Coffee and canvases: Uncle Fie turns Shah Alam cafe into art gallery

AT first, customers may simply stop by to enjoy a cup of coffee, but the abstract paintings decorating Warunk Koffie can spark their curiosity about the world of art.

This is the experience painter Azriff Abu Noh, 60, fondly known as Uncle Fie, hopes to create by turning his cafe into a space where people can view, ask questions about and discover art in a relaxed setting.

“Uncle wants art to be more accessible. Not everyone is used to visiting art galleries, so Uncle likes the idea of people being able to see and appreciate art as part of their everyday experience,” he told Sinar Harian.

Azriff said the idea came from his desire to turn his cafe into a personal art gallery to introduce the art style to visitors.

He is also delighted when visitors show an interest in his paintings, including those who have had little or no exposure to abstract art.

“For Uncle, that kind of experience is already meaningful. At least they take the time to get to know the artwork,” he said.

Warunk Koffie grew out of Wood & Steel Design, a custom furniture business founded by Azriff that offers modern wood-and-metal designs for residential and commercial spaces.

The idea of combining the custom furniture business with a cafe was later brought to life with his two sons, Adam, 32, and Ierfan, 34, who have experience in the creative industry and coffee business.

The concept brings food, beverages, furniture and art together in one space, with the displayed items also available for purchase.

Azriff, who is the grandson of renowned artist the late Abdullah Ariff, said he never knew his grandfather personally, but the stories shared by family members have continued to inspire him.

He said continuing his grandfather's legacy did not mean producing artwork in the same style, but rather carrying that inspiration forward while developing his own identity as a painter.

“No matter how different our styles may be, my grandfather will always be an inspiration and Uncle is proud to carry a part of his legacy forward,” he said.

Azriff, who is the grandson of renowned artist the late Abdullah Ariff, said he never knew his grandfather personally, but the stories shared by family members have continued to inspire him.

He said continuing his grandfather’s legacy did not mean producing artwork in the same style, but rather carrying that inspiration forward while developing his own identity as a painter.

“No matter how different our styles may be, my grandfather will always be an inspiration and Uncle is proud to carry a part of his legacy forward,” he said.

For the record, Abdullah Ariff was born in Penang in 1904 and is regarded as a forerunner of watercolour painting in Malaysia, alongside fellow artist Yong Mun Sen.

A 2006 book published by Balai Seni Lukis Negara carries the title “Abdullah Ariff – Father of Modern Art In Malaysia”. 

Self-taught, he later taught art at the Anglo-Chinese School in Penang. He and Yong were the only two local members of the Penang Impressionists, a club otherwise made up of Europeans. 

In 1947 he worked as a cartoonist for the Straits Echo in Kuala Lumpur and later held solo exhibitions in the United States. A road in Air Itam, Penang, is named after him.