Scarlette Lee Neo Baroque A Malaysian Reinterpretation

Background Late Renaissance. Caravaggio evolved quickly PROJECT TEAM from his dominant Mannerist trained background In the recent years, there has been a growing and came to create his very own signature CURATOR/WRITER concern within the art ecosystem regarding the style that incorporates chiaroscuro, dramatic Scarlette Lee lack of appreciation and understanding on the contrast between light and dark, and tenebrism, value of art history. The discipline of art history intensifying the contrast into dark ambience About Us CATALOGUE DESIGN is crucial because it promotes critical thinking scenes with some spot highly lit as if by a spotlight. Hawa Basery within visual art makers in drawing conclusions, His theatrical drama like paintings along with his Core Design Gallery is an interpreting and evaluating different artworks radical realism and macabre subjects became exclusive boutique art gallery that PHOTOGRAPHY Puah Chin Kok that may beneficial in the career development an influence to many subsequent Baroque artists represents the face of Malaysian and also the many generations of artists to come. contemporary artists and their of an artist. However in this era of internet age; cutting edge artworks. a world filled with millions of visuals that allows First published in Malaysia in 2018 almost immediate access for contemporary visual As we time travel to the twenty-first century year With its main philosophy of holding Core Design Gallery Sdn Bhd makers to copy or even regurgitate fashionable 2009, Ali Nurazmal Yusoff started imitating and major shows that have critical 87, Jalan SS15/2A Subang Jaya imageries, resulting in the lack of critical thinking created a parody of Caravaggio’s The Cardsharps values and museum qualities, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia process which is crucial in the search of a self- by extending the work to place himself as part of Core Design Gallery aims to identity. the composition. It was an interesting event that create massive awareness on prompted him to imitate Caravaggio, the artist the significance of Malaysian http://malaysiacontemporaryart.coredesigngallery.com Neo Baroque- A Malaysian Reinterpretation is was told by a collector that he can only paint contemporary art through solid naive or comic-like paintings, unlike his peers who art management and important premised on the anecdotal evidence that there publications. 2019 © Core Design Gallery is an intimate relationship in understanding art are considered true figurative artists in the eyes All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be history, interpreting it and making art. Artists who of this collector. In retaliation to this unfounded The gallery is committed to reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, are in formative stages of their identity should also statement, Ali Nurazmal Yusoff decided to hone his promoting and developing the electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, be able to study the content, narrative as well as skills by creating a painting that can symbolically artists to achieve international or any other inform-ation storage and retrieval system, without the formalistic approaches during Baroque era represent itself as masterpiece to the eyes of the prior permission in writing from the publisher. standard and global recognition yet using the form of contemporary visual art to audience. Subsequently after researching, he felt for their quality artworks. enrich their own works. that Caravaggio’s figurative realism seems to be Core Design Gallery would like to thank Aliya and Farouk Khan the closest approach to his formalistically trained (AFK) collection for loaning the Ali Nurazmal Yusoff’s Imitation Why Baroque? background. Thus, came the birth of Ali Nurazmal’s Master After Caravaggio as part of the exhibit. first Imitation Master After Caravaggio. Baroque was chosen because of its grandeur, Front cover is digitally illustrated by Hawa Basery sensuous richness, drama, vitality, movement, Curatorial Objective and Process tension, emotional exuberance, and a tendency to blur distinctions between the various arts. The At the start of the development process, the artists term Baroque is believed by many scholars to selected to participate in this exhibition are based come from the Portuguese word barocco also on their medium, stroke and signature style. The known as an imperfect pearl. One of the most idea is to provide a different visual excitement as significant artist that probably known to have contrast to the traditional forms of oil paintings influenced subsequent Baroque artists such as and sculptures of the Baroque period. During the Peter Paul Rubens, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and concept and progress stage, the artists themselves etc is none other than Michealangelo Merisi selects the relevant Baroque artists and artworks Caravaggio. Caravaggio was commissioned which they wanted to study especially the aspect by the Council of Trent to create simple visual of formalistic approaches and content then to representations but dramatic, realistic and clear in reinterpret it into their own visual context. narrative, as a reaction against the intricate and formulaic Mannerist style which dominated the Ali Nurazmal Yusoff Ali Nurazmal Yusoff Ralik 2 Imitation Master After Caravaggio OIl on Canvas Oil on Canvas 183cm x 457cm 122cm x 290cm 2015 2009

