Monday, April 27, 2020
Covid Surreality
Covid Surreality
I was inspired to do this series of photo works when National Art Gallery Malaysia uploaded ‘Read’ on the social medias to show some of their collections to the public.
Read is an artwork which I did in 2006 and was exhibited in a two person exhibition at Alstrup Gallery in Denmark and then at Pelita Hati Gallery in KL for my first solo exhibition at my home country in Malaysia.
Read is a collage work done from posters given to me from friends and some which I collected from my trips to the libraries in Copenhagen. I used an image from a magazine to make the artwork which shows a picture of three-man reading books. (I got this habit of using readymade images when I met the late Jeri Azhari in 1995, who inspired me to paint and later on became my mentor and close friend).
The post on Instagram was on 3rd April 2020 and when I bumped into it, the world was in a chaotic state with the unexpected attack of Corona virus that have infected over a million people and killed thousands.
Right after I saw the post, there was this sudden impulse and idea to make something similar to that, and I thought the best medium to do it was with photography. With my iPhone and half broken tripod, I started to experiment taking pictures of myself at home. It was pretty natural, as we are all advised to stay home during the lockdown.
The first work I did was posing myself like in ‘Read. Being a ‘model’ of myself is an expression of irony. The second work which I called ‘Uno anyone?’ gave a big smile on my face.
Humor has been an important element in my work simply because it works as a therapy to my soul. At a time when we are veiled in darkness and uncertain future, anything that we can do to uplift the human spirit is certainly needed and welcomed.
I have been posting this series of work on my Facebook and Instagram page and it is such joy to make it when I received such positive responses and a few laughing emojis on my post, especially in time like this. Living as a diaspora in Copenhagen, this series of work somehow keep me connected with my friends and family and revived old friendships – and ex-girlfriends J.
But then, when you think of it, it does not matter where you are in the world because with the lockdown, distance is irrelevant and we better get used to it. Perhaps the best way to get in touch with someone in this changing world is through the social media but it only works for those who have access to it. Who knows what’s going to happen in the future but we have to learn to quickly adapt to our new surroundings.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Monday, April 20, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
the currency series
done in 2015.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
a cry for freedom and human rights.
a cry for freedom and human rights.
this done after John Dominis s most iconic photograph of 3 great olympians medallists 52 years ago in mexico of 2 US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos who raised their fists in black power salute, a symbol of resistance and defiance. Smith and Carlos were ordered to leave Mexico and when they returned to the United States, they were banned from the Olympics for life but were treated as heroes by the black community for sacrificing their personal glory.
this done after John Dominis s most iconic photograph of 3 great olympians medallists 52 years ago in mexico of 2 US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos who raised their fists in black power salute, a symbol of resistance and defiance. Smith and Carlos were ordered to leave Mexico and when they returned to the United States, they were banned from the Olympics for life but were treated as heroes by the black community for sacrificing their personal glory.
Peter Norman, the Australian who won the silver medal wore a badge of the Olympic Project for Human Rights in support for fellow athletes Carlos and Smith in stand against racism. It was also Norman who suggested that the two American athletes to share wearing the black gloves. he returned back to Australia a pariah, was hated and suffering unofficial sanction. in 2008, a film 'Salute' was made honouring Norman caused a sensation that would put his achievements into public consciousness.👊❤️
Friday, April 17, 2020
the swing
it feels surreal, but it is real. it is so real that we cant believe that it is real.
perhaps we want it to be just a dream, a dream that will soon end.
only to wake up to our dreams, and find out that we are not too sure we want to have our eyes open.
but in this case, we dont seem to have much choice.
the only choice is to rise up..........
and perhaps only then we start to feel alive again.
perhaps we want it to be just a dream, a dream that will soon end.
only to wake up to our dreams, and find out that we are not too sure we want to have our eyes open.
but in this case, we dont seem to have much choice.
the only choice is to rise up..........
and perhaps only then we start to feel alive again.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
the cleaners
he cleaners - available for hire
these identical diaspora cleaners have worked many years in the cleaning industry. they see cleaning as a way of life and work both in private and public space. they have been trained professionally and engaged in multicultural societies.
they are compassionate and treat with utmost gentle and kindness to their working environment.
they use creativity in their work and often with humor.
they often collaborate with other cleaners for big cleaning projects and work on blurring the line between their cleaning co-workers and of friendship.
in their work, they wanted to connect people both in the local, regional and international level irregardless of colors and beliefs.
they often wonders about their state of belonging while working and often use memory to work efficiently.
they wear masks and can be very friendly and love a simple way of living.
these identical diaspora cleaners have worked many years in the cleaning industry. they see cleaning as a way of life and work both in private and public space. they have been trained professionally and engaged in multicultural societies.
they are compassionate and treat with utmost gentle and kindness to their working environment.
they use creativity in their work and often with humor.
they often collaborate with other cleaners for big cleaning projects and work on blurring the line between their cleaning co-workers and of friendship.
in their work, they wanted to connect people both in the local, regional and international level irregardless of colors and beliefs.
they often wonders about their state of belonging while working and often use memory to work efficiently.
they wear masks and can be very friendly and love a simple way of living.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Monday, April 13, 2020
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Friday, April 10, 2020
Thank You
deepest thanks to all doctors, nurses and healthcare workers all over the world for all your dedications and sacrifices fighting coronavirus pandemic. 🌷🌹🍂⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️❤️❤️
this one is for Dr Annur Ahmad , DrAzlin Sa'at, Pokwang Lee Galit Anja Hornbo Dr Nurhayati Mokhty Dr Ahmad Abd. Malik
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
punishment for breaking the lock down
we were caught by the covid buster acting president for going outside today and for not obeying the lock down. we were then made to do the 'ketuk ketampi', or perhaps in english is called the squats for our punishment.
i have told u to stay indoor 😭
Postcard series
if covid19 kills all the greedy corporations and ends the one sided capitalist system, i will run butt naked outside around the block.....three rounds.
this is taken from the postcard series done in 2005, portraits of famous and infamous people in the world. done with mono-print and acrylic on postcard.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Monday, April 6, 2020
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee. collage and acrylic on canvas. done in 2002. like my friend Maher Khatib, he was my hero growing up as a kid.my fav. film was 'way of the dragon', him with Chuck Norris.
this one dedicated to you Maher Khatib. i wish i could give this work to you but it has gone missing.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Saturday, April 4, 2020
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