Lot 15
ISMAIL MAT HUSSIN
B. Kelantan, 1938 – 2015
Wau Bulan, 1980s
Signed “Ismail Mat Hussin” on lower right
Batik
52 x 67 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 18,000 – RM 25,000
Ismail Mat Hussin was born in Pantai Sabak, Kota Bharu, Kelantan in 1938. At the early age of 12, he developed an interest in painting and became a full-time artist in 1968. Known for being able to express the narrative of the life in the rural living through combination of warm tones and earthy hues, the Wau Bulan is a display of his trademark.
Skilfully using the batik medium, Ismail Mat Hussin illustrates men gathering and working together to build traditional Malay kites, famously known as wau. The artist’s works are easy to distinguish – by fine crackling of the batik. Warm shades give the painting a sunset feel as if the men are building th wau on a sandy beach while bold textures and visuals captivate,bringing the work to life.