15 local artists showcase their talents at Sabah art exhibition
Fifteen local artists recently concluded their successful Gurisan Subarang exhibition at Azman Hashim Gallery, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia showcasing over 80 art pieces that spanned various genres from landscape to abstract.
The exhibition, a collaboration between Creative Space and Galeri Azman Hashim Gallery, aimed to introduce Bruneian artists’ works to Sabah and serve as a platform for cultural exchange.
Gurisan Subarang is inspired by the art of engraving, where a sharp tool is used to create designs on materials like metal, glass or stone.
The term incorporates the Bruneian word subarang, meaning “across” or “from abroad”, reflecting the theme of bridging cultures and sharing ideas with a wider audience.
Visitors were pleasantly surprised by the diversity of Bruneian art, particularly the use of sago and ambut in abstract paintings, which highlighted the similarities and differences between Bruneian and Sabahan cultures and landscapes.
The exhibition received acclaim for its expressive strokes and profound insights, showcasing the talent of established artists known for exhibiting both locally and internationally.
DATO HAINI HASHIM
A local painter renowned for his unique style blending oil and acrylic paints, he made history as the first Bruneian awarded Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
As Brunei’s ambassador to Russia, he exhibited at prestigious galleries like Zurab Tsereteli and Darwin Museum, showcasing his masterpiece Sunset at Brunei River, which won acclaim at the International Exhibition and World Art.
With over 50 years of experience, his mesmerising works focus on nature, scenic, and abstract themes, reflecting his lifelong dedication to artistry.
MALEK METARSAT
Graduating from the Kent Institute of Art and Design (KIAD) in 1994, the artist draws inspiration from human-caused disasters and the beauty of nature. He expresses these contrasting themes by depicting images on surfaces like pavements, footpaths, ponds, and rivers, aiming to convey both serenity and distress.
Through experimenting with different mediums and perspective rules, he creates textured, colourful images that reflect the atmosphere of his memories, showcasing his ongoing exploration and expression in his art.
AWANG SITAI
He obtained a diploma and degree in fine arts from the United Kingdom (UK) and then returned to Brunei to work as a designer for the national broadcasting station, Radio Television Brunei (RTB) and eventually became Chief Designer for RTB.
Awang Sitai, who was one of the pioneers who established the Brunei Artists Association in 1975, has exhibited his artworks with famous international associations and institutions including The London Group in the UK, the Fukuoka Art Museum in Japan, the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI) and more.
KASSIM ISMAIL
Has been active in the field of art since the 1970s and became a full-time artist after retiring in 2019. His artwork consists of various themes – landscape, nature and current issues – that touch on environmental destruction.
Recently, he tends to produce semi-abstract paintings that focus on local culture, memories, socio-economics, environmental issues and social life. Art is self-expression that he believes is a vehicle for conveying thoughts and feelings.
PENGIRAN TIMBANG
An artist who attributes his skills and unique art style to his persistence in teaching himself.
His works have been exhibited in various local and international art museums and won the Jury’s Choice four times in the Philip Morris Brunei Art Awards in the 1990s to 2000s.
His works consist of mixed medium experimental expressions. From ink to paint, wood to metal and brushstrokes to collage, he is obsessed with finding new ways to create and express his interpretation of the world around him.
ADI ZAIN
He became active in art training in the mid-1980s and worked under the Museums Department in the 1990s as a specialist in diorama painting before moving to the Language and Literature Bureau in 2002.
His artwork has been awarded the Jury’s Choice three times in the Philip Morris Brunei Art Award, leading to exhibitions in various ASEAN countries in 1995, 1996, and 2004.
Adi has participated in several international art exhibitions, workshops, talks and symposiums, and received the Excellence Award at the Shanghai International Contemporary Art Exhibition and Workshop in 2017.
ZAKARIA OMAR
He is constantly inspired by the beauty and “mystery” of his surroundings, with most of his paintings drawing from his own experiences. They reflect the struggles, triumphs, and ambiguities inherent in the human experience, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys.
