LOT 90
KHALIL IBRAHIM
B. Kelantan, 1934 – 2018
East Coast Series, Figures 17, 1992
Acrylic on canvas
95 x 102.5 cm
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Signed and dated “Khalil Ibrahim 92” on lower right. Signed, titled with year and dimensions on the verso
RM 50,000 – 90,000
A vibrant testament to movement, colour, and human connection, Figures 17 from 1992 by Khalil Ibrahim exemplifies the artist’s masterful ability to distil the essence of communal life into dynamic, abstracted forms. Executed in acrylic on canvas, the composition pulsates with rhythmic energy as elongated figures rendered in luminous blues and layered with rich violets, greens, and ochres interact within a kaleidoscopic landscape. Khalil Ibrahim, celebrated for his evocative portrayals of East Coast Malaysian life, moves here beyond strict figuration into a more expressive, semi abstract language. The figures, faceless yet animated, suggest a shared narrative, perhaps a scene of daily labour or communal gathering imbued with a sense of unity and quiet vitality. His intuitive handling of colour and overlapping planes creates both depth and motion, inviting the viewer to navigate the painting as a living, breathing environment.