LOT 54
SYED AHMAD JAMAL, DATUK
B. Johor, 1929 – 2011
Study for Public Sculpture, June 1999
Ink and colour on paper
28.5 x 40 cm
Private Collection, Singapore
Signed and dated on lower right. Illustrated on page 47 in the “777, Celebrating 7 Illustrious Years at KLAS” coffee table book published by KLAS in February 2019
RM 15,000 – 28,000
This Study for Public Sculpture (1999) offers a rare glimpse into the creative process of Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal, Malaysia’s National Art Laureate and a pioneering figure in Southeast Asian abstraction. Executed in ink and colour on paper, the work exemplifies Jamal’s mastery in translating conceptual ideas into visual form, serving as a preparatory sketch for one of his public art commissions. Jamal’s contributions to Malaysian art are profound. Educated at esteemed institutions such as the Chelsea School of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he brought international modernist sensibilities to local narratives. His works often intertwine cultural symbolism with abstract expression, reflecting his deep engagement with Malaysian identity and spirituality. This particular study not only showcases his technical prowess but also his role in shaping Malaysia’s public art landscape. As a former Director of the National Art Gallery and an influential educator, Jamal’s legacy is evident in both his artworks and his contributions to art institutions.