A quick
scan of the exhibition catalogue shows me an impressive list of major cities in
the world where Johor Baru-born artist, Ahmad Zakii Anwar’s work have been
shown – and appreciated – before being finally presented to art enthusiasts in
his hometown.
 |
| Ahmad Zakii Anwar [holding mic] in a dialogue with art historian Sandra Krich [standing] in the presence of art enthusiasts during the Medini Live! art fest |
When the
artist sat down with me for a chat during his first solo exhibition in Johor
Baru, he agreed that the recently launched White Box of MAP@Nusajaya in the
Mall of Medini, is the ideal space to showcase a collection of his inspiring charcoal
drawings. Just as I did earlier on,
visitors to the gallery pause to gaze with awe at his large, intensely charged,
charcoal drawings curated in the theme, Arang
– the Malay word for charcoal.
Looking
Back
As he
settled himself more comfortably on the sofa for our chat, it crossed my mind that
Zakii must have had hundreds of interviews around the world. Born in JB in 1955, Zakii worked in graphic
design and advertising before becoming one of Malaysia’s foremost contemporary artists
with a huge following outside of his own country.
 |
| Standing Figure 1 [2006] |
Adjusting
his black framed spectacles and brushing back his trademark shock of white
curls, Zakii fondly recalls his big break in the early 1990s which happened at
a group exhibition held in the Kuala Lumpur National Art Gallery. He had joined the Malaysian Artists
Association and was among other young artists in that particular show. The face of this complex and compelling
artist lit up with a rare smile when he pointed out that it was a journalist
who first wrote about his work and then other media picked it up!
As Zakii’s
work received critical acclaim and gained a strong reputation in international
art circles, his work started to sell.
His imageries have been described as strong, arresting and unpretentious
and can be understood at many levels, not just visually but also
intellectually.
 |
| The minute details of fingers and toes can be seen in Silat 1 [2005] |
At age 32, he broke away
from the nation’s arts mainstream by leaving KL and the most influential art
scene and returned to his hometown where he built a studio and gallery into his
family home at Jalan Haron.
Arang, the show
The
show is a selection of some of Zakii’s most compelling charcoals on paper that
span over a decade of work, chosen by the artist for his first solo exhibition
in JB. He chooses images that embody
reality and gives it a rendered process to show us the essence and soul of what
he sees through his unique brand of realism.
“What
can be more fascinating than the human body?” he asks rhetorically because his
recent and most memorable catalogue of drawings are male nudes portrayed in a
blend of beauty of strength and introspection.
When I commented on the minute
details even in the toes and fingers of his images, Zakii admits to
an obsession to details. We talked about
his fascination about human activity, especially devotion and how people will
do all sorts of things in the name of god.
 |
| Devotee [2007] |
Referring
to Devotee, his realistic drawing of
the figure of an Indian man, Zakii said he goes to watch the annual Thaipusam
procession for inspiration. And when an
image such as this is recreated in charcoal on paper, he explained that it
takes a special skill to make the drawing come alive. “Can you feel his sweat?” he asked me. But before I can agree with him, he added
with a laugh, “I can almost smell his armpits!”
“Charcoal drawing is one of the most
unforgiving methods of artistic expression because mistakes cannot be hidden
under layers of paint and hesitations cannot be concealed under thick brush
strokes,” said art historian, Sandra Krich, who held a dialogue on charcoal
drawing with Zakii in an interactive session in the presence of art enthusiasts
as part of the Medini Live! art festival.
She explained that Zakii draws with his finger as a brush, sometimes with the whole hand, in gestures that are sometimes quick, slow and even caressing.
She explained that Zakii draws with his finger as a brush, sometimes with the whole hand, in gestures that are sometimes quick, slow and even caressing.
Looking
Ahead
Zakii, an
internationally acclaimed local artist who has exhibited his work in group
shows and solo exhibitions in major cities throughout Asia, Europe and America
since 1975, took so long to hold his first solo show in his hometown simply because
the city lacks suitable art spaces.
 |
| The cinematic framing and composition in Kota Sepi 2 [2012] give a sense of isolation that separates two figures |
He
lamented that JB has lagged behind for far too long and should learn from
Singapore, a city separated only by a causeway, but has a vibrant art scene. He said the opening of MAP@Nusajaya at the
Mall at Medini in partnership with developer, Medini Iskandar Malaysia, is a
long-awaited initiative and hopes that a programme of regular arts events will be
put in place to educate and entertain the community here.
 |
| Ahmad Zakii making a point during the dialogue session held in the White Box, MAP@Nusajaya |
While
Johor is being developed into a modern metropolis, the city must enhance the
quality of life for residents by engaging them through art and culture. Besides building an international city for
Malaysians and global citizens, Zakii reminded the city planners and developers
to set aside spaces for parks and playgrounds, and art spaces for visual and
performing arts because any living space needs soul and character to make it an
attractive place to work, play and live in.
“Talent
is not enough,” said Zakii whose advice to budding artists is to work hard and
be prepared for rejection and disappointment.
Speaking from experience, he said some galleries may not even accept
your work but in most cases, it may take up to 10 years before artists start to
sell their work. His journey to success
was long and hard but no matter what it takes to achieve it, his advice to young
artists is to do it on your own terms.
Entrance is Free of Charge to Arang, Zakii’s solo exhibition held in the White Box of MAP@Nusajaya, in the
Mall of Medini, Nusajaya, on now till July 5.
A version of this was published in The New Sunday Times, Life & Times on 28 June 2015
