LOT 17
NORMA ABBAS, PUAN SRI
(B. Kuala Lumpur, 1951)
Untitled, 1991
Signed and dated “Norma Abbas 91” on lower left
Mixed media and collage on paper
50 x 78 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Singapore
SOLD – RM 8,960
Puan Sri Norma Abbas’ choice of colours may give the impression of a mysterious and convoluted atmosphere and motif, but they are even more sophisticated once inspected in detail. It is impossible to decode the message at first glance despite the loud, booming colours that inundate this piece. Her works are often social interactions, especially among women and human relationships with family, relatives and close friends.
“The paintings on the wall are all about my family and people I am in contact with. I wait for the point of contact, that candid moment… I capture it in my heart and I go home and paint… I find the raw being very direct. That’s why I like lovely raw colours. I do mix my colours but I still go back to the raw and pure every time… I find using collage gives life to what to interpret. It makes my figures breathe life.”
Part and parcel of her works are also emotional insights, cheeky humour and the combination of printmaking techniques such as this collage piece.
Puan Sri Norma Abbas graduated from Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Alam in Art and Design in 1968. Thereafter, she studied at the Manchester Polytechnic in 1972 and Chelsea School of Art in London.