LOT 54
AWANG DAMIT AHMAD
B. Sabah, 1956
Marista Series – Essence of the Past II, 2000
Signed, dated and captioned on verso
Mixed media on canvas
125 x 110 cm
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 50,000 – RM 90,000
The title hints at what this painting might be about. Different shapes and forms are scattered all over the canvas, with a space largely consisting of various colours such as red, grey, beige and white takes precedence over the rest of the objects. Those familiar with Awang Damit’s work are provided with the knowledge that his works are inspired by his memories, most of which are scattered, symbolic and garlanded with numerous emotions. Even this series, dubbed ‘Marista’ means “to talk about the past” in Brunei’s Malay language. This is a piece about broken and lost memories, one that is strewn around a grey area, as bits and pieces only remain.