LOT 49
ISMAIL ZAIN
B. Kedah, 1930 – 1991
Untitled I & II, 1985
Both signed and dated “Ismail Zain 85” on lower right
Artist, medium, and dimension inscribed on the verso
Acrylic on canvas
46 x 46 cm x 2 pieces
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 3,500 – RM 7,000
It’s no secret why legendary artist, Ismail Zain is highly regarded in the artistic community in Malaysia. The Kedah born artist was a visionary who had no qualms about challenging conventional artistic views. Untitled I & II is distinguishable from Ismail’s use of ornate and floral motifs that moved away from the conventional Malay/Islamic art influence – a mainstream topic at the time. Elements from his early works “On a Clear Day You Can See Quinlin Mountains from Terrenganu, 1983” is evident in these works featuring a dark blue centre decorated with orchids in varied blue hues, light gold butterflies and white vines and leaves in the centre in a silhouette form. The outer layer f the oval work features a unique colour contrast of blue in Untitled I and red in Untitled II.