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In the early part of his career, Najib A tribute to Austen From the Bamadhaj made a name for himself painting scenes from nature. Endangered Najib began painting this series in January animals and untamed foliage streamed as the early signs of COVID-19 were wild jungles forth from his imagination and onto his bubbling to the surface. However, the canvases, and the topic of a disappearing works’ origins can be traced to an earlier to the wild was a constant in all his works. private commission and to the exhibition’s namesake, Jane Austen’s classic tale of That has changed. Today, Najib has Elizabeth Bennet and her trials and human boudoir navigated into human territory and the tribulations of navigating love and life in works in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ see the artist Georgian England. transcending into the jungles of human emotion through opulent portraits of “I was very much inspired by the novel and women dressed in qipao and drop pearl even more so by the movie adaptations of earrings or masks. These women pose ‘Pride & Prejudice’. In the movie, the proudly with long-stemmed cigarette characters are so vividly portrayed holders or Chinese hand-held fans, and especially Elizabeth Bennet, the epitome of whilst each of the 12 portraits are unique, a beautifully mannered lady; glowing in the there is unison in their backdrops of first light of perfection, has her own peonies and other flowers in full-bloom, or opinions and can be unforgiving. I am very large visual statements like the hand-held attracted to the character’s attitude, body fan. All of the works exude the flavours of language and her facial expressions,” notes chinoiserie, and the delicate female Najib. qualities of his subject matter are strongly juxtaposed with his choice of material – Najib is referring to Austen’s lead character, wooden panels, a material that has hitherto Bennet, whose pluckiness was, at the time, been present in his arsenal and which a stark contrast to the refined mannerisms Rachel Jenagaratnam carries a more rigid, masculine quality. expected among women in 19th century TAKSU
English society. Women then were tackle the hugely human trait of being nuances from Austen’s characters to required to play more delicate roles, and victims of our own preconceived notions bring them to life in a wholly modern and Bennet’s independence and or biases. Asian way. outspokenness was a symbol for women to seize control of their own futures. What association do we place to the “I translated the expressions of the word ‘pride’? Do we regard it as a characters into my artworks with my own Elizabeth Bennett was ahead of her time. positive or negative quality? Pride can twist. The women I drew represents each Strong, willful, and a world apart from her cripple relationships when one party trait of the characters from both the novel peers. Her character represented refuses to meet eye-to-eye out of pure and movie. There are proud, shy, demure Austen’s desire for female emancipation ego. And pride can be the overflowing joy or mysterious, and they all symbolise the from the expectations of society, but of a parent who sees his young child ‘Pride & Prejudice’ characters. But as we despite the numerous waves of feminism succeed at something new for the first gaze upon their expressions, we could that has transpired since Austen’s novel time. Is pride positive or negative? never simply judge them; the women was published, can we really claim that a might look forbidding, but she could lot has changed even two centuries later? The same questions can be raised when actually be a warm person and very viewing Najib’s works. Are the subjects in lovely,” argues Najib. Humans – we’re far more complicated the portraits “good” or “bad” women? Do than animals their poses signify demureness or The beauty of it decadence? Do we all inherently assume The needle on female equality or the worst of what may be intrinsically ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is a two-fold victory autonomy may have moved since good people, or start with the best for Najib. Firstly, he’s tackled the tricky Austen’s time, but Najib’s purpose isn’t to intentions in our heart in ever scenario? subject of human emotions, and more dissect gender identity in ‘Pride and obviously to those who have followed his Prejudice’. Instead, the driving force Who are we to judge what’s good or bad? decade-long career, he’s embraced the behind this series is more structural than And do we take pride in our prejudices? practice of figurative art – a subject he’s symbolic – he wants viewers to examine only dabbled in a handful of times to the universal associations of the words of These questions are what Najib’s works date, with each previous work produced ‘pride’ and ‘prejudice’ and to ultimately aim to give rise to, and he’s borrowed the a few years apart from each other. TAKSU
Aesthetically, this is a triumph as there isn’t much to fault with ‘Pride and Prejudice’. However, the series’ real value is in the open-ended questions that viewers are drawn to consider. Najib wants us to challenge our readings of others, and unlike the animals that the artist used to portray, the one distinguishing feature among his new subject matter is the ability to think critically.
