Lot 035
Ismail Mat Hussin
b. Kelantan, 1938 – d. 2015
Gasing, 2007
signed and dated ‘ISMAIL MAT HUSSIN 2007’
(lower right)
batik
74 x 89cm
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Kuala Lumpur
ESTIMATE RM 20,000 – 35,000
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Ismail Mat Hussin, although self-taught, was adept with the human anatomy – the postures, gestures, action and the cultural pastimes and occupations of the ordinary people, especially in his home State in Kelantan. Top-spinning contests are still popular in Kelantan with the contestants using over-sized tops that can weigh up to 5kg! The tops are made of wood or hard fruit, iron and lead. Although the younger generation does not have the patience to master the skills of top-spinning, the Kelantan Gasing Uri Association has been trying hard to preserve this tradition even beyond Malaysian shores.
Self-taught artist Ismail Mat Hussin learnt watercolours from school-teacher Nik Mahmood in school (Padang Garong) in 1954-1955 and later from Khalil Ibrahim. He boasted of a Grade V certificate in violin from the Royal School of Music (London) and worked part-time as a musician at Radio Televisyen Malaysia Kota Bharu. From 1979 to 1991, he worked as a graphic designer cum illustrator for Syarikat Percetakan Dian in Kota Bharu. Ismail joined the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia and the Persatuan Senilukis Kelantan (Peseni). |