najib ahmad bamadhaj
endangered
endangered / mixed media on canvas / 150 x 214 cm / 2011
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj 1 9 87
awa r d s a n d a c h i e v e m e n t s 2011 Finalist, Visual Art Award 2011 Starhill Gallery, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur e d u c at i o n 2010 Consolation Prize Winner 2010 Bachelor (Hons.) Fine Art Majoring in Painting “Expressions of the Malayan Tiger” Art Competition UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor Maybank Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur 2008 Diploma in Fine Art UiTM Lendu Vice Chancellor’s Awards Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art Alor Gajah, Melaka UiTM Shah Alam 1st Class Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art UiTM Shah Alam selected group exhibitions 1st Prize (Mix Media) Tanjong Heritage Art 2011 Endangered (2 Man Show) TAKSU Kuala Lumpur Competition, Kuala Lumpur Visual Art Award (VAA) 2011 Starhill Gallery 1st Prize Winner Nando’s, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur Kicking-Off with Art & Soul Open House 2011 Galeri Chandan, Kuala Lumpur One Utama Shopping Centre, Damansara Utama Kalam Galeri Chandan, Kuala Lumpur Dean’s List Awards Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art Anniversary Show Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Semester 06, UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor Signs, Symbols & Icons (3 Man Show) 2009 2nd Place Open Johor Art Competition Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur Johor Art Gallery, Johor Pulp Friction Galeri Chandan, Kuala Lumpur Consolation Prize Winner (2D Hanging Display) Private Affairs Galeri Chandan, Kuala Lumpur The Art of Recycling The Nando’s Way, NN Gallery, KL LiFest MAP @ Publika, Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur Dean’s List Awards Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art 2010 Dis-Chromatic Small Talk With The Moon Semester 05 & 04, UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor Petaling Jaya, Selangor 2008 Dean’s List Awards Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art Expressions of the Malayan Tiger Semester 03, UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor Maybank Art Gallery, Maybank Tower, KL Finalist (Open Category), MRCB Art Awards Tanjong Heritage Sri Melayu Restaurant National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur Ampang, Kuala Lumpur Best Graduate of UiTM Melaka Pra Graduate Award HIMPUN Peti Seni @ National Art Gallery, KL Equatorial Hotel, Melaka RIYAD Al-Ilm ‘Garden of Knowledge’ Best Graduate of Faculty Art & Design UiTM Melaka Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur Pra Graduate Award, Equatorial Hotel, Melaka Conform Three Sixty Art Development Studio Best Graduate of Programmed in Fine Art Department Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka Degree Show: LOAD FSSR Dean’s List Awards Diploma in Fine Art UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor Semester 06, UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka Nando’s, Kicking-Off With Art & Soul 2007 2nd Prize Art Competition, Melaka TYT Action One Utama Shopping Centre, Damansara Utama Portrait, UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka 2009 Young Art R A Fine Arts, Kuala Lumpur Dean’s List Awards Diploma in Fine Art Belief Three Sixty Art Development Studio Semester 04 & 05 UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur 2006 Dean’s List Awards Diploma in Fine Art, Semester 02 Open Johor Art Competition UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka Johor Art Gallery, Johor 2003 Best Student in Art Subject The Art of Recycling The Nando’s Way Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, Muar, Johor NN Gallery, Kuala Lumpur Open Show Shah Alam Gallery Shah Alam, Selangor 2008 Pallete The Gallery @ Starhill, Star Hill Gallery, KL Diploma Show Tengku Nur Zahirah Gallery UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor Diploma Show Art Gallery All rights reserved. No part of this brochure may be UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, Nando’s, Peri-fy Your Art NN Gallery, KL electronically, including photocopy, recording or any 2007 Antara Merdeka National Art Gallery, KL information storage and retrieval system, without the prior Melaka TYT Action Portrait consent from the artists and gallery. UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka Brochure © 2011 TAKSU Kuala Lumpur Artworks & Images © 2011 Hirzaq Harris & Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj
previous page; lifeless / mixed media on canvas / 183 x 122 cm / 2011 above; extinction / mixed media on canvas / 150 x 214 cm / 2011
missing koala / mixed media on canvas / 78 x 224 cm / 2011
vanishing / mixed media on canvas / 107 x 107 cm / 2011
A R T I S T ’ S S TAT E M E N T There have been a lot of changes and developments in terms of writings, exhibitions and art critiques throughout the observation of the art scene. From the normal practice of making the artwork itself, and its interpretation on lifestyle, social and culture that surrounds the artist, it can be determined as important quality in appreciating an artwork. These changes are clearly influenced by the developments in exploration of contemporary artworks which focus more on pluralistic, multi-dimension, multi-media and multi-techniques. The rejection of conventional artworks which were applied and based on certain styles, movements and ideologies, has been widely accepted. Even though style, which applies as “evidence” in which referring to the time and place factors in defining artworks, a significant quality in determining the artist’s skills, is no longer important. It is necessary to mention that, style is not just a significant characteristic representing artists, but it is also a visual communication where it conveys meaning and can be shared, understood and delivered to the viewers. Style also tells us the environment that surrounds the artist, as well as values and heritage. Nevertheless, ignoring styles does not limit artists in creating their masterpiece. The existence of latest technologies, scientific knowledge, way of thinking and reactions to the surroundings, social values, cultures, politics and even spiritual has given opportunities to young artists to explore various approaches in their artworks. It clearly has changed the perspective of approaching the creations of artworks. The diversity of subjects, Medias and techniques can be seen as new developments that create new dimension which pushes the boundaries of conventional principals