Malaysia.”
“I’m Malaysian.”
This painting uses a porcelain mechanical butterfly to reflect the tension between fragility and resilience—of both nation and jiwa (spirit). Its blue-and-white wings recall a quiet kind of beauty, but within their patterns, a Harimau, an eagle, and 龙 （dragon） hide in plain sight.
The butterfly’s body is made of metal and wire. At its centre is a chip—silent, cold, but full of meaning. Technology, ideology, and global pressure now shape even the smallest things.
The background is red, layered with glossy words that say “Made in China.” They appear only when the light hits right, like unseen forces in the world. Below, one phrase stands clear: “Made in Malaysia.”
A small green dot sits in the butterfly’s chest. It echoes the greens in the batik frame, but also marks Malaysia’s position—small, quiet, yet impossible to ignore.
Codes like “M.A.G.A. 2020” and “1776-45” are not explained, but they carry stories—of power, belief, and conflict.
This painting is not loud. It does not offer answers. Like kuih lapis (layered cake), it is made of layers—some sweet, some bitter, some hidden.
It asks:
How do we hold on to who we are when the world pulls in many directions?
How do we stay whole, and not break apart?
~Each echo carves a memory into time~
这幅画以一只瓷质机械蝴蝶，映照脆弱与坚韧之间的张力——既属于国家，也属于 jiwa（灵魂）。
它的青花瓷翅膀唤起一种静谧的美，但在纹样之中，老虎（Harimau）、鹰（Eagle）与龙（龙）若隐若现。
蝴蝶的身体由金属与电线构成。它的核心是一枚芯片——寂静、冰冷，却满载意义。
科技、意识形态与全球压力，如今连最细微之处也难以幸免。
背景是一片红色，其上覆着光泽的文字：“Made in China”。
它们只在光线折射时显现，就像世界上无形的力量。
而在下方，一句文字清晰可见：“Made in Malaysia”。
蝴蝶胸口有一个小小的绿色点。它呼应着画框里峇迪（Batik）的绿色，
也标记着马来西亚的位置——渺小、安静，却无法被忽视。
“M.A.G.A. 2020” 与 “1776-45” 等编码没有直接解释，
但它们承载着关于权力、信仰与冲突的故事。
这幅画并不喧哗，也没有给出答案。
它像一块千层糕（kuih lapis），由多层叠起——有甜，有苦，也有隐匿的滋味。
它提出的问题是：
当世界的力量朝着不同方向拉扯时，
我们该如何守住自我？
我们该如何保持完整，而不至于四分五裂？
This video accompanies the visual piece as part of the artist’s Art work title – Bayang dan Arah It invites viewers to look closer, and perhaps, to listen.
Artwork & Sound by Tony Ng Chit Keong 2025 | Mixed Media & Sound
Bayang dan Arah
Verse 1*
Di langit gelap ku melihat cahaya,
Sayapku rapuh tapi tak putus asa.
Terseret dalam bayang kuasa,
Namun jiwaku bukan milik sesiapa.
Chorus*
Kami bukan pion di meja besar,
Bukan cap di barang dagangan pasar.
Suara kecil dari bumi hijau,
Mahu terbang tanpa tunduk atau layu.
Verse 2*
Janji datang dari timur dan barat,
Setiap manis ada racun yang dekat.
Kami hanya mahu hidup bermaruah,
Bukan alat,
bukan boneka sejarah.
Chorus*
Kami bukan pion di meja besar,
Bukan cap di barang dagangan pasar.
Suara kecil dari bumi hijau,
Mahu terbang tanpa tunduk atau layu.
Repeat Verse 2*
Purpose of Creation | 创作初衷
Bayang dan Arah is one of the works from my series Wings of Echo. Rooted in the realities of Malaysia, the piece reflects on how a fragile nation navigates the turbulence of today’s political world. Through painting, I seek to record this moment of uncertainty — not as reportage, but as a visual witness to the chaos shaping our time.
This work is not meant to move viewers instantly. Instead, I hope it lingers — quietly, with afterglow — provoking reflection, and allowing one to sense the unease and fragility of our present world.
《Bayang dan Arah》是我正在进行的系列作品《Wings of Echo》的其中一幅作品。它以马来西亚的现实为出发点，思考一个脆弱的国家如何在当今世界政治的动荡中前行。通过绘画，我试图记录这种不确定的时刻——不是作为新闻，而是作为一种视觉见证，让人看见这个时代的混乱。
这件作品并非要立刻打动观者。我更希望它能在心中留下余韵，静静发酵，引发思考，让人感受到当下世界的混乱与脆弱。