Artist Creates Portraits of Icons with Beans and Crystals

A Unique Art Form

Artist Michael Foo Chee Meng has made a name for himself by transforming everyday pantry staples into portraits of unforgettable national icons. The 42-year-old full-time artist and art teacher uses coffee beans, green beans, and even amethyst crystals to create his unique artworks.

From Inspiration to Reality

The inspiration for Foo’s art form came as a fleeting thought while munching on a handful of kuaci, a type of sunflower seed. His wife suggested he participate in an arts competition in 2021, and Foo decided to use the shell to make some art. Although he didn’t win any awards, his portrait of former health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah became an internet sensation due to the latter’s immense popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic era.

Experimenting with Materials

Encouraged by the responses, Foo created new portraits by experimenting with other raw ingredients like coffee beans, green beans, and red beans. Most of his works are dedicated to famous Penangnites, such as the late artist P Ramlee, retired squash player Nicole David, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar.

A Gift for Anwar

Foo had the honour of gifting Anwar the coffee bean portrait in person when the latter was canvassing votes for the Penang state election in 2023. The portrait was Foo’s favourite because Anwar is an icon of great political leadership, justice, and perseverance for the artist.

The Art of Creation

Creating artworks, whether with coffee beans, green beans, or amethyst crystals, is a painstaking endeavour requiring creativity and patience. From drawing to drying, these portraits are time-consuming and can take up to 12 hours to complete just one piece. Foo studies the light and shades of the subject’s contour before drawing an impression of it on paper. A layer of glue is then applied to the shadowy areas before he can carefully place the selected materials onto the surface. The drying process takes at least three hours.

No Signs of Decay

Despite not applying preservatives to his artworks, Foo said that no piece of his artwork, including the five-year-old Noor Hisham portrait, has shown any signs of decay.

Conclusion

Michael Foo’s unique art form has not only brought him popularity but also generated some side income for him. His latest project, using amethyst crystals to depict the regal status of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, showcases his creativity and skill. Foo’s artworks are a testament to the power of imagination and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.

FAQs

Q: What inspired Michael Foo to create his unique art form?
A: The inspiration came as a fleeting thought while munching on a handful of kuaci, a type of sunflower seed.

Q: What materials does Michael Foo use to create his artworks?
A: He uses coffee beans, green beans, red beans, and even amethyst crystals.

Q: How long does it take to complete one of Michael Foo’s artworks?
A: The process can take up to 12 hours to complete just one piece.

Q: Has Michael Foo applied preservatives to his artworks?
A: No, he has not applied preservatives to his artworks, and yet, they have shown no signs of decay.