and opens up new perspective of creativity, that sometimes confusing and hard to interpret. For writers and critics, these can be seen as part of a whole new approach in experiencing the creative process of an artist. It can be a challenge for them in order to observe, understand, analysis, interpreting and explain them to the public. In this scenario, the artist’s statement is probably an important point and can be a guide or starting point for writers and critics in order to discuss and analyze the artworks. Based on the artist’s statement, writers and critics can open up new opportunities in the process of observing,interpreting and explaining the meanings.Clearly,writers and critics play an important role as messengers to fill the gaps for viewers and readers to fully understand the artworks. Not only the writers and critics face the obvious questions but also unanswered questions of more subtle and deeper interpretations through the visuals. In this situation, the artist’s role prior to their works is important because they’re the closest to the answers that lie behind the questions. Every possible creative process determines the course of the artworks and how they convey messages, and they’re part of the artist’s responsibility as a storyteller. Every obstacles and problems faced by the artist are actually the background for any possible outcomes of their artworks. The artist’s statement becomes more important as the starting point in observing and understanding the intentions and messages that are being conveyed. These are excerpts from two young artists featured in this showcase: “My artwork describes the concept of a wall, which is translated with paint on canvas. The wall is used as the main image whilst the subject on the surface as the secondary image” (Najib Ahmad. 2011) and: “I have always admired the intricacies and details in art and it is apparent in my work. The fine precision of lines and meticulous techniques applied illustrates my influence, thus becomes the discerning quality of my works. It is interesting to observe the juxtaposition in my art between detailing and the subject matter” (Hirzaq Harris.2011) as references. These are two different statements from two different artists, united together in the same exhibition. Why the writer did choose those two statements? What message that the writer intends to reach the readers?
AWA N G D A M I T A H M A D P A N T A U I R A G A Adapting these statements into this article may seems not fair but at least it can give clearer picture, a brief view of what they are trying to say through their works. The original idea of the artists themselves is the main resource in analyzing the next batch of works. It gives us reference for not to discuss based solely on our accordance. It’s not just the analysis and observation with personal conclusions with what presented in front of them, but writers also has to look into readers’ expectation and consider their own point of views. The artists are fine art graduates from the University of Technology Mara and just finished their courses a few years back. Their active involvement in art and frequent features in several showcases, has probably teaches them one or two, and be more experienced artists, exploring new approaches in terms of concepts. Even though they both separated from two different disciplines, Najib from the painting major and Hazriq is a disciple of sculpture, they both proved that an infusion of two different mediums in visual is essential. The only difference is the shape, media and technique. Let’s get back to the main point of this article, by looking at Najib’s statement about his work. He explained to us about the infusion of two images, a wall as primary image and other icons as the secondary, in a single composition. The two different planes appeared to be separated by applying a two dimensional smooth plane. The rejection of perspective renders his artwork as simple plain but active with elements of plait and gestural lines. Clearly the importance of the wall as the main attraction has given a thorough touch, whilst the icons are applied as to stand out from the wall. This is probably where the questions about his statement take place. It raise the debating questions of whether the icons or the wall is the main focus, because the icons are too strong, obviously overwhelming the space. At some points, the icons and images are fully absorbed into the background wall, whilst others looked deliberately being floated using white outer lines. According to the concept of wall mentioned earlier by him, it is obviously similar from the ancient cave paintings and street graffiti, which are being presented as important ideas. The most interesting part is, the work of this artist seems to reject the existence of his own personal traits. The time effect is being shown through lines, faded color splashes that reminds of past experiences. The mixture of ideas, skilled techniques, composition, space, media and his diligent efforts should be looked into and given a place in the developments of the current art scene. On the other hand, by observing Hirzaq’s works, it can be concluded that the viewers can feel the observation of his experience of drawn to details and complexity. Fine lines with sophisticated techniques always co-exist in his artworks. The existence of perfect infusion between the outer images and elements of fine drawing and details, invite the viewers to analyze it up close. The composition is a little bit bland with certain icons borrowed from other sources. There is also a separation of formats with horizontal and vertical color lines. He applies minimum colors brilliantly to give space to images and reveals details and the complexity of the technique. In his latest works, the new format indicates his transition from a dimension to another. Various subjects derived from different backgrounds used boldly, inviting viewers to discuss even with limited experience. Tracking the development of their works recently has been a quite a challenge. There are a lot of factors that cannot be discussed. Let’s hope the analysis of these two’s artworks could give more perspective to the audience in terms of visual messages. Let it be a bridge that connects artist, work of arts and viewers. In this context, artists’ statement is the main giveaway about the artists’ works. With showcases like this, it can open up new place to contemporary works to fill the gaps of culture. It can be concluded that artworks, artists and viewers is a tight bond.These two artists will always show potential and promised a bright future.Wallahhu a’lam.
