While filled with compassion for these animals, she knew she did not have the resources to shelter them all. Tham began to ponder on what she could do to help them, realising that even the smallest effort was better than doing nothing.
This led her, together with fellow illustrator/pet parents Boon Lee (of Gattai Studio) and Annie Lim (Stray Inc) to start “Art for Strays”.
This initiative shares heartfelt stories of rescued and adopted stray animals through paintings, illustrations, designs, and photography.
“Many of my friends also love cats and dogs, and each has been helping strays in their own way. This time, I wanted to bring them together to use creativity and art to turn our real stories with cats and dogs into works of art,” Tham told FMT Lifestyle.
“The proceeds from sales will be used to help other strays, putting into practice the idea of ‘strays helping strays’. One person’s strength may be small, but when we come together, our collective impact becomes greater,” Tham added.
In fact, the initiative is part of a larger art programme, “The REAL Cat & Dog Exhibition”, a unique art showcase in which the creators aren’t human beings, but cats and dogs!
The exhibition, located at GMBB Level 4, is open daily from 11am to 8pm, and runs until Sep 30.
Art for Strays, on the other hand, will feature pet-themed workshops, a mini marketplace, and an Art for Strays Sharing Session where creators share their personal journeys with animals. Sale proceeds will go towards feeding strays and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programmes.
One highlight of the event is an art exhibition, which will feature 12 local creators. Showcased will be 12 unique vinyl record sleeve designs, each carrying a true story of either a stray cat or a stray dog.
“There are no actual vinyl records inside. Instead, each creator has prepared a surprise gift tucked into their sleeve. These include a set of postcards, a mini zine about their pet’s story, a hand-painted canvas bag, a voucher to join a cat-themed craft workshop, and more,” said Tham, a cat owner who creates art under the handle Maoren YY.
“The idea of a hidden surprise is to symbolise this: every cat or dog that comes into our lives is the most wonderful gift, bringing us countless unexpected joys,” she said.
The creators making the vinyl sleeves come from all walks of life: many are Tham’s friends who have been active in adopting, feeding, or helping stray animals, and members of the GMBB creative community.
These include illustrators Mun Yeong and Shermene of Bang Bang Zine, crafter Xin Lin of Shi Terrazzo Atelier, GMBB curator Ying Xian, illustrator K’ling Kalang, art teacher and comic artist Liow of Liow’s Moving Art Class, artist Shazlin Jalil, publisher, editor and curator Albbie, and event planner Ivie.
The youngest creators, sisters Woo Jia Yuu and Woo Zhuo Ying, are 11 and eight years old respectively!
“Each of the 12 creators brings a completely different medium and style to the show. Some are professional artists, others are hobbyists or beginners, but we share the same love for stray animals and the true stories of cats and dogs in our lives,” said Tham.
Tham said she hoped visitors to the exhibition will be inspired to think about how they can treat animals respectfully: these include adopting strays instead of buying new pets, and choosing trap, neuter, release/rehome/relocate methods over culling.
“We hope visitors will be touched and inspired by the 12 creators’ works and the real stories behind them.
“May they leave with a renewed sense of compassion, which they can share with family and friends, and help instil the value of treating stray animals with kindness in the next generation,” Tham concluded.
‘Art for Strays’ (free admission)
When: Sept 6 & 7 (Saturday and Sunday) @ 11am-7pm
Where:
GMBB, 2, Jalan Robertson,
Bukit Bintang,
50150 Kuala Lumpur
For more information, follow Art for Strays on Instagram.