Celebrating the significant milestone of 175 years of New Straits Times on 15 July, Galeri Prima organise a series of exhibitions themed Traversing 175.
Over 400 rare and nostalgic images dated back from 1845 curated from KLIK huge archive were put on display in the two previous series held in July and August. Traversing 175 exhibition was launched by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Tan Sri Dato Haji Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin, on 7 August 2020.
This third and final instalment of Traversing 175 series, sees 175 body of works art + photo by 175 Malaysian talents artists, illustrators and photographers. All 175 works born from the minds of the creators are indeed rich with their creative imagery.
Traversing 175 art + photo exhibition is on view from 2 October until 16 October 2020.
Creative works display in this exhibition can be divided into three categories and styles. Ahmad Shukri Mohamad, Umibaizurah Mahir Ismail, Mohd Al-Khuzairie Ali, Nur Thahirah Razak, Noriza Arzain, Natasha Azim, Amar Shahid, Kusfaizlul Hakim,Hug Yin Wan, Fitriah Roslan, Norazlan Ahmad, Firdaus Kamaruddin, Faiq Faiz, Aleff Ahmad and Liu Cheng Hua, each of them used their expertise in transferring it to the canvas that is synonymous with their creative imagination.
Ahmad Shukri Mohamed used a picture of Pre Merdeka in his work called Amanat. Stated in his statement, he believes the Independence of Malaysia give a big impact to Malaysian. The loud and clear Merdeka chant is a symbol of mandate to all Malaysian to keep the country safe and sound in the future. For Umi Baizurah Mahir, she featured a scene of young woman with their kurung during the 1980s in her collage together with her fine and detail ceramic accessories.
On the other hand, Aimman Hafizal and Fitriah Roslan have a unique approach in depicting and interpreting Malaysian scenes by using Malayan Tiger as their subject matter. The usage of bright colours and impasto highlight the subject matter, while contrary to Verly Veto Vermol and Aimman Hafizal with the illustration and assemblage.
On the subject of sculpture, there are varieties of styles and messages can be seen, such as Rosli Zakaria describe the moral of giving out to people in his wood and steel sculpture, while Rizal Salleh talks about life, and the will to live and the process of survival in his ceramic.
On the illustration side, Faiz Putra illustrated acute yet sarcastic scene of Malaysian behaviour titled Membawang with the message of how gossiping has been part of Malaysian behaviour. Meanwhile, Hasnol Sharudin take the most recent issue of unethical campers leaving their campsite unkept and dirty.
Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future, Sally Mann.
In this section, all 40 photographers captured explicit photos that allowed the photos to speak on its own and a moment that is impossible to reproduce. Fathil Kidir @ Asri successfully portray the struggles and sorrow of a poor young boy that lost his hand and Khairul Ghazali’s powerful and deep environment once entering a cell at abandon Penjara Pudu. While, Sairien Nafis produced experimental work with his multiple exposure and layering.
In conclusion, all 175 artists traverse across Malaysia moments, history and all types of art, style and medium in producing their works.
Learn more about the exhibitions: E-Catalogue
