LOT 59
AWANG DAMIT AHMAD
(B. Sabah, 1956)
EOC Pilatong, 1993
Signed, titled and dated “E.O.C PILATONG Awang 93”
on bottom of paper
Mixed media on paper
76 x 57 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
SOLD – RM 28,320
The bold and strong style of Awang Damit Ahmad makes a reappearance in this piece, this time taking a resilient, symbolic form.
This piece by Awang Damit Ahmad is heavy with emotion. One can tell that it is a very emotional painting, as the emotions inspire the harsh brush strokes and the bold and forceful colours seem to interest the viewers from the first look.
As an artist who finds inspirations from his childhood memories and reminiscing of the past, manifesting itself on the canvas in a cloud of whites and grey which effectively gives it a nostalgic feel. The whites could represent the flashbacks, and it is slowly tarnished by the harsh blacks, greys and reds, unremittingly ruining the spotlessness of the whites – various emotions that come to the artist’s mind and soul when recollecting the memory.
Born and brought up in Kuala Penyu, Sabah, he spent most of his teen years learning painting from various artists whilst traveling around the state. He initially came to Selangor to work as a technician for Telekom Malaysia, but found that art was something he truly was passionate about. He eventually left the telecommunications company, and took his Diploma in Fine Arts in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Masters Degree in the United States. A painting of his, Nyanyian Petani Gunung, won the 1991 Salon Malaysia Award. PETRONAS bought it and is, until this day, exhibited at the gallery. The NHB of Singapore has two pieces in their collection by Awang Damit Ahmad, namely ‘EOC II’ and ‘Nyanyian Petani Gunung’.