Lot 06
SHAFIQ ALI'AM
b. Perak, 1984
REPLACEMENT, 2009
Fibre, mechanical parts, metal, hose tube, stainless steel,
electronic LED and cast iron
80cm x 40cm x 98cm
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Kuala Lumpur
ESTIMATE RM 3,200 - 4,200
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A 2007 UITM graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Art in sculpture, Syafiq Al’iam won the Dean Award from UiTM for 3 consecutive years in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and was a finalist in the Nokia Creative Arts Award in 2005. Distinctive, memorable and cutting edge, Syafiq’s work uses machinery and contraptions that are recognisable in daily contemporary life, while also posing the possibilities of future mechanics.
An active participant in the Malaysian art scene as an emerging artist and writer as well as curator, he has had numerous exhibitions in Malaysia since 2003, exhibiting at Threesixty Art Development Studio, Kebun Mimpi Gallery, and RA Fine Arts to name a few. His latest exhibitions include ‘Overlooked’ at an international contemporary art exhibition held by Taksu Kuala Lumpur, ‘IMCAS’ (Iskandar Malaysia Contemporary Art Show) at Danga City Mall and ‘Unfolding’ at RA Fine Arts all in 2009.
In this mixed media sculpture, we see an invention with robotic legs that resemble feet and human appendages but with a distinctly non-human ‘head’. This pairing of technology with humanistic elements raises the question of how machines relate to us on a daily basis and also alludes to the increasing reliance humanity has on machinery and technology today. An amalgamation of technology and art, Syafiq’s work holds certain functionality and portrays recent history in popular culture. He references robots, comics, science fiction films and childhood toys, demonstrating the infinite possibilities of art and imagination as well as current contemporary fascinations with the blending of man and machine. The work brings to mind questions about the future, our take on industrial progress and how we can balance environment, culture, tradition and heritage with technological advancement.
EXHIBITED
Outerinter X: Awaken of the Device, Threesixty Art Development
Studio, 2009, illustrated in catalogue.
ar.ti. facts, Light Editions, Singapore (by Galeri Chandan), 2011.
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