Lot 89 | 29 May 2022

 

 

LOT 89

YUSOF GHANI

B. Johor, 1950

Siri Biring XXX, 2006

Charcoal and acrylic on linen
Illustrated on page 70 of “Biring: Yusof Ghani, A Malaysian Master” exhibition book published in 2006

127 x 97 cm

Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur

RM 90,000 – RM 120,000

Yusof Ghani was born in 1950 in Johor and used to frequent a small movie theater as a young boy, where he developed a predisposition towards painting. He received a scholarship to study art at George Mason University, USA, where he studied Graphic Art and proceeded to pursue his Master’s in Fine Art at Catholic University, Washington. Upon returning to Malaysia, he began lecturing in Universiti MARA Institute of Technology. Most notably known for Abstract Expressionism, his other popular series are Topeng, Wayang, Segerak and Biring.

This Biring masterpiece by the maestro illustrates a flurry of glowing yellows and brown gestural strokes painted on linen, portrays another haunting painting of cockfights. It is disordered, aggressive and he expresses this extraordinarily well with harsh brushstrokes, demonstrating the tension, chaos and hostility of this act as the roosters fight valiantly for their lives.The artist manages to create motion in this scene, as the audience can imagine feathers and wings beating around in fast motion. Biring departs from Yusof Ghani’s paintings of masks, forms and nature as he concentrates on cockfighting, using it as a symbol of courage and conflict among Man.