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Extended by Popular Demand! Pemain Wayang - An Exhibition of Paintings by Mohd Hairi Yaakub
27 September to 10 November 2004

NEWS RELEASE (BM version)

25 September 2004 sees the opening of a remarkable solo exhibition of paintings by Hairi Yaakub. Entitled “Pemain Wayang” or “Shadow Player” the exhibition is to be held at Badan Warisan Malaysia, and launched by YBhg Datin Amar Elizabeth Moggie.

Following the notable success of his exhibitions “Two Views” and “Let Me Speak”, “Pemain Wayang” shows Hairi further exploring figure studies in oil and acrylic.

Of Hairi’s most recent work the cultural historian Peter Davidson, Regius Professor at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland has written, “The images are astonishingly strong and play interestingly with an expressionist style not very visible in Europe at the moment. He can draw, which is the highest compliment. There is a great sense of smouldering anger. These are fascinating paintings.” Indeed, Professor Davidson has now acquired one of Hairi’s works.

Central to “Pemain Wayang” is the painting entitled ‘Ravana’, depicting the heart of darkness: the shadow of evil that lies across the human soul.

At a first glance, the painting simply shows a man. A second glance reveals the baleful image of Ravana hovering at his shoulder – an evil spirit from Indian mythology, and a key figure in Malay Wayang Kulit theatre. Ravana is a force both within and outside the man – an evil he cannot control. For the moment both figures are still – the demon inactive, the man impassive. The evil is latent.

The man is at once exposed and concealed. He is naked, yet his eyes are hidden. This introduces a second theme: that of alienation. As we look at the man, we are aware that there is no communication, no interaction. Alienated from his environment, the man lives in an introverted world peopled by nightmares – a world whose violence threatens us. Disturbing and haunted, this shadow-play between man and demon poses a question. How soon will the puppet take control of the man and the man become the puppet?

Significantly, the sinister figure of Ravana is dimly present in many of the paintings.

As in Hairi’s previous exhibition at at Badan Warisan Malaysia, “Let Me Speak”, in “Pemain Wayang” many of the figures have their eyes obscured. In some cases, the whole head is cut off by the edge of the painting. These are emphatically portraits of men with something to hide. Isolation and betrayal are at the heart of Hairi’s message.

Though there is a common theme running through the exhibition, the painting express a variety of moods, from supressed fury to a dream-like calm recalling some of the more extraordinary works of the Austrian master Gustav Klimt. One of the most interesting aspects of “Pemain Wayang” is that several of the paintings depict two figures, or rather the same figure painted two different ways, expressing different aspects of the same personality.

“Pemain Wayang” is an intense and truthful study of the shadows that lurk in the human heart, expressed with remarkable power, sensitivity and beauty.

Born in 1973 in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Mohd Hairi b Yakuub is a Bachelor of Fine Art of Universiti Teknologi MARA. His achievements include the following.

· Hairi was one of the selected artists for Philip Morris Malaysian ASEAN award 2003

· In 2003-4, Hairi had works exhibited at Valentine Willie, Artalk Gallery, Metro Fine Art and Town House Gallery.

· Hairi’s previous solo exhibition was “Let Me Speak”, held at Badan Warisan Malaysia in October 2002.

· In 2002, Hairi participated in the National Art Gallery’s ‘Open Show 2002’ (his painting being bought by a Dutch collector).

· Hairi has participated in an ‘Arts for Health’ programme at Selayang Hospital organised by the British Council and TABS Creative Projects Sdn Bhd. The objective of the programme was to create a better sense of well-being in the hospital.

· Hairi has undertaken commissions for Shell Malaysia, for IKIM (Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia), and for private collectors.

Exhibition hours
Monday – Saturday 10.00 am – 5.30 pm
Closed Sunday and public holidays

Contact:

Badan Warisan Malaysia 03 - 2144 9273

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