connective / mixed media on canvas / 102 x 206 cm / 2011
Hirzaq Harris 1 9 8 7 e d u c at i o n 2008 B.A.(Hons) in Fine Art (sculpture) Faculty of Art & Design, UiTM Shah Alam 2005 Diploma in Fine Art Faculty of Art & Design UiTM Melaka awa r d s 2010 2nd Prize Winner MAYBANK art competition Expression of the Malayan Tiger Balai Seni Maybank, Kuala Lumpur GRAND PRIZE Winner (2D Hanging Display) of Nando’s Art Competition Nando’s, Kicking-Off with Art & Soul One Utama Shopping Centre 2009 GRAND PRIZE Winner (2D Hanging Display) Nando’s Art Competition, NN Gallery 2008 10 Honorable Mention MRCB Art Award Open Category, National Art Gallery, KL
17 Jalan Pawang 54000 Kuala Lumpur T +603 4251 4396 F +603 4251 4331 kl@taksu.com www.taksu.com Opening Hours Monday to Saturday 10am – 6pm Closed on Sundays Essay Awang Damit Ahmad Photography AbZahri Photography Catalog Design Jeffrey Lim / Studio 25 Printer Unico Services
group exhibition Local and international group exhibition in Malaysia and Cambodia selected exhibitions 2011 Endangered (2 Man Show) TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur 3 men show China House Gallery, Penang Open House Chandan Gallery Chandan, KL KALIMAH show Gallery Chandan, KL Anniversary Show 2011 Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya Signs, Symbols & Icons 3 men show Gallery Chandan PULP Friction, Going Across the Grain Gallery Chandan, KL Private Affairs: (Figures, Nudes and Secret Desires) Gallery Chandan, KL LiFest YOKUK MAP @ Publika, Dutamas, KL DIS-CHROMATIC Group Show Small Talk With the Moon, Petaling Jaya MAYBANK Art Competition Expressions of the Malayan Tiger Balai Seni Maybank, Kuala Lumpur TANAH AIR KU by Galeri Chandan Rendition of Malaysia through the Eyes of 12 Artist Malaysia Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia ARTRINGLE (House of MATAHATI) Balai Seni Lukis Negara, Kuala Lumpur Conform threehundredsixty gallery, Kuala Lumpur EARTH hour ‘Nature’, ZINC art space, KL RIYARD al ilm Gallery Chandan, Kuala Lumpur MEKAR CITRA Galeri Shah Alam & Seniman‘Merdeka’ Nando’s Art Competition, GRAND PRIZE Winner 2D Hanging Display Open Shah Alam Gallery Shah Alam, Selangor Degree Show ‘LOAD’ UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor 2009 Nando’s Art Competition, GRAND PRIZE Winner 2D Hanging Display MRCB Art Award, 10 Honorable Mention Open category, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur 2008 Nature Galeri Seni Tengku Nur Zahirah UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor Diploma Show ‘Nature’ Galeri Seni UiTM, Melaka 2007 Exhibition ‘TYT’ Day’ Portrait Galeri Seni UiTM, Melaka Eyes of Langkawi Photography Galeri Seni UiTM, Melaka
previous page; malaya / mixed media on canvas / 122 x 132 cm / 2011 above; northern nigeria / mixed media on canvas / 108 x 92 cm / 2011 next page; labuan postage / mixed media on canvas / 108 x 91 cm / 2011
right; wartax mixed media on canvas 98 x 113.5 cm / 2011 next page above; garuda i mixed media on canvas 90 x 256 cm / 2011 next page below; garuda ii mixed media on canvas 90 x 256 cm / 2011
hirzaq harris
endangered