LOT 61
RAPHAEL SCOTT AHBENG
B. Sarawak, 1939
Seraya, 2012
Signed and dated “Rafin 11” on lower right
Oil on board
45 x 30 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Illustrated on page 31 of “Eastern Horizon by Raphael Scott AhBeng” exhibition catalogue
Published in 2014 by KL Lifestyle Art Space
SOLD – RM 1,680
This striking and distinctive piece by Raphael Scott AhBeng is an ode to the majestic Seraya rainforest tree.
Easily reaching 30-45 meters in height, this piece gives the impression that the viewer is gazing upwards at the tree, watching the old leaves of the mature tree, with the light streaks of blue hinting at the clear skies above. The dominating browns and earthy colours give this piece warmth while staying true to Raphael’s subject matter, he sinewy lines that extend throughout the canvas represent the branches of the beautiful Seraya tree, wild and untamed as Nature herself. Having grown up in Sarawak, Raphael keeps nature close to his heart, and such devotion is often translated into his pieces, as seen in this one.
Raphael Scott AhBeng, a Bidayuh, hails from Sarawak and is one of the most prominent Borneo artists. He attended Bath Academy of Art in Britain, where he studied Art and Photography. He won the First Prize for the Sarawak Shell Open art competition in 1959, 1982 and 1983 Third Prize in the Natural Malaysia art competition in Kuala Lumpur in 1991.