A photojournalist's quest to capture a disappearing Malaysia


Hasmizar Hassan Yap Pik Kuan

PHOTOJOURNALIST SC Shekar spent three and a half years travelling across Malaysia, taking pictures of the country’s rugged landscapes and diverse peoples from different perspectives.

What he ended up with was over 50,000 images, a selection of which is featured in a huge 5.5 kilo, 330-page book and a photo exhibition titled “Grit & Grace: The Grandeur of Monochrome Malaysia”.

“It was very difficult to whittle it down to less than 300 images for the book and about 50 for the exhibition,” he told The Malaysian Insight at the gallery in Kuala Lumpur.

The idea for the project was sparked by an aerial photography assignment in Sarawak, which led Shekar on a journey to capture more of Malaysia that was less seen by people.

He also wanted to capture the natural landscapes and the people living in it before losing it all to development.

“We have to embrace change. These are things that are going to happen. Sometimes you can’t fight it,” said Shekar, who has been taking photos for the last 35 years.

“If we can show people picture of beautiful Malaysia, then maybe we would be less inclined to destroy it.”

Given Malaysia’s diverse geography and melting pot of communities, it was a conscious, artistic decision to photograph in black and white.

According to Shekar, colour can sometimes be a distraction.

“For me, black and white images are very powerful because when you strip the colour all you’re left with is form and texture,” he said.

“And within that, you can say so much. You don’t really need the colour to help you.”

Experience Shekar’s stunning monochrome photos at 2 Hang Kasturi (below RUANG by Think City, Kuala Lumpur). The exhibition is open to public until October 16, 2017, from 10am.
Admission is free. – October 11, 2017.


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