Courtesy of The Aliya and Farouk Khan (AFK) Collection of Malaysian Contemporary Art

Curatorial Findings style of abstraction and semi-realism. Albeit, The curatorial findings for this exhibition were most Both Firdaus Nordin and Syahmi Jamaludin he still revisits Caravaggio’s masterpieces interesting as most of the artists saw the possibilities critically dissected the sociopolitical situation in One of the main purpose of this curatorial every now and then to continue his series of in expanding their artistic practices be it in pushing Malaysia and reflected their opinion through their objective was to encourage artists to move out Imitation Master while still studying intensively the the limits of their medium or even searching for own respective medium. Whereas Firdaus Ismail of their comfort zone. Baroque art is known to different formalistic approaches. By 2016, he has an identity within the elements of their own local and Hirzaq Harris infused the use of Malay cultural be complex and dramatic that required the transitioned to his seminal exhibition reALISM with context. In terms of expanding practices in the representation such as silat and batik. Husin selected artists to study the basic formalism of pieces Resurrection, Ralik 2 and Push Button that contemporary form, artist like Anisa has managed Othman and Aely Manaf recontextualise the composition, chiaroscuro, depth, perspective, masterfully blend the intuitive expressions against to fluidise the visual aesthetics of paper collage disorder and confusion of some Baroque painting form and especially the narrative that prompted the realistic forms, creating an unparalleled despite the rigid structural form of the material. as a contemporary social issue. the Baroque art movement and its deep influence deconstructed manifestation of moving figures. Khairul Izham was excited with his development that made it universally recognisable. Thus opening of wires mimicking drawing lines to give the In conclusion, Neo Baroque- A Malaysian up possibilities on the various approaches that Neo Baroque- A Malaysian Reinterpretation was expression and intensity to the form. On the other Reinterpretation as a curated exhibition with its current contemporary practices that the artists inspired by this journey undertaken by Ali Nurazmal hand, Sabihis Md Pandi was able to provide a interesting theme is timely and apt as these artists themselves can expand even further. Yusof. Thus, to brings back the very first Ali Nurazmal different visual excitement as compare to what is are in their formative stages of their identity. The Yusof’s Imitation Master After Caravaggio as part expected of a Baroque painting with his complex research in formalistic approaches and the role of An evident example of an artist who took is this of the exhibition seems apt as it fits the flow of this wood cut and monochrome print artwork. interpretation was also important for artists to not route was Ali Nurazmal Yusoff, when he painted exhibition’s overall narrative. As ten years later in only able to make use of the content but also to his first Imitation Master After Caravaggio in 2009. 2019, it was interesting to see how these younger The role of reinterpretation also played a very expand their artistic practices in the contemporary His past 10 years progressions has been very generation of artists can critically analyse the important part in this exhibition as artists were art form. interesting, from realistic figures to drawing and contents of Baroque history and reinterpret it into encouraged to look into themselves and their painting in black and white to his breakthrough their own contemporary art form. identity, from the aspect of their own cultural in Face Off that incorporates his own expressive elements or even their own social surroundings.

Neo Baroque- 5 Anisa Abdullah

Meraikan Si Kelabu (After Velasquez) (After Josefa de Ayala) Paper Collage on Paper Collage on Canvas Canvas 123cm x 121cm 121cm x 123cm 2019 2019