The American inventory, Edwin Land1, said it best:
This is the most exciting part of being human. It is using our brains in the highest way. Otherwise we are just healthy animals.
1 Edwin Land (1909-91) was the avant-garde founder of the Polaroid Corp. TAKSU
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj XX I Acrylic, charcoal and fabric collage on wood panels 122.5 cm x 153 cm 2020 TAKSU
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj XX II Acrylic, charcoal and fabric collage on wood panels 122 cm x 76.5 cm 2020 TAKSU
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj XX III Acrylic and charcoal on wood panels 246 cm x 152.5 cm 2020 TAKSU
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj XX IV Acrylic, charcoal and fabric collage on wood panels 122 cm x 95.5 cm 2020 TAKSU
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj XX V Acrylic and charcoal on wood panels 245 cm x 134 cm 2020 TAKSU
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj XX VI Acrylic, charcoal and fabric collage on wood panels 152.5 cm x 95.5 cm 2020 TAKSU
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj XX VII Acrylic, charcoal and fabric collage on wood panels 183 cm x 155.3 cm 2020 TAKSU
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj XX VIII Acrylic, charcoal and fabric collage on wood panels 152.5 cm x 97 cm 2020 Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj — Artist Statement
As an artist, I am very much inspired by the novel and even more so on the movie adaptations of the Pride & Prejudice, thus this latest solo exhibition was based on.
In the movie, the characters are so vividly portrayed especially Elizabeth Bennet, the epitome of a beautifully mannered lady; glowing in the first light of perfection, has her own opinions and can be unforgiving. I am very attracted to the character’s attitude, body language and their facial expressions.
In the past, when we mentioned pride, we associated it with snobbishness, but to relates it to the modern context, when someone is very prideful, it could mean very egoistic. While prejudice simply means “to judge a book by its cover”.
I translated the expressions of the characters into my artworks with my own twist. The women I drew represents each trait of the characters from both the novel and movie. There are proud, shy or demure and mysterious expressions, all symbolise the Pride & Prejudice characters. But as we gaze upon their expressions, we could never simply judge them, the women might look forbidding, but she could be a warm person and very lovely. The background motives represent femininity, as flower usually associated with women as in a beautiful & graceful being. Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj — Artist Biography
The talented young artist born in 1987, Tanjong Heritage Art Competition in Kuala completed his Diploma in Fine Art from Lumpur (2010), and a finalist for the Visual UiTM Melaka back in 2008 and then Arts Awards in Kuala Lumpur (2011). pursued a B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art (Sculpture) from Universiti Teknologi Mara Najib unveiled his first solo exhibition, (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor, in 2010. Great Migration in October 2012 at TAKSU Kuala Lumpur. This collection saw the “My interest in the arts began in primary highly rated young artist exploring various school. I really liked decorating my school themes through his endangered animal- books with sketches and I always got centric mixed media artwork on a range of excited participating in poster design surfaces, including mud, cement, recycled competitions in school,” he said. wood panels and zinc.
From the time he began his career until today, Najib has participated in numerous group exhibitions including, Endangered, a two-man show with Hirzaq Harris at TAKSU KL (2011), Visual Art Award (2011), LiFest at MAPKL (2011), HIMPUN at the National Art Gallery KL (2010), and many more.
