Lot 31
NAJIB AHMAD BAMADHAJ
b. Johor, 1987
FRAGILE, 2011
Signed ‘Najib Ahmad' on reverse
Mixed media on plank
105cm x 136.5cm
PROVENANCE
Collection of Mr. Loh Yee Min, Kuala Lumpur
ESTIMATE RM 3,500 - 5,000
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Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj completed his Diploma of Fine Art from UiTM Melaka in 2008 after which he attained a Bachelor of Fine Art from UiTM Shah Alam in 2010. The artist describes his work as a representation of the concept of a wall. These pictorial walls appear to have been graffitied and also bring to mind ancient cave paintings. His works are a blending of two images - the wall as a central image with his chosen icons covering it.
Najib has taken part in a multitude of exhibitions among which are ‘Endangered’ at Taksu in 2011 and ‘HIMPUN’ at National Art Gallery Malaysia in 2010. Najib also has many awards and achievements under his belt. The most significant being the finalist of the Malaysia Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) Art Awards held by National Art Gallery Malaysia in 2008, First Prize in Tanjong Heritage Art Competition in Kuala Lumpur in 2010 and most recently a finalist in the Visual Art Awards held by Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in 2011.
Part of Najib’s series of works in a two-man show at Taksu in 2011 entitled ‘Endangered’, this piece focuses on imagery of lions which appear to be graffiti-like in nature and is consistent with his recurrent themes of walls in his artworks. Lions are symbolic of power and pride as well as royalty. The title of the piece, Fragile, stenciled across the work in red, is at odds with the icons Najib has chosen, and leads us to consider the state of these endangered animals today. Despite being rulers of the wild kingdom, they appear to be caged and forlorn, reflecting the fact that despite their power in the natural world, lions now exist in a fragile state thanks to the effect of humanities own greed and hunger for expansion, resulting in them being emasculated and objectified by being put in zoos.
EXHIBITED
Endangered, Taksu Gallery, Kuala Lumpur 2011
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