Four Fantastic
Four Fantastic Catalogue Design: Martin Bradley Writer:Martin Bradley Exhibition curators: Martin Bradley, Honey Bradley Director: Patrice Vallette Published in 2015 by Vallette Gallery Vallette Gallery 22 jalan Bruas Damansara Heights Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan info@vallettegallery.com Contact: Patrice Vallette T: +60 (19)301 2569 vallette@vallettegallery.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Copyright Š 2015 Sponsored by
Four Fantastic
foreword Vallette Gallery is proud to present four fresh, energetic, young Malaysian artists working in styles which both capture their abounding energy, and reveal fresh insights to an eager public. Together they are Four Fantastic, individual yet together, a quartet of virtuosi originally brought together by a love of skateboarding which blossomed into both friendships and artistic collaborations. Four Fantastic, brothers of the board, chums of the canvas, are Ahmad Fauzan bin Fuad, Abdul Aziz bin Yusof, Donald Abraham and Mohd Anuar bin Mustapa. Their styles defeat all normalised Malaysian interpretations of ‘Art’ but, suffice to say, Four Fantastic’s artworks seethe with tokens unconsciously influenced by Western visual counter-cultures, yet brought stunningly into Malaysia’s 21st century, to astound the gallery visitor. In their art, Four Fantastic revel in impressions of ‘Underground’ comic books, of sleek skate board designs and striking street art. The works at Vallette Gallery are, at one and the same time, quite distinct from those mentioned, despite nuances engendered from previous decades. In Four Fantastic works are innuendoes of the American artists, perhaps recalling Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Intimations too of Charles Burn’s iconic twisted comic book art, but there is also a dazzling Malaysian freshness bringing an incandescent vivacity to a perennially jaded Fine Art world. Of the Four Fantastic young artists, perhaps Donald Abraham is the best known. His work has been seen in Vallette Gallery before, 4 4
his intriguing murals dressing walls at mapKL Publika, and in the KLCC tunnel, Balai Seni Visual Kuala Lumpur and at Nestlé. Donald Abraham’s work has been auctioned at Henry Butcher and shown by a variety of galleries at home and abroad. Ahmad Fauzan bin Fuad’s painterly artistry has perhaps more in common with the British artist David Hockney’s work, circa 1960, than of the more macabre works of Jean-Michel Basquiat. In both British and Malaysian artist, painterly abstractions blend with skilfully laid text in very mature Post Modern dialogues. Mohd Anuar bin Mustapa and Azar Osman experiment with a mystical, intuitive, line work, frequently investing scenes with a complex ‘otherness’ which delights and disturbs in equal measures, like those of American artist Keith Haring, or the strangely psychedelic figures by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Arms spring from houses, turrets spring from arms in a Haringesque world which also seems to evoke Heinz Edelmann's world, manifested in the Yellow Submarine (Beatles’) animation. In that no art is new, and all art has had its foundations laid either from nature, or from other art, skateboard and street art is no exception. Those forms had their foundations firmly laid in the bedrock of underground comics and related iconography of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Only back then it was all about surfboards, not skateboards. Underground comic artists Rick Griffin, Jim Evans and Robert
Ahmad Fauzan bin Fuad Azar Osman
Donald Abraham
Mohd Anuar bin Mustapa
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Crumb all were associated with surfing, its magazines and its love of comic books. From surfing and comic books grew vibrant, energetic artistic styles which soon blossomed across the burgeoning countercultures of the time, to envelop surf board decoration, surfing apparel and casual clothing, as well as gracing surf magazines and yet more counter-culture comic books. Towards the end of the 1970s, two prominent names emerged from out of a more prolific ‘street’ counter-culture. Jean-Michel Basquiat, a former graffiti artist, was shot to fame by an article in America’s The Village Voice newspaper and, a few years later, Keith Haring. Haring, a graffiti artist was, by 1982, beginning to gain attention for his unique linear style. Both artists were recognised by a maturing art world, galleries and collectors, with thanks to inroads made by previously by Pop artists, including figures like Andy Warhol. Like Four Fantastic, Basquiat and Haring were propelled into the world of fine art galleries, and of collectors. They gained much plaudits, attention of the media and the attention of avid collectors, who now must pay seven figure sums for those artist’s early artworks. The link between Basquiat, Haring and Four Fantastic is made stronger with the knowledge that Basquiat’s and Haring’s most famous works can now be seen on limited edition American skateboards. In 1987, Haring painted a skateboard ramp, in Kansas, while travelling to visit William Burroughs. In the 2000s the renown and elusive Banksy, skateboard and wall artist supreme, continues to spread his 6
anti-establishment messages across the world and ultimately into respectable acceptability too. The world had become increasingly conscious of new art forms, often arising, seemingly spontaneously, from enthusiastic young artists like Malaysia’s Four Fantastic, many of whom have gained inspiration and experience from the practise of street art. The barriers are down. A hungry art world now recognises the vivacity, energy and artistry of young artists across the world. Their artworks, like the surfing arts and skateboard art before them, have spread their energies across both counter and mainstream culture. Those works are now appreciated for the freshness they works bring to a potentially jaded world of fine art. It is in this spirit that the four young Malaysian artists work, and are beginning to emerge as exciting new talents, destined for greater things. These artist’s works are no longer ‘Street Art”, but work produced by creative people who have progressed from being ‘Street Artists’. They are artists who have ‘translated’ their ideas, and sensitivities, into an art which can be appreciated off the street, in gallery and museum settings, rather than simply reproducing art created on the street. Martin Bradley, Kuala Lumpur, 2015
