LOT 47
Khalil Ibrahim
B. Kelantan, 1934
Untitled, 1979
Signed and dated “Khalil Ibrahim 79” on lower left
Acrylic on canvas
140 x 179 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Illustrated on page 180 of “KHALIL IBRAHIM The Art Journey” exhibition book
Published in 2015 by KL Lifestyle Art Space
RM 120,000 – RM 180,000
Khalil Ibrahim has always been so fascinated with the human figure. It is a recurrent theme, and it is Khalil’s hallmark, apart from depictions of the East Coast.
These East Coast “shadows” are an employment of vibrant and vivacious strips of colour set against equally vibrant blues. Khalil’s penchant for the human body is exhibited – he paints the curves, contours and forms in various colours. It is a compelling piece, with these mysterious, slender shadows gracefully across the canvas, In entirety, this piece is reminiscent of wayang kulit. Incidentally, Khalil stirred his talent and passion for the arts when he began making wayang kulit as a young boy.
Khalil Ibrahim graduated from the prestigious St. Martin’s School of Art & Design, United Kingdom in 1964. Thereafter, he became a full-time artist and has been so for fifty years now. He has held solo and group exhibitions in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Switzerland, with most of his works center around figures and are heavily influenced by East Coast fishermen and women.