LOT 85
AWANG DAMIT AHMAD
B. Sabah, 1956
Garis Mega “Dalam Cahaya dan Bayang…”, 2017
Mixed media on canvas
182.5 x 243 cm
Artist’s name, title, medium, size, and year inscribed on the verso. Also signed by artist on the verso
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 135,000 – 220,000
Awang Damit Ahmad’s Garis Mega “Dalam Cahaya dan Bayang…” is a compelling work from one of Malaysia’s most celebrated contemporary artists, exemplifying his mastery of abstraction and his deeply personal visual language. Executed in mixed media, the composition is an intricate interplay of layered textures, gestural marks, and atmospheric tones, where sweeping lines and organic forms emerge and recede between light and shadow. The title, which translates as “In Light and Shadow…”, alludes to the dualities of existence between presence and absence, revelation and concealment inviting viewers into a contemplative space where meaning unfolds through intuition rather than representation. The richly textured composition reflects his continual dialogue between chaos and order, materiality and spirituality, resulting in a work of remarkable depth and emotional resonance.
Born in Sabah in 1956, Awang Damit Ahmad is internationally recognised for his expressive abstract paintings that draw inspiration from the landscapes, cultures, and lived experiences of Borneo. A recipient of numerous prestigious accolades, including the Major Award at the Bakat Muda Sezaman in 1990, he has represented Malaysia at major exhibitions and biennales worldwide. Throughout his career, Awang has developed a distinctive vocabulary of layered surfaces, gestural calligraphy, and symbolic motifs that transcend literal narrative while remaining deeply rooted in memory, identity, and place.