LOT 69
ISMAIL MAT HUSSIN
B. Kelantan, 1938-2015
Figure Study I & II, 1978
Signed and dated “Ismail Mat Hussin, 1978” on lower right
Pencil on paper
27 x 38 cm x 2 pieces
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 2,000 – RM 3,500
Sketching is a type of drawing that is done completely freehand. It is often a technique used to create initial representations of final drawings or designs. In some cases, however, artists will create final pieces, just by sketching – as seen with Ismail Mat Hussin. Here the audience gets a glimpse into the legendary artist’s first outlines before creating a masterpiece. Often, a sketch can tell so much about an artist’s vision and it is a privilege to be able to own one of the rawest pieces by Ismail Mat Hussin.
The artist, known for encapsulating the everyday life of the country people in the East Cost illustrates a group of village men going about their daily lives. The simplicity of the scene combined with the heavy detailing that Ismail Mat Hussin features are definitely something to behold, not only because of how paradoxical the combination may seem, but also because he manages to make something so common and modest be filled with depth and aesthetic value.
Ismail Mat Hussin was born in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. He developed an interest in batik at the mere age 12 years old and picked up his batik skills from well-known artist Khalil Ibrahim and art teacher Yusof Abdullah. His career began as a violinist for Radio Televisyen Malaysia Kota Bharu, but he left and decided to put his all into painting. Ismail’s painting’s can be found in various galleries, a few being PETRONAS, Bank Negara, ESSO, Maybank and the National Art Gallery of Kuala Lumpur.