Anisa has been a full time artist since she graduated members as her subjects. Her recent 2018 work time that man has to go through. Similarly in her de Ayala’s Easter Lamb as a reference for her from UiTM in 2010. Acclaimed for her intricate Selangkah featured in Y Canvas exhibition at Core latest work Meraikan (After Velasquez), Anisa tries second artwork Si Kelabu (After Josefa de Ayala). paper collage works, she has slowly paved her Design Gallery was a work that she attempted to express the span of past and present into one Easter Lamb has a very strong feminine touch, way into becoming one of the favourites within to take her craft to another level. Selangkah composition. Thus, she playfully interweaves herself especially when one observes how the delicate the local art industry. was the first work that she created in pure black and her family members of present times as part brushstrokes accentuate the soft fur of the limb- and white tones. It was composed of different of Diego Velasquez’s Las Meninas composition, as bounded lamb. Anisa was excited to see how Her first solo exhibition Cebis-Cebis in 2013 mainly frames and perspective of modern day Malaysian she imagines being transported into the past to be she can test skills of collaging rigid edge paper to themed on pop art, reflected heavily on the mass scene juxtaposed against the contemporary part of this event. simulate the same effect as delicate brushstrokes culture of identifiable imageries within the everyday developments. The interlacing and overlapping on the fur of her cat. So far with these two latest Malaysian life. Slowly she started to transition into effect seems to express the span of space and Being a female artist herself, Anisa realises how works, Anisa has proven herself to be a formidable figurative works of her own self-portrait and family time as if to connote the inevitable changes of rare female artists were especially during the female artist and definitely an artist to be reckoned Baroque period. Thus, it lead her to choose Josefa with for her skilful mastery of her own genre.

6 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 7 Khairul Izham

Sang Penghibur Sang Pemimpi Steel Wire, Cotton Nett, Acrylic and Steel Wire, Cotton Nett and Bitumen on Canvas Acrylic on Canvas 127cm x 96cm 127cm x 96cm 2019 2019

“Drawing is impossible to define” due to its rich first solo Chronicle of Lines 2012, he was exploring portraits. Both works are his personal reflections of Slightly different from other artists in this exhibition etymological past. This is especially true in Khairul how from a single line it grows organically to form his life and his obligations towards his family. Sang who referenced mostly to painters of the Baroque Izham’s latest works Sang Pemimpi and Sang complex composition of images. His lines drawing Pemimpi with a more serious demeanour portrays period, Khairul instead referenced to the famous Penghibur where he uses lines to imply the coming itself is like a performative act which transfers raw the ideals of a good husband material to his wife marble sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini to expand together of two planes or in this case three- expressions of the mind to the gestural moves of and also as a man ambitious enough to dream far. the possibilities of his medium by using wires as lines. dimensional space with his use of wires to create the hands to mark on the surface. Whereas on the opposite end, he has to display Quite evidently with these two latest works, Khairul the lines to sculpt the form of his own self-portraits. a different side of him which is to be a fun and is not attempting to create a three-dimensional In his two latest works Sang Pemimpi and Sang entertaining father to his daughter through the sculpture instead he is celebrating the use of two- Khairul started with the use of lines as his signature Penghibur, Khairul attempts to push the limits clownish portrayal of himself in Sang Penghibur. dimensional planes and lines to give an expression stroke since he graduated from UiTM in 2010. In his of lines with metal wires to flesh out his own self- and intensity to the form.

8 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 9 Sabihis Md Pandi

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Tiger Hunt (After Rubens) Woodcut Print, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas 94cm x 156cm 2019

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Tiger Hunt (After Rubens) #2 Woodcut Print, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas 92cm x 77cm 2019

Sabihis, a winner of MEAA (Malaysia Emerging of the tiger hunting scene on the left panel then intricate wood cut to provide a different visual allowed to hunt these animals as a sport. To Sabihis, Artist Award) in 2016 and bronze award for UOB mirror prints on canvas on the right panel. In excitement. Most importantly, he has also opened this hunting game was just a way for the royals and painting of the year in 2015 has been making the original composition by Peter Paul Rubens, up possibilities on the various approaches that nobles to flaunt their privilege, wealth and status. waves as a woodcut printmaker. The mirrored the effect of the exotic hunting of wild animal is his current contemporary practices can expand Sabihis reflected his concern by putting a spin to effect artwork which consists of print on canvas accentuated by the use of rich colour tones and even further. the whole visual, the hunters are instead cladded and actual block has always been a key signature hues. This turns out to be a real challenge for Sabihis in bunny suits and one of them bitten by the angry for this printmaker. to adopt and adapt his medium of woodcut to The Tiger Hunt by Peter Paul Rubens was originally tiger. The artist is trying to remind us that in the achieve same effect like a painting that is both commissioned by Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria end, the bullied and the oppressed symbolically In his latest Tiger Hunt (After Rubens) measuring at intense and expressive. Interestingly, Sabihis has to paint his hunting excursions. Although it was represented by the tiger will retaliate and bite 94cm x 156cm Sabihis takes his wood cut to another skilfully managed to translate his signature style against the law to hunt for exotic and wild animals back ferociously. different level by carving a complex composition of monochromatic prints and his medium of in the 17th century, the royals and nobles were

