In Innocent, the focus is on the white or albino tiger as a symbol of a rare and dying breed of animal species, a genetic mutation. The tiger has been hunted and killed in the wild for sheer lucre. Tigers are also a symbol of Malaya. Even among those few kept in captivity as conservation genetics show, one wonders if the act is noble or cruel, as it promotes inbreeding and blunts its killer instincts, as the ‘white’ fur already put it at a disadvantage because of camouflage problems. Only strict and empowering enforcement can challenge the rampant poaching that has depleted certain wildlife population to critical levels. The Tiger (虎) is the third of the 12 animals which appear in the shēng-xiāo (生肖) or the Chinese Zodiac. The 12 round circles of various colours have images from the different currency notes. It probably reflects the innocence of the Ringgit Malaysia currency fluctuation, sometimes due to the currency war between big countries, purposed invasion, or market manipulation.
Najib Ahmad Bamadhaj graduated with a BFA (Hons), majoring in Painting, from the Universiti ITM in 2010. He secured his Diploma from the Lendu, Malacca campus in 2008. His awards include the Malacca TYT Action Portrait (2007), finalist in the MRCB Art Award (2008), 2nd Prize in Johