18th. April 2006

MHS Old Pupil publishes "BATIK INSPIRATIONS"

Alvin Quah or Quachee of Melaka was schooled in BHES from 1988-1993, MHS from 1994-2000; F4 & 5 Sc1, L6 & U6 Arts 4, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore from 2001-2004 and graduated with B.Acc in 2004.

Malacca-born photographer, writer, and model, currently based in Singapore, an accountancy graduate from Nanyang Technological University(Singapore), Quachee's interests in writing and photography have resulted in travel articles and photographs being featured in magazines. His other passion - to be in front of the camera, has made him a model for international brands, while his entrepreneurial spirit makes him combine interests and dreams into a business model.

Quachee credits his alma mater for the essential business skills he gained, especially through the Entrepreneurship course which he enrolled in.

The launch of his 'BATIK INSPIRATIONS' - featuring top batik designers' book at the young age of 24,is a testimonial on he living his dreams.In this book, he not only wrote, but was also the Conceptualist, Creative Director, and model.

Starting off for the local market in Malaysia and Singapore, he is proud to say that the book has reached people from all over the world from as far as the US, Europe, UK, Japan, Australia, China, Middle East, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia.

He hopes that his ambition and realising his dreams in this book would be an example that can be shared by everyone to live their life to the fullest too.

Quachee hopes to be an all-round entrepreneur-artiste, where he will continue to publish high-end books which are related to culture and heritage; showcasing his talent in writing and photography as well as to continue his passion in modelling and acting.

About his first self-published book, “BATIK INSPIRATIONS”

The aim of BATIK INSPIRATIONS is to showcase the work of eight renowned batik fashion designers from Malaysia. This is in line with the promotional drive initiated by the late Datin Seri Endon Mahmood
(Malaysia's Prime Minister's late wife) who was supposed to open the recent Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention & Exhibition, the result of her 3 year effort to put Malaysian Fabrics on the world map.

She had embarked on introducing Malaysian fashion worldwide, with the theme :'Malaysian Batik crafted for the world'.

We had wanted to present the book to her in honour of her work, the source of our inspiration. Alas, it was not to be. However, a special edition of the book was presented to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi during the recent Kuala Lumpur International
Batik Convention in Dec 2005. It was a proud moment for us when he visited us at the stand and congratulated us on the book and autographed two copies for us.

BATIK INSPIRATIONS features Malaysian designers that are internationally renowned, and some were personal designers for the late Datin Seri Endon Mahmood. We also feature award winners - one of whom, Jasmi Rejab, went on to be the current first prize winner for the Piala Seri Endon 2005.

The BATIK INSPIRATIONS project was completed in 3 months, and took another 6 weeks for printing and binding.

The 22- Megapixel Digital
back "Aptus 22 " from Leaf with Mamiya 645 body was used for capturing photographs over 3 intensive days.

It is really a photoessay, and we chose the highest specifications from worldwide renowned printer, Tien Wah Press, cmmissioned to reproduce the pictures faithfully, using 300 line screen, and FMC printing format which gives ultrafine dots to bring out every detail captured.

Unlike other photographers, touch up was almost non-existent, and we avoided postcard-like enhancement of colours, and objects lying in the frame were not digitally removed for authenticity. Wires, elecrical lines, and signage were left alone, they were there, so why remove
it?

Every shot was taken after careful composition, and many were taken "on the fly" to capture the spirit of the moment, especially in street scenes.

All photographs were taken in Malacca - in traditional Malay kampunghouse, Peranakan houses, colonial buildings, and ancient historic sites (Cheng Hoon Teng temple and the Stadhuys). We also managed to locate a broken run down house in Merlimau and showcased the wondrous woodwork, which though much neglected, still retains its former glory.

All these are in line with us promoting batik in everyday life.

We are proud that BATIK INSPIRATIONS has already received global attention - as far as US, UK, Europe, Japan, China, Hong Kong and Australia. Regionally, we have orders from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

We hope that our humble work will in a way help promote both the beauty of batik Malaysia, and the different cultures of Malaysia too.

For details about “Batik Inspiration”, go to: http://www.quachee.com.