10 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 11 Syahmi Jamaluddin

Propaganda I: Not Enough Oil and Silkscreen on Canvas 107cm x 147cm Propaganda II: It is Okay 2019 Oil and Silkscreen on Canvas 147cm x 107cm 2019

As a young artist who graduated in 2016 from illustrated by the artist as a serene seascape in the was a way to propagate the importance of Marie militants as a symbolism of terror whereas at the the renowned UiTM, Syahmi works primarily on centre of Propaganda I: Not Enough. However in de Medici’s grand arrival in France and also bottom of the artwork people are still dancing silkscreen printed imageries. Similar to Andy this contemporary era, wars between countries acts as a visual celebration to this event. Syahmi happily in celebration oblivious to the events of Warhol’s style of pop art, Syahmi frames different are more about who holds the stronger economic decided to silkscreen print the Disembarkation at terrorism, connote people has been brainwashed everyday imageries of life by silk screen printing power instead. Syahmi illustrated his concern Marseilles as a silhouette to the background and by the intensive political indoctrination. them onto one canvas to reflect the narrative on the socioeconomic condition of Malaysia by juxtaposed it against his very own narrative of the of his personal concern on the global and local subtly hinting this through the use of symbolism; contemporary times. In today’s times, propaganda Only at the age 26, Syahmi has proven the ability to sociopolitical issues. tigers were given only scraps of meat by the men is usually used as information to influence audience critically dissect and reflect his personal insights of in coat who own the larger chunk of meat. The and further an agenda, considered to be a the surrounding sociopolitical issues through his art. Art has been known as one of the most effective visuals Propaganda I: Not Enough seems to speak manipulative approach albeit historically it was a Using silkscreen printing of everyday contemporary propaganda to mankind since ancient times. at length about the manipulation of political neutral descriptive term. According to Syahmi, at representation and framing them as contents Jan Brueghel the Younger’s Allegory of War is strategic propaganda that there is a rational the very top of Propaganda II: It Is Okay piece, similarly to comic narrative, Syahmi somehow still Syahmi’s reference where the original image economic exchange, when in truth the more he turned a proper figure of a reporter or journalist able to unite them as one synchronised story by composed of weapons, fighting animals, burning powerful and superior ones can always control the other way round because he feels that in overlaying the imageries with subtle colour hues city and battling garrisons was used to illustrate the the inferior struggling ones. the world of media it is often presenting facts and tones while interweaving the mark- making horrors of war. In present day, the global political selectively to encourage a certain perception. silhouettes as part of the overall composition. landscape seems more peaceful than before, as In Peter Paul Ruben’s Disembarkation at Marseilles At the centre of the piece he uses the image of

12 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 13 Firdaus Nordin

Sarkas-tik Aerosol Paint and Acrylic on Aluminium 131cm x 99cm (with frame) 2019

A relatively young artist who graduated from UiTM his mastery in aluminium tooling with the use of in 2017, Firdaus Nordin has definitely carved a niche chiaroscuro painting effect to create a more for himself within the Malaysian contemporary art distinct depth to his highly embossed and textured scene with his medium of aluminium tooling that form. For his latest work Sarkas-tik, Firdaus parodies uses similar techniques to the traditional copper Peter Paul Ruben’s The Ascension of Christ by tooling. Firdaus first showcased his sculptural- reinterpreting it to reflect the current sociopolitical like painting with the technique of aluminium situation in Malaysia. Sarkas-tik depicts a larger- tooling at Inception, a group exhibition which he than-life man who climbed up to the high organised with his peers in 2017. Since then, he mountain ridge above standing tall with his back has created his own signature imageries of rustic facing the audience whilst the mountain below tones and hues on various subject matters such as are minion-like clowns somewhat celebrating the coins, clowns and jokers embossed on aluminium rise of their leader. Interestingly, the artist has titled surfaces. the work Sarkas-tik which is a combination of the Malay word - Sarkas (circus) and English word- For this Neo Baroque- A Malaysian Reinterpretation sarcastic. Though it may seem self-explanatory, it thematic exhibition of researching and referencing still raises the question within the viewers- is this all to the old Baroque masters, Firdaus attempts a symbolic jest? to develop his artistic skills further by combining

