TRANSLOCALITY NAJIB AHMAD BAMADHAJ KHAIRUL IZHAM HAFIDZ SHABRI
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TAKSU is a leading contemporary art gallery and specialist in Southeast Asia. Representing selections of fine art with distinctive urban edge, we are at the forefront of contemporary art in this region. TAKSU works to forge a platform for established and emerging artists to share their pool of creativity and knowledge through its residency programs and exhibitions. Encapsulating the true meaning of the word TAKSU; divine inspiration, energy, and spirit.
This publication may be reproduced in any form for academic, editorial and/or non-commercial purposes without special permission from the artist(s) and gallery, with acknowledgement of the source. For other purposes, prior consent is needed.
Suherwan Abu Director, TAKSU Galleries
Artworks & Images Š 2013 Participating Artists
Project Consultant Audrey Phng / Asian Art Options Graphic Design Jeffrey Lim / Studio 25
The Translocality series is a collaborative exhibition by three young Malaysian artists: Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj, Khairul Izham and Hafidz Shabri. The sense of Translocality, in this context, does not actually perpetuate the idea of a physical change in geographical allocation. The concept of Translocality unravels to become a common language amongst the trio and the inherent in the paintings presented. The imageries incites one to perceive the disparate landscapes of modern age, in juxtaposition to a historical past seemingly forgotten. The works by our young Malaysian artists illustrates and serves as a nostalgic marker for the memory of a land and its history, in order to understand urbanity backwards. 1
TRANSLOCALITY NAJIB AHMAD BAMADHAJ KHAIRUL IZHAM HAFIDZ SHABRI
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foreword
OCBC Bank’s thriving appreciation and ties with the local arts scene goes back 17 years. Since 1995, we have proudly partnered and supported the local arts scene through our OCBC Arts Platinum MasterCard, sponsoring performances and events by local groups like the Singapore Lyric Opera, Act 3 International and The Necessary Stage. Recognizing our outstanding support, the National Arts Council awarded us the Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award in 2012 for the 14th time.
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In 2012, we decided to do even more to grow the local arts scene. Early last year, we actively pursued opportunities to promote the works of both local and regional artists. In a bold first initiative, we invited tr853-1 (Traseone), a renowned Singaporean graffiti artist, to revamp the external façade of our Sixth Avenue branch. As customers were greatly inspired by our use of art within branches, we subsequently launched the OCBC Arts Space at our Centre Branch’s banking hall last October. Through it, we offered customers a platform to enjoy visually-captivating pieces by local and regional creative talents within our premises.
It is our deepest pleasure to present “Translocality”, OCBC’s second Art Space exhibition. Curated by TAKSU, one of Southeast Asia’s leading contemporary art specialists, the “Translocality” series is a collaborative exhibition by three promising Malaysian artists, Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj, Khairul Izham and Hafidz Shabri. In their own eclectic styles, each artist seeks to incite visitors to revisit the remembered history of certain locations, shedding new light and meaning towards our present understanding of urbanity. Please enjoy. Ching Wei Hong Chief Operating Officer OCBC Bank
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TRANSLOCALITY NAJIB AHMAD BAMADHAJ KHAIRUL IZHAM HAFIDZ SHABRI
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translocality
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj (b. 1987, Johor, Malaysia) describes the concept of painting on a wall with his canvas pieces. The wall becomes the main image, whereas the subject on the surface is the secondary image. The themes that reside in his works is one of endangerment of creatures and in this series, the displacement of the animals presented in the cityscapes of our current reality.
