LOT 33
AHMAD ZAKII ANWAR
B. Johor, 1955
Still Life, 2000
Signed and dated “Ahmad Zakii Anwar 00” on lower right
Signed and dated “Ahmad Zakii Anwar 29.5.00” on the reverse
Oil on canvas
69 x 69 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
lllustrated in Christie’s Hong Kong (29 May 2016) Asian Contemporary Art Day Sale (Sale 12516) catalogue – Lot 195
SOLD
RM 34,943.20
This painting is very straightforward, it is a depiction of a still-life image done with Orientalist techniques, and is beautiful on its own.
“Strong, arresting and unpretentious” – those were the words that The Herald Tribune used to describe Zakii’s works. His works are much coveted, and have always been known to be “loud” and almost forceful and compelling. This piece from the Still Life Series started with influences from the Orientalist techniques. With an air of enigma and darkness teamed with a flair for the arts, Zakii created this masterpiece. “The concept of art-making has not changed for me,” said Zakii, “I need to get excited about a subject and “feel” it in order to paint it. The result must be subliminal, to reach a state of one-ness with whatever that I’m going to create.”
Ahmad Zakii was born in 1955 in Johor. Beginning his career as a graphic artist after graduating from MARA Insitute Technology of Malaysia, he focused on advertising. Later on, he delved into fine arts, notably known for his strikingly realistic portraits and paintings. He is one of the most accomplished Malaysian artists, both locally and internationally.