ZAKARIA HAMID
Retired lecturer from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Zakaria Hamid believes that everything in the world possesses energy akin to the stars and the sun – some strong, some soft. He posits those with such power aspire to reach the universe.
PENGIRAN KAMAROL ZAMAN
As a graphic designer and illustrator, he has distinguished himself in national and international exhibitions with his abstract expressionist paintings. His work represented Brunei in exhibitions like 36 Ideas from Asia, a European travelling exhibition organised by the Singapore Art Museum (1999-2002).
This exhibition travelled to prestigious venues such as the Rupertinum Museum of Modern Art in Salzburg, Austria; the Kuppersmuhle Summlung Gothe Museum in Duisburg, Germany; and L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy.
PENGIRAN WAHAB HASSAN
Earned a degree in interdisciplinary human studies, majoring in philosophy and social psychology, from the University of Bradford in 1985, and a master’s in cadastre and land reform from the University of East London in 1997.
After retirement, he refocused his interests on drawing, reading and in touch with nature. As a reader, he interprets the language of nature and history to blend seamlessly into his artwork and he encapsulates these vivid impressions in abstract forms, from sculpture to portraiture to painting, with a leaning towards expressionism and impressionism.
OSMAN MOHAMMAD
An artist and designer, he graduated with a degree in three dimensional design from the Central School of Art and Design, London, in 1984. He also holds a diploma in theatre design from the same institution and an MBA obtained in 2000.
His art is showcased in Brunei and internationally, collected by institutions like the Brunei Museum, Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd and others in Singapore, India and beyond. He has exhibited widely across Asia and Europe, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, England, Japan, South Korea and China, participating in exhibitions, art camps, festivals and biennials.
DATO SOFRY
A senior Bruneian, who harboured a lifelong dream of becoming an artist, he only began pursuing his passion at the age of 46. Much of his artwork is inspired by his daily observations.
He has exhibited in Brunei and internationally, with a highlight being the 2004 exhibition An Exhibition of Cross-Cultural Paintings, where he displayed a painting depicting the collapse of the Twin Towers during the 9/11 attacks in New York.
HAJI PADZIL
He began painting actively during primary and secondary school, and his interest grew while working at the Brunei Museum Department.
He pursued painting there from 1975 until his promotion to exhibition officer in 2010. His favourite subjects are landscapes and nature, using various mediums like oil paint, watercolour and acrylic.
In 2022-2023, he participated in six local exhibitions, including a solo exhibition and exhibitions highlighting Brunei’s unity with Turkiye and Palestine.
PENGIRAN ROSLAN
His interest in painting began by watching his father create commissioned artworks at home. He participated in drawing competitions at the regional and national levels during primary and secondary school.
His painting style is realistic, focusing on landscapes and environments. He primarily uses acrylic and watercolour. He held solo exhibitions in 2004 at the Sheraton Hotel and in 2006 at UBD.
He has participated in various exhibitions since the early 2000s, including the Borneo Art Festival in Labuan, the ASEAN Geneva Exhibition in Switzerland, the Brunei-Japan Art Exhibition in Tokyo, the International Art Symposium in Luxor Cairo, Egypt, and the Art Symposium and Exhibition in Myanmar.
HAJI DAYANG
A veteran local artist, Haji Dayang, began his artistic journey by helping colour his mother’s siraung sketches in childhood. His talent emerged in primary school and grew during his studies at the Sixth Form Centre in Jalan Muara.
He then worked under RTB as a book illustrator, animator, graphic designer and fine artist for 33 years.
After retirement, he focused on landscape painting of Bruneian flora, fauna, heritage sites and portraits, winning numerous awards in art competitions and exhibitions.
He exhibited his latest artwork at the Pause and Rewind 2018 Exhibition organised by Art Gallery and Studio Angkasa Kreatif, aiming to reach a younger audience.
He has also participated in exhibitions like the French-Brunei Art Festival 2016 and the Brunei Darussalam Regatta 2015. – Lyna Mohamad