14 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 15 Arikwibowo Amril

Sketch Selfie Selfie Digital Print and Collage Paper on Charcoal and Collage Paper on Canvas with Gold Frame Canvas with Gold Frame 51cm x 46cm 66cm x 56cm 2019 2019

Dark, velvety, grainy, soft… these are the intrinsic charcoal drawings on torn pieces of paper that concept and narrative, Arikwibowo insisted on Arikwibowo aptly picked Rembrandt self-portrait qualities that draw Arikwibowo to explore his subsequently collaged onto a canvas. According going around town to search for the perfect gold- to imitate as Rembrandt is renowned for his passion in charcoal drawings for the past 7 years. to the artist, it was not an idea stemmed from gilded frame that is similar to that of the Baroque mastery of light and shadow. This process allows Arikwibowo is no stranger to the local art scene with inspirational brilliance; rather it was because of his era. The frame he purportedly selected was to be Arikwibowo to test his skills in manipulating the his strong repertoire of charcoal drawn portraits. In financial struggles in his early days to obtain large thicker on the edges and slimmer on the inside so texture of paper and the versatility of charcoal to his recent successful solo exhibition Hukum Alam in sheets of paper that prompted him to collage torn that the frame provides a depth of focus drawing conjure the contrasting hues of light and shadow 2018, this Kuala Lumpur born artist experimented papers in order to make larger artworks. This later the attention of viewers to his intricately rendered on the portrait form. Again, he returns with his with various mixed media, collages, oil and most became his unique signature for his future works. charcoal drawn portrait. unique signature; the torn paper collage effect importantly charcoal where he painted portraits of which seems to reflect on the grandeur of this past everyday ordinary people and famous people. His Selfie is a small 66cm x 56cm portrait that he blends One of the most compelling qualities of the great master and its influence on a contemporary most memorable piece was Gajah Duduk which his own self-portrait together with Rembrandt’s charcoal medium is its ability to conjure a artist like him. was produced in 2013. It was an artwork that has famous self-portrait. An artist who is true to his remarkable range of texture and shadow.

16 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 17 Husin Othman

The Winner of Warriors The Great Men Oil on Canvas Oil on Canvas 123cm x 137cm 123cm x 137cm 2019 2019

This Perak boy by birth has been making waves in the piece consisting sixteen panels measuring 1 feet The Defeat of Sennacherib, Husin contextualised up to reach out to the bright lit sky above. Similarly art scene with his paintings of nostalgic reflections by 1 feet each panel where he presented his lines the whole scene of unparalleled confusion and in life, amidst this competitive scenario there will and childhood memories since 2014. Husin has drawing that interlaces the smaller imageries to disorder into a contemporary social issue that be one or two heroes who fight hard enough in shown us how his blend of impressionistic skills and form bigger portraits. It was development from man faces today. In this current era, everything in struggles of life to be able to win and achieve his imagination can create a surreal effect yet able RAM that he was able to push forth with more life becomes a race to win. The winner may not his dream as depicted in The Winner of Warriors. to create a realistic representation. Husin started complex semi-realistic compositions of figures that be the greatest man neither is the greatest man is However, there are also a lot of unsung heroes his career with impressionistic representations of interweaves with nostalgic objects and scenes in the richest, the fastest, the strongest or the wisest. shown as faceless figures in The Great Men that a young village school boy’s everyday carefree his two men show: The Frames of Two Cultures. Men who are continuously trying to get ahead of may never even achieve any glory or recognition. life; from taking a school bus ride to throwing the the next guy may never be happy. So have they In the end, Husin is trying to remind us that life is school bag at an old phone booth to roaming For Neo Baroque- A Malaysian Reinterpretation, truly won anything? only a race if we are competing with ourselves. It's around the village to play with his friends. One of Husin took the challenge for the first time to explore about who will cross the finish line -- not who will his significant transition and development in his the use of oil on his two latest paintings: The Winner In both paintings, Husin symbolically places the cross it first. career was in 2016 when he created the piece of Warriors and The Great Men. Inspired by the war- human figures riding on carousel that goes round Random Access Memories (RAM). RAM was a like visuals of Peter Paul Ruben’s The Lion Hunt and and round in circles for chance to fight their way

