LOT 2
AHMAD ZAKII ANWAR
(B. Johor, 1955)
Spiderman, 1990s
Signed “Ahmad Zakii Anwar” on lower right
Titled and dated on verso
Mixed media and collage on news print
54 x 37 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
SOLD – RM 13,570
The artist began his career as a graphic artist, producing some of the leading advertising graphics of his time. From there, he continued to establish his name by converting to fine art where his techniques have been exemplary and world class. Zakii came to attention for his virtuosity and command of a spectrum of media from charcoals to oils, building a reputation for stunning photo-realist still-life paintings and expressive portraits. Later, a more contemporary edge surfaced in his works as Zakii introduced urban subjects and settings into his canvases.
He is lauded for capturing not just city motifs and urban features but also a distinctive psychological dimension and cinematic quality in these scenarios. Zakii’s preoccupation with the spiritual or metaphysical aspects of urban life, as seen through his use of icons, symbols and allegories (including metaphors of theatre, performance and masks) have also marked his practice – as seen in this piece, featuring a group of men and perhaps the artist’s childhood hero.