By Elvina Fernandez
Harold Klemp Antony, 25, an art lecturer at a private college in Kuala Lumpur and dedicated parishioner of the Cathedral of St John in Kuala Lumpur, has created two stunning murals inspired by the Jubilee Year of Hope.
These murals, now displayed at the cathedral, are more than just beautiful pieces of art; they are a testament to the power of creativity in uniting a community.
Harold’s journey as an artist is deeply rooted in his childhood. “I am a full-time lecturer, and art is not something new to me. Creating art professionally now is a childhood dream. The passion for art never left my sight,” he shares.
Growing up, Harold’s love for art was undeniable, but it was his father’s encouragement and guidance that truly shaped his path. “Back in preschool, for all my art homework, my dad would sit with me to help me give my best,” he recalls.
He added that the support of his dad, family, and teachers played a pivotal role in nurturing his art journey. “I very clearly remember my dad used to spend time sitting with me during my school days to help me with my art homework; those are moments I would cherish very much and are what brought me to creating the jubilee artwork today.”
This early influence not only sparked Harold’s interest in art but also ignited a desire to impress his father with his own creations. “I would always be excited to show my dad the art that I have created to get his comments and approval. This would highly motivate me to be more creative and think of doing better in my artwork over time.”
Despite excelling in his studies and entering the science stream in secondary school, Harold’s art skills shone brighter.
“My science stream teachers would tell me that I would do great in the art stream. They said I naturally have it, a gift and calling for a reason, and I should think about it,” Harold explains.
Answering his true calling, he embarked on a journey that combined his love for art and his dedication to his faith. “While my expertise is in digital art, I always had a dream deep down to use my talent to create Christian artwork.”
So, when the opportunity to create the Jubilee artwork at his parish came by, it was a true dream come true for Harold. “It was our parish priest, Fr Gerard Theraviam’s idea, which came as a pleasant surprise to me and a reminder that God has gifted me my talent for a purpose,” he says. Harold added that the request came in February last year, and from there the idea conceptualisation and planning took place.
Fr Gerard’s vision and Harold’s artistic talent culminated in two breath-taking pieces of artwork that took a total of two months to be brought to life, telling a story to each person who looks at it differently, displayed above the doors of the cathedral.
Speaking about the process, Harold said, “I embarked on a personal mission to paint every day. I only brought my students for two days; the rest of the time it was me on my own. I went after work from about 5.30pm to 11.00pm.”
He added that this endeavour became a journey of discernment. “Miraculously, things never went wrong, no traffic issues, no shortage of funds. There was always this blissful peace.”
“People would ask if I was sure I could finish, but I trusted the process, knowing that everything would work out with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Despite going through personal challenges, this mission taught me to trust God. I learned to let go and let God, to seek Him and find Him.”
Through this journey, Harold said, he saw that God is always waiting for us. “Every evening, the church would be open, the altar lit up, during Advent, a time of waiting for something good. It made me realise that God is waiting for us throughout the year. I saw that every evening He is ready for us, which put things into perspective—a great message for us to go home and seek Him.”
When asked about the idea of the artwork, Harold said, “My inspiration was listed out, relating it to the Year of Jubilee, and then I narrowed it down to the Holy Spirit, the Tree of Life, reconciliation, and looking to Jesus.”
Harold said all of these elements played a role. “Fr Gerard liked all four themes and asked me to fit them into two, layering the meanings visually. I really liked the idea, even though it wasn’t easy, but I knew it could be done.”
He shared that the first piece, characterised by circular shapes, evokes the parting of the Red Sea, as seen through the eyes of children.
“Under the tree in the first book of the Bible was where it all began with Adam and Eve. This is where the circular shapes are used, like the fruit.”
He added that children shared with him that the artwork told them the story of Moses leading people, the parting of the Red Sea. “I find it interesting that the children see it this way and that it would mean more to others,” Harold describes. While the second piece, reminiscent of the Last Supper to parishioners, features Jesus at the centre with 14 people around him, symbolising unity and reconciliation with God.
“When you take a closer look, there are seven people on each side; the additional two are Adam and Eve standing with the disciples. To be reconciled and go back to God is the message to share here,” he explains.
The vibrant colours of the murals resemble stained glass, complementing the church’s aesthetic.
Having this artwork displayed at the cathedral, he said, is the proudest moment of his life, a pinnacle in his art journey, and a dream come true. “It makes me feel that I see my presence in the church. I see a sense of belonging in the community,” Harold says.
The collaborative effort with his students, who contributed their brush strokes, adds to the artwork’s significance. Harold expresses gratitude for his students’ dedication and their participation in this extracurricular activity.
“The students who helped me on it, their efforts and brush strokes are there, and everyone is looking at it. I am truly grateful to God for the opportunity, and I also thank Fr Gerard and my students for doing extracurricular activities outside of school time,” he shares.
Through his artwork, Harold hopes to inspire the church community to come together as one family.
“I think this is an opportunity for others to get to know me and a message for all of us to get to know each other. Very often, most of us are in the same parish, but we do not know who sits beside us. I feel that as a community, we must be connected to those who we celebrate mass together with,” he reflects.
Harold’s murals not only beautify the cathedral but also serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity and community.
“We may all be different, but we are united in Christ, just like the artwork showing many different colours but everyone looking to Christ,” he emphasises.
His tribute art to the Jubilee Year of Hope is a testament to the power of creativity in uniting a community and a reminder that we are all part of a larger, interconnected family.
The Cathedral of St John, one of the pilgrimage sites for the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, now proudly displays Harold’s murals.
The two artworks stand as symbols of hope, faith, and the incredible potential of bringing people together through art. Harold Klemp Antony’s work is a gift to the parish and a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
