Tan Kon Wha
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Title: Coconut
Title (Original Language): 椰子
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “I used to live in a coconut plantation. When I was around ten years of age, I would always climb the coconut trees. And the “rambutan” trees as well. I was a good climber. Now at this old age, I wonder how I could have been so brave then, I’d feel scared even when looking at others climb trees – I am no longer that brave! ”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tan Kon Wha
Copyright: Tan Kon Wha
Title: Tyrant of the Road
Title (Original Language): 霸王车
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “Back in the days, I could drive you anywhere you wanted to, as long as you could sketch me the map. I am the Tyrant of the Road; I have driven my friends to Johor before. I have also driven my friends to Penang for a vacation as well. Then on the same day that we left Penang, we drove down to Genting to gamble; it was a really happy moment. When I was about 40 years old, I would drive my friends to Genting to gamble. Now that I am older, I’ve only managed to drive friends to nearby places, such as for grocery shopping or to see the doctor, not driving too far. 2774 is the number plate of the Proton car I am driving now; it is still a road tyrant’s car. I have been a road tyrant for 35 years now.”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tan Kon Wha
Copyright: Tan Kon Wha
Title: Squatter House
Title (Original Language): 非法屋
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “I used to stay in a run down house in a squatter area, alongside other Chinese, Malays and Indians. My mother reared chickens and ducks for our own consumption, and I’ve been rubber tapping since I was twelve. At seventeen, I contracted leprosy and was admitted until 1968, when I was 22 years old; I recovered and left the settlement. Yet in 1975, I had to return to the settlement because I had a relapse, so I’ve been here ever since. ”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tan Kon Wha
Copyright: Tan Kon Wha
Title: Wild Boar
Title (Original Language): 山猪
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “When I was around 10 years old, I saw wild boar running across me while tapping rubber. I was so frightened I ran away immediately! After that, I have never seen a wild boar again, except for the time when I ate some wild boar meat. I bought some wild boar curry from the ‘Yik Dai Kar’ coffee shop, brought it back to the ward and ate it in secret. A packet of wild boar curry costed RM10 and I’d eat it with some rice. ”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tan Kon Wha
Copyright: Tan Kon Wha
Title: Butterfly Stroke Swimming
Title (Original Language): 蝶泳
Year: 2017
Words in the Drawing: “I already knew how to swim when I was 9 years old. I knew backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly stroke; I was self taught. There was once when I returned to my hometown in Lunas, Kedah, I found that the river we used to swim in has become narrow, the small bridge has been widened and the cars can now pass through it. People no longer swim or bathe in the river. However, I have not gone back to Kedah ever since my relapse in 1975.”
Size: 17.5cm X 15.2cm
Location: The Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Owner: Tan Kon Wha
Copyright: Tan Kon Wha