Lot 036
UMIBAIZURAH MAHIR@ISMAIL
b. Johor, 1975
UNTOUCHABLE VII, 2009
Handpainted tin sculpture mounted on woodblock
36cm x 44.5cm x 14cm
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Kuala Lumpur.
ESTIMATE RM 5,000 - 7,000
PRICE REALISED RM 6,050 |
Umibaizurah, or better known as Umi, has re-invented ceramic art into forms of caricature, showcase toys, Malay ornaments and also miniature mobile sculptures. In a way, they could be prescribed as the Malay rendition of the famed Russian Faberge eggs. Her whimsical toy-like sculptures are results of repeated processes of casting, firing, glazing, staining and layering, and often act as symbols reflecting human desire, cultural values, consumerism, spirituality and transformation. More importantly, her works duels with personal yet universal issues of feminism and environment with unique sensitivity that stands out in this male-dominated field. ‘I regard clay as a vehicle for communication between religion and people and across cultures,’ says Umi. ‘For me it provides a means for constantly evaluating our place in our time.’
First exhibited in her 2009 solo called Hybrid at the Wei-Ling Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, her works which she called Gerabek toys also come with a pedestal. The Untouchable series is inspired by the artist’s childhood experience where she was often warned by her mother not to touch young plants to avoid stunted growth. Drawing parallels between the themes of femininity and nature, it alludes to the exploitation and ill-treatment of women, raising
questions and awareness on gender issues.
Graduated from UiTM (Universiti Teknologi MARA), Umi is one of the country’s most important ceramicists who consistently push beyond conventional boundaries of ceramics within a contemporary framework. She represented Malaysia in the 2009 Jakarta Ceramics Biennale. She was among the Top 10 Winners of The Young Contemporaries 2006 by the National Art Gallery, Malaysia and was awarded Top 5 Winners for her collaboration with children in making clay sculpture at the Tokoname City Culture Hall, Aichi, Japan. Umi’s works are collected by various institutions and private collectors including National Visual Arts Gallery, Malaysia, Petronas Gallery, Malaysia and Asia Arts Network Seoul, Korea.
|