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Welcome …. Vallette Gallery is a ground-breaking forum for contemporary art; presenting works of emerging young artists or international artists whose work has been shown seldom or never been seen before. Viewers of contemporary art curated exhibitions have increased during the recent years, as general responsiveness and attention to contemporary art has advanced in Malaysia and overseas. As a result, Vallette Gallery works closely with a strong network of curators, art collectors and institutions from all over the world. Vallette Gallery is a living process, developing relationships between artists and art lovers. This creates and increases the value of art in all its senses. Vallette Gallery is proud to present four fresh, energetic, young Malaysian artists working in styles which both capture their abounding energy, and reveal fresh insights to an eager public. Together they are “Four Fantastic “, individual yet together, a quartet of virtuosi originally brought together by a love of skateboarding, which had blossomed into both friendships and artistic collaborations.”The four fantastic “are Ahmad Fauzan bin Fuad , Azar Osman, Donald Abraham and Mohd Anuar bin Mustapa. Stylistically, it could be said that the works presented defeat all normal interpretations of Malaysian Fine Art, but suffice to say that “Four Fantastic’s “ artworks have distinct tones of Western visual counter-cultures, stemming from previous decades as well as a unique unconventionality, distinct and apart from all contemporaries. We would like to thank our Curator (writer and designer) Martin Bradley and Curator Honey Bradley for their commitment and hard work in supporting the Vallette Gallery project. Patrice Vallette Founder & Director
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Ahmad Fauzan bin Fuad
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Ahmad Fauzan bin Fuad Fauzan has graduated from skateboard painting, to mural painting (in Penang with Urban Xchange) to using materials better adapted to galley environments, like canvas. A self-taught artist, most of his works are expressions of him living life ensconced in his world view. Those eyes. These people. These subjects and his experiences convey his choices and decisions in life and work, and the intent to share his experience with the viewer / participant.
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MALAS modelling paste/acrylic on canvas 35cm x 45cm 2014
STATE SESSION coffee/acrylic/charcoal on canvas 90cm x 90cm 2014
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TONGKAP DIA/ CATCH 2 acrylic for skateboards on canvas 2014
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UNTITLED acrylic/charcoal/pencil on canvas 90cm x 120cm 2014
UNTITLED coffee/acrylic/charcoal on canvas 90cm x 120cm 2014
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TONGKAP DIA/ CATCH acrylic for skateboards on canvas 2014
NASI LEMAK paper/coins/paint palette mounted on found board 90cm x 123cm 2014
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RAIN POEM coffee/acrylic/pencil on canvas 90cm x 120cm 2014
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UNTITLED acrylic/charcoal/pencil on canvas 90cm x 120cm 2014
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Azar Osman
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Azar Osman Describes himself as a selftaught artist and a full-time dreamer, ‘Orkibal’ is a man with a mission. He aims to bridge the gap between GRAPHIC DESIGN and fine art through his illustrations. His bright signature cartoon characters are reflections of his inspirations, philosophies and viewpoint on life. Orkibal’s works find their homes not only in newspapers but also take the form of murals and three- dimensional objects.
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CIICAK HIJAU acrylic on canvas 30cm x 30cm 2014
IMAGINARY FRIEND acrylic on canvas 120cm x 120cm 2014
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NOT MY HAND acrylic on canvas 30cm x 3cm 2014
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BLACKIE ORAL SA KA acrylic on canvas 30cm x 3cm 2014
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OH THE MOON acrylic on canvas 30cm x 3cm 2014
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SAD YELLOW BOY acrylic on canvas 30cm x 3cm 2014
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Donald Abraham
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Donald Abraham Donald has become something of a local star amongst the ‘street’ fraternity. A muralist, skater and now an accomplished watercolour and acrylic media artist, as well as printer, Donald champions a style which has roots in popular culture, but has broken out into the arts mainstream. The street is still in his work, influences from Ed Templeton and Mark Gonzales, but other things are there too in his adult cartoons and his complex canvases.
DOG VIEW watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
DEATH VIEW watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
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FREEDOM LAND watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
LOCAL HERO watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
DOG FLASH watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
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ORANG JAHAT watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
HAHAHA watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
HEART watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
STAY-STAY watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
ROLL watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
SLAVE 2 watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
TV watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
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SLAVE watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
KK SCENE watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
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EVERY WAY watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
JENTERA 2 KAKI watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
SHES watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
BAD BUG watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
PEROMPAK VIEW watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
SONGKOK BERAPI watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
HES watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
VOTE ‘N’ ISAP watercolour 21cm x 30cm 2014
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TIADA IDEA ADA WALL acrylic on canvas 2013
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KEPOMPONG acrylic on canvas 2013
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FLICKER acrylic on canvas 2013
ROCKET SPACE AND MOON acrylic on canvas 2013
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UNTITLED acrylic on canvas 2013
Mohd Anuar bin Mustapa
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Mohd Anuar bin Mustapa Better known by friends as Black. His first foray into drawing was mainly contributed to growing up in the 80s where video games and the cartoons on TV were the main source of his creativity. Then came the 90s, and a love for graphic novels and comics. He was commissioned to paint a mural for the National Art Gallery, this has been a big boost to his career as a promising young artist no longer working on the ‘streets’ but engaged in developing his artistic career.
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LAVINIA FONTANA PORTRAIT OF A NOBLEMAN mixed media on canvas 45cm x 55cm 2014
UNTITLED mixed media on canvas 130cm x 160cm 2014
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UNTITLED mixed media on canvas 45cm x 55cm 2014
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UNTITLED mixed media on canvas 152cm x 243cm 2014
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CLOSE TO ME mixed media on canvas 90cm x 90cm 2014
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