Lot 50 | Auction XXI

LOT 50

Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj
B. Johor, 1987

Banksy Series “Worthless III”, 2010

Inscribed “NAJIB.AHMAD” on lower right

Signed, titled and dated on the reverse

Mixed media on canvas

122 x 122 cm

Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur

RM 5,000 – RM 8,000

It is often seen that the artist separates the surface and subject matter, opting instead to pull the viewer’s attention with the surface and materials used. Employing mixed media on canvas, this piece of artwork is eye grabbing and potent. The piece is interesting and infested with dark humour, as Najib pays homage to one of England’s well-known graffiti artist – Banksy. Banksy was a graffiti artist, political activist and a film director whose identity remains unknown until today. It is shown that an animal, dressed in disguise in attempt to break into a safe. A metal padlock is seen on this canvas, along with multiple door hinges – making this piece a surreal mix of reality and fantasy.

Najib Ahmad obtained his Diploma in Fine Art from UiTM Melaka and then went on to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art (Sculpture) in UiTM Shah Alam. He was the first prize winner in the Tanjong Heritage Art Competition (2010) and finalists for both the MRCB Art Awards (2008) and the Visual Arts Awards (2011). His first exhibition, Great Migration, was held in 2012.