18 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 19 Firdaus Ismail

The Duel II (After Gentileschi) The Duel I (After Gentileschi) Oil and Acrylic on Canvas Oil and Acrylic on Canvas 137cm x 105cm 137cm x 105cm 2019 2019

Firdaus Ismail, an artist hailing from Kedah made For this Neo Baroque- A Malaysian Reinterpretation, elements, a Malay silat warrior wearing a tengkolok the intensity of a warrior’s battle. Quite evident, in a recent comeback into the main stream with Firdaus chose Orazio Gentileschi’s both David (a traditional Malay headgear) and fighting using these two latest paintings, Firdaus will be pushing his new painterly techniques; blending both and Goliath and also Contemplating the Head the traditional keris (a traditional Malay dagger). to his current painting practices to expand his deconstructed forms and surrealism style. Firdaus of Goliath as his subjects of reference. He was For his human figures, Firdaus uses yellows and visual realm further in the future. came from a background of realism for the past interested in the composition of both paintings browns for definition, muscle contortions and eight years after graduating from UiTM with a fine because it reminded him of the famous duel stress. Deconstructed shapes of different pastel art degree before he metamorphosed into this between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat. Therefore colours are used for the surrounding landscape new technique of deconstructed form. he decided to contextualise the imagery with local to accentuate the dizzying movements and also

20 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 21 Hirzaq Harris Aely Manaf

Sayang II Acrylic and Technical Pen on Canvas 155cm x 125cm Jurang (After Rubens) 2019 Mixed Media on Canvas 153cm x 99cm 2019

Hirzaq Harris, a notable artist for his stamp series in his latest painting Sayang II but with his own that has broached on a variety of subjects that local interpretation of it. The flat tone background Aely Manaf has participated in numerous group of Malaysia. Jurang is a word that has several touches on the multi-cultural elements of both local of Sayang II represents the dark shallow space, shows since 2010 with a few of his earliest group meanings : ravine, gaps and also hope at the and abroad. Flat tone background and intricate while the soft modeling technique used on the shows with Core Design Gallery. Although largely a same time. At the top of the painting is the brightly doodling of subjects has become synonymous young woman creates an intimate setting that self-taught artist, his interest in colour tones and the lit blue sky with several winged angels struggling to with Hirzaq’s reputation, as he slowly builds a draws the viewer’s attention exclusively on her. ability to master the different pigments is due to his save some men who are falling off the ravine, the steady repertoire of “clean, flat and distinct layer” Hirzaq contextualised the work to a local flavour day time job of working in a colour paint factory. blend of strong orange and red hues looks like a works as his signature style over the years. by painting his wife to represent a Malay woman In his well received solo show Human Nature in fiery pit with men crouching over in suffering. The wearing a veil with batik motifs doodled free hand 2017, he created textured impasto effect portraits artist seems to be relating how the people have It was quite evident that Hirzaq would have by him. Not neglecting his key signature style, the of famous people. descended to the bottomless fiery pit of the ravine chosen Johannes Vermeer as a reference artist portrait is presented in a painted stamp-like frame, in these trying times and can only hope for better especially the famous masterpiece Girl with a as if Hirzaq is immortalising the power of feminism Jurang is Aely’s latest work reflects his personal days. Pearl Earring. Hirzaq tries to create a similar mood and motherhood. insights on the current socioeconomic situation

22 Neo Baroque Neo Baroque- 23