Painter talks about 30-year journey
KUALA LUMPUR: Arts enthusiasts got up close to some of Awang Damit Ahmad’s works when they attended a Q&A session with the painter at Galeri Prima at the Anjung Liku lobby in Balai Berita here yesterday.
The 90-minute-long session was held in conjunction with his 10th solo exhibition titled “From Payarama to Garismega: 20132020”, which was jointly organised by Galeri Prima and Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers.
The Sabah-born artist, 65, talked about his experience as an artist and the inspiration behind his latest art installation.
“The session is a great platform for me to share my experience with people, especially aspiring young artists.
“Although their journey may be different from my peers and mine, I want them to know that success does not come overnight and that there are challenges you have to endure.
“The situation may be challenging as the country is still battling the pandemic. Nevertheless, they should not give up easily and rush things to get rich and become famous.
“For example, it took me more than 30 years to be where I am. I’m finally able to reap the benefits of becoming an artist,” he said after the Q&A session.
At the same session, the father of six shared with attendees his plans, including a retrospective art exhibition of paintings produced between 1976 and 1978. He said he also wanted to do his next solo art exhibition within five or seven years.
“There are several ideas (for my next solo exhibition), but let it be a secret for now. When the time comes, I will start to isolate myself at the studio or some location and start working on my next arts.
“Having said that, the future is uncertain, but I am prepared (if my next paintings) would be my best or worst,” said Awang Damit, whose notable paintings include ‘Poskad Kepada Dunia’, which loosely translates to postcard to the world.
On the exhibition that will run until Wednesday, Awang Damit said 46 of 57 paintings at the event come under ‘Garismega’, which were inspired after a meeting with Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami.
‘Garismega’ is also inspired by Gundam, which is a military science-fiction media franchise popular from the Land of the Rising Sun.
“I started working on the sketches (for Garismega) when I was in Japan. However, I wanted to make it universal and appealing to Southeast Asians, especially in the Malaysian context.
“From there on, the concept of Gundam in the works evolved into the scarecrow that is reflected in my art pieces,” he said.
The exhibition also features the ‘Payarama’ collection comprising works from 2012 to 2016.
Awang Damit said Payarama is an expression in the Brunei Malay language, and the word is familiar among fishermen when they refer to the changes in the season.
From a Telekom Malaysia technician, Awang Damit took up art at the age of 27, when he was named Best Student (1983) at Universiti Teknologi Mara.
After obtaining a master’s degree at the Catholic University in Washington, the United States (1989-1990), he taught at his alma mater and retired in 2011 as associate professor.
He is a respected figure and considered to be one of the most consistent Malaysian painters in terms of the point of view, objectives, philosophy, style and subject in his works. He has earned accolades for his works.
The artworks in this exhibition are valued from RM28,000 to RM224,000 and they can be viewed at Galeri Prima, Balai Berita, 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. It is open from 10am to 5pm only by appointment.