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Najib completed his Diploma in Fine Art from UiTM Melaka in 2008, followed by B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art (Sculpture) from UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2010. To date, Najib had participated in numerous group exhibitions and he was also the Finalist of MRCB Art Awards at National Art Gallery KL (2008), 1st Price Winner in Tanjong Heritage Art Competition in Kuala Lumpur (2010), and Finalist of VAA in Kuala Lumpur (2011). Najib currently lives and works in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Silent Journey mixed media on canvas 153 x 275 cm / 2013
najib ahmad bamadhaj
Survival Series mixed media on jute 122 x 183 cm / 2013
translocality
Survival Series 2 mixed media on jute 122 x 183 cm / 2013
najib ahmad bamadhaj
Survival Series 3 mixed media on jute 153 x 183 cm / 2013
translocality
Survival Series 4 mixed media on jute 153 x 183 cm / 2013
najib ahmad bamadhaj
Survival Series 6 mixed media on jute 61.5 x 183 cm / 2013 Survival Series 1 mixed media on jute 61 x 183 cm / 2013
Survival Series 7 mixed media on jute 61.5 x 183 cm / 2013
translocality
najib ahmad bamadhaj
Survival Series 8 mixed media on jute 91.5 x 91.5 cm / 2013
translocality
Survival Series 9 mixed media on jute 91.5 x 91.5 cm / 2013
translocality
Khairul Izham (b. 1985, Maran, Pahang, Malaysia) approaches broad subjects of past and memories with complex layering and conscious masking, leaving the audience with residue from the process of recollection. Much like the incomprehensible quality of the mind in the department of memory and forgetting, it invokes the viewer to observe the whole and the finer shreds of the composition in order to conceive the construct of one’s memory. Khairul graduated with B.A. of Fine Arts (Painting) from UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysia. Some of his recent shows include: Malaysian Emerging Artist Award (2011), Deceitful Truths (2011), Dischromatic (2010). Khairul lives and works in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 14
left; My Wonderland 1 mixed media on canvas 143 x 154 cm / 2013 above; Golden Dreams mixed media on canvas 122 x 122 cm / 2013 right; Pagi Senja mixed media on canvas 110 x 143 cm / 2013
khairul izham
Kaloi mixed media on canvas 106 x 137 cm / 2012
translocality
Too Far Away mixed media on canvas 110 x 143 cm / 2013
khairul izham
Cermin mixed media on canvas 106 x 137 cm / 2012
translocality
Kuda Kuda mixed media on canvas 106 x 137 cm / 2012
khairul izham
Kuda Kayu mixed media on canvas 138 x 138 cm / 2012
translocality
Knock Knock acrylic on canvas 120 x 130 cm / 2013
translocality
Hafidz Shabri (b. 1987, Selangor, Malaysia) constructs his ideas based on the modernisation of Malaysian traditions, which signifies changes in the way of life, culturally and economically. In order to move forward, lifestyle differences alters human thinking and perception with the present life setting. In his pieces, depth plays a major part in perspective to give the illusion that movement has been made through that course of time. Hafidz proposes that depth brings warmth to the community but only to be overwhelmed and lost by urbanizations, leaving the viewer dazed, numb and most imperatively, alone.
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Where Is Everybody mixed media on canvas 152.4 x 213.4 cm / 2013
hafidz shabri
Comfort Zone mixed media on canvas 122 x 122 cm / 2013
translocality
Up mixed media on canvas 182.9 x 152.4 cm / 2013
hafidz shabri
One Step Between There And Here mixed media on canvas 153 x 183 cm / 2013
translocality
Just Passing Through mixed media on canvas 153 x 183 cm / 2013
hafidz shabri
After Shiroskuro mixed media on canvas 153 x 183 cm / 2013
translocality
One Night Between You And Me mixed media on canvas 153 x 183 cm / 2013
hafidz shabri
One Step Closer 1 mixed media on canvas 51 x 183 cm / 2013
One Step Closer 2 mixed media on canvas 51 x 183 cm / 2013
One Step Closer 3 mixed media on canvas 51 x 183 cm / 2013
One Step Closer 4 mixed media on canvas 51 x 183 cm / 2013
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Special thanks to OCBC Bank for their passionate support of the arts community The exhibition is presented by OCBC Arts Card, organized by TAKSU, and supported by Asian Art Options.
Acknowledgement: Project Consultant Audrey Phng / Asian Art Options
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