LOT 67
ISMAIL MAT HUSSIN
B. Kelantan, 1938 – 2015
Wayang Kulit, 1980
Signed “Ismail Mat Hussin” on lower left
Batik
88 x 94 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 19,500 – RM 25,000
Ismail Mat Hussin, who learned from Malaysia’s art legend, Khalil Ibrahim shows that the student can indeed become the teacher. His works can be found in the art collections of the National Art Gallery Kuala Lumpur, Petronas, Bank Negara Malaysia, ESSO Malaysia and Maybank among others, including a clutch full of reputable individuals. They include N.A. Rahman, Tan Sri Abdullah Ayob, Muhammad Haji Salleh and Tan Sri Eric Chia.
In this piece, his trademark can be seen on every limb of his subjects where the muscles have a mosaic like texture. This impressive work was done on a batik which showcases a shadow puppet play. He relies on a single blue ton and creates depth with various hues that bring out the details in his work, making it a body of art that is easy to appreciate.