Dear Friends,
The Balai Seni Lukis Negara launched ‘Project Archive: ERIC PERIS on 30 November, 2023 with a publication of a book as a culmination of a year long photography exhibition of his works.
The exhibition was curated by Haikhal Zulkifli and the event was presided by the new chairman of The National Visual Art Development Board, Mr Shaik Rizal Sulaiman.
However, the man behind the project is long time friend, writer Cyril Pereira. Cyril collaborated in the publication of Eric’s book, ‘Tin Mine Landscapes’ and ‘Gitanjali’, a pictorial ode to Tagore’s famous work illustrated by Eric’s evocative photographs.
The recognition by National Visual Art Gallery of 84 year old Eric Peris was greeted with jubilation by many of his close friends such as Sheila Raman, photographer Choy Khye Fatt and artist Sivarajah Natarajan who had always believed in his contributions to Malaysian photography.
Eric has presented more than 40 solo photography exhibitions and since the mid 90s had exhibited mainly at Sutra Gallery.
Eric, who credited his father and mother as his mentors, is known for establishing photography as a recognised art form. His works became Malaysian photographic classics, simultaneously establishing the benchmark for other photographers to emulate.
Eric’s photography is influenced by his deep Buddhist philosophy that view Life as Maya (illusion) and impermanent (Anicca).
Mother Nature has been his perennial source of inspiration. As a master of light (and its tonal ranges) and shadow, Eric stops to see for the rest of us. He is witness to what we miss to see.
We wish Eric all the best for his future exhibitions and to continue to astonish us with new ways of seeing.
Ramli Ibrahim