This amazing young talent was also a Finalist of MRCB Art Awards at the National Art Gallery (2008), 1st prize winner in the Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj — Artist CV
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2020 Pride & Prejudice, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2015 Survival, TAKSU, Singapore 2012 Great Migration, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2020 Embodiment, TAKSU, Singapore Art Moments Jakarta, Segaris Art Center, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Rejuvenating Soul, Artas Gallery, The Strand, Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Splendid Isolation, Nadine Fine Art, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Mending Fence: Tales From An Isolation, G13 Gallery, Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Twenty, Segaris Art Center, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Possibilia, Rumah Seni Selangor(RUSSEL), Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2019 Art Aids, White Box, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Art Expo Malaysia, Taksu, Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia BEDA: UiTM X ISI JOGJA, Segaris Art Center, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Painting & Empathy, Nadine Fine Art, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia TAKSU 30th Anniversary Exhibition, (KLAF 2019), APW Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia XIX-Nineteen, Segaris Art Center, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Locals Only, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia This Is DOPE!, TAKSU, Singapore 2018 Art Collection Exhibition, Terrada Art Complex, Tokyo, Japan Art Expo Malaysia Plus 2018, Taksu, Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia PUBLIKA ART SHOW, White Box, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ‘ARANG’ Texture of Johor, Galeri Seni Johor, Johor, Malaysia START Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London, United Kingdom Art Aids, White Box, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj — Artist CV
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2018 TRANSIT 3X3, HOM Art Trans, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The 8 Hope, Lux Gallery, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Abstraction Towards Realism, Nadine Fine Art, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bintang 5 Volume #3, Segaris Art Center, White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia From The Studio II, Trans 56, Art Row @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Art Stage, TAKSU, Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore 2017 Love & Betrayal, Nadine Fine Art, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Art Kaohsiung, G13 Gallery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Reflections, Gallery Weekend, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Art Expo Malaysia Plus 2017, TAKSU, Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur Art Aids 17 ‘BEBAS’, White Box, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Transit A1, HOM Art Trans, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sensation, Segaris Art Center, White Box, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bi Lateral Bonds, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bi Lateral Bonds, TAKSU, Singapore Temple & Sacred Place, Nadine Fine Art, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Iskarnival, IP Kreatif, Mall of Medini, Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia Belantara, Segaris Art Center, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Locals Only, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Urban Art Fair, Aliwal Arts Centre, Le Carreau Du Temple, Paris, France Amal Insani, Balai Seni Visual Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Mimpi Jadi Lanskap, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Asia Contemporary Art Show (10th edition), Nadine Fine Art, Conrad, Hong Kong Belantara, Segaris Art Centre, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Singapore Contemporary, Segaris Art Center, Suntec, Singapore Nasi Campur International, TAKSU, Singapore Art Stage, TAKSU, Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj — Artist CV
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2016 Art Kaohsiung, G13 Gallery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Rising Length of Light, REDBASE Contemporary Art, Artotel, Thamrin, Jakarta, Indonesia Iskarnival Naratif, White Box, Map Iskandar Puteri, Mall of Madini, Johor, Malaysia Art Aids, White Box, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Art Expo Malaysia Plus 2016, TAKSU, Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Merdeka Show, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Art Gwangju, TAKSU & Art Angel, Gwangju, South Korea Bi Lateral Bonds, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Bi Lateral Bonds, TAKSU, Singapore Transit A2, HOM Art Trans, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Cannot Be Boarded, Aliwal Arts Centre, Urbanscape House, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Spice Select, Nadine Fine Art, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Young Malaysian Artists - New Object(ion) III, Galeri Petronas, Suria Klcc, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Art Stage, TAKSU, Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore 2015 5th Anniversary G13 Show, G13 Gallery, Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Art Kaohsiung, G13 Gallery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 9th Art Expo Malaysia 2015, TAKSU, Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Art Gwangju 15, Galeri Chandan, Gwangju, South Korea Nasi Campur, TAKSU, Bali, Indonesia The Collective Young: From South East Asia, Mizuma Gallery, Gillman Barracks, Singapore Shift, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Ada Show!, Segaris Art Centre, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Extreme Portrait, Galeri Chandan, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Locals Only, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Nasi Campur, TAKSU, Singapore 2014 S.U.A.R.A.S.A. 3, Segaris Art Centre, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 8th Art Expo Malaysia 2014, TAKSU, Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Merdeka Show, TAKSU , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 99, Galeri Chandan, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj — Artist CV
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2014 Note To Self, TAKSU, Singapore Young Guns, Chan Hampe Gallery, Singapore Locals Only, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Nasi Campur, TAKSU, Singapore 2013 Young Guns, White Box, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Nah! Bali, G13 Gallery, Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia 7th Art Expo Malaysia 2013, G13 Gallery, Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia S.U.A.R.A.S.A. 2, Segaris Art Centre, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia BUKA, Artelier Gallery, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Up!, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Destiny (Young Group Show), National Visual Arts Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Translocality (3 Man Show), OCBC Centre, Singapore Locals Only, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Spice, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Sekaki, Segaris Art Centre, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2012 Peninsula & Island, TAKSU, Singapore Transit A4, House of Matahati (HOM), Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia LOADED, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia POPUP, House of Matahati (HOM), Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Songsang, Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Earth, Puncak Art Gallery, Bukit Jelutong, Selangor, Malaysia Spice, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Locals Only, TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Nasi Campur, TAKSU, Singapore 2011 New, Young & Contemporary, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia Endangered (2 Man Show), TAKSU, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Visual Art Award (VAA) 2011, Starhill Gallery, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Open House 2011, Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj — Artist CV
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2011 Kalam, Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Anniversary Show, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Signs, Symbols & Icons (3 Man Show), Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Pulp Friction, Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Private Affairs, Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia LiFest, MAP @ Publika, Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2010 Dis-Chromatic, Small Talk With The Moon, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Expressions of the Malayan Tiger, Maybank Art Gallery, Maybank Tower, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tanjong Heritage, Sri Melayu Restaurant, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia HIMPUN, Peti Seni @ National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia RIYAD Al-Ilm ‘Garden of Knowledge’, Galeri Chandan, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Conform, Three Sixty Art Development Studio, Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Degree Show: LOAD, FSSR, UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Nando’s, Kicking-Off With Art & Soul, One Utama Shopping Centre, Damansara Utama, Malaysia 2009 Young Art, R A Fine Arts, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Belief, Three Sixty Art Development Studio, Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Open Johor Art Competition, Johor Art Gallery, Johor, Malaysia The Art of Recycling The Nando’s Way, NN Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Open Show, Shah Alam Gallery, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia 2008 Pallete, The Gallery @ Starhill, Star Hill Gallery, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Diploma Show, Art Gallery, UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia Nando’s, Peri-fy Your Art, NN Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2007 Antara Merdeka, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Melaka TYT Action Portrait, UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj — Artist CV
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2013 Young Gun Awardee, White Box, Solaris @ Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Nah! Bali, G13 Bali Residency Programmed, Bali, Indonesia 2011 Finalist, Visual Art Award 2011, Starhill Gallery, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2010 Consolation Prize Winner, “Expressions of the Malayan Tiger” Art Competition, Maybank Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Vice Chancellor’s Awards, Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art, UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysi 1st Class, Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art, UiTM Shah Alam, Malaysia 1st Prize (Mix Media), Tanjong Heritage Art Competition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1st Prize Winner, Nando’s, Kicking-Off With Art & Soul, One Utama Shopping Centre, Damansara Utama, Malaysia Dean’s List Awards, Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art, Semester 06, UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia 2009 2nd Place, Open Johor Art Competition, Johor Art Gallery, Johor, Malaysia Consolation Prize Winner (2D Hanging Display), Dean’s List Awards, Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art, Semester 05 & 04, UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor 2008 Dean’s List Awards, Degree (Hons.) in Fine Art, Semester 03, UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Finalist (Open Category), MRCB Art Awards, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Best Graduate of UiTM Melaka, Pra Graduate Award, Equatorial Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia Best Graduate of Faculty Art & Design UiTM Melaka, Pra Graduate Award, Equatorial Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia Best Graduate of Programmed in Fine Art Department, Pra Graduate Award, Equatorial Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia Dean’s List Awards, Diploma in Fine Art, Semester 06, UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia 2007 2nd Prize, Art Competition, Melaka TYT Action Portrait, UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia Dean’s List Awards, Diploma in Fine Art, Semester 04 & 05, UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia 2006 Dean’s List Awards, Diploma in Fine Art, Semester 02, UiTM Lendu, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia 2003 Best Student in Art Subject, Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, Muar, Johor, Malaysia TAKSU
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