Lot 19
ISMAIL MAT HUSSIN & KWAN CHIN
B. Kelantan, 1938 & B. Kuala Lumpur, 1946
Kota Bharu Market, 1990 – 2017
Signed and dated “Ismail Mat Hussin, Kwan Chin 2014” on lower right
Batik
121.5 x 132 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 12,000 – RM 18,000
Ismail Mat Hussin and Kwan Chin are two pioneers who stand shoulder to shoulder among legends and are synonymous with the batik Malaysian batik painting scene. Both, Ismail and Kwan Chin ventured into batik almost during the same period, 1960’s and 70’s. “Kota Bahru Market” (1990 to 2017) is a masterpiece forged by the artistic brilliance of both Ismail and Kwan Chin respectively. It’s almost as if it is meant to be that two artists who share the same fervour for batik painting and who catapulted into the art scene at almost the same
period would collaborate on this painting. This painting in its inception, was a mere drawing on a batik fabric, executed by Ismail in its totality in the 1990’s and was left unfinished. Seeing the need to bring life to his work, Ismail agreed for his work to be completed by Kwan Chin. Kwan Chin, in his figurative style added his flavour and his niche of using vibrant, contrasting colours to the painting, which highlighted Ismail’s drawing of the rural setting in Kota Bahru. The result is a distinct, aesthetically-pleasing and heart-warming painting that evokes nostalgia among its viewers.