IBNOO JALIL
Giorgio de Chirico said it best: “To become truly immortal, a work of art must escape all human limits. But once these barriers are broken, it will enter the realms of child hood visions and dreams.” The keyword here is childhood.
Naїve art takes the ordinary and adds enchantment. It turns the reality of adulthood into the weightless joys of youth. Portraitist/caricaturist Mohamad Zulhilmi Ab Jalil or Ibnoo Jalil, as he’s known in the art circles, confides that naїve art helped him explore his innermost feelings and translate it onto canvas.
“I can express directly from my heart, and every painting of mine tells a story. This is called Santubong,” he says, waving at his painting. At first glance, Santubong looks simplistic.But the intricate, painstaking detailing on the canvas tells a fantastical tale. The painting is inspired by the legend of Santubong and Sejinjang.
The most popular version of this legend is that Santubong and Sejinjang were princesses from Kayangan (Heaven). These two princesses had wonderful talents. Santubong was famous for her weaving skills while Sejinjang was known for her talent in pounding rice. The two beautiful princesses fell in love with Putera Serapi. Soon they started quarrelling with each other to be the prince’s only wife.
Sejinjang hit Santubong’s cheek with her pounder, and Santubong retaliated by hitting Sejinjang using her belidak, a tool to weave clothes. The force of the belidak shattered Sejinjang’s head into a million pieces.
The King was angry with the princesses for fighting over a mere mortal so he cursed them into Mount Santubong and Mount Sejinjang. The broken pieces of Sejinjang’s head scattered into the sea and become small islands which include Pulau Kerak (Monkey Island), Pulau Satang (Satang Island) and others.
“Art is for us to be happy, and it’s a kind of therapy for ourselves,” says Ibnoo before adding: “I like the philosophy behind naїve art.There’s so much beauty out there and naїve art is one way of showing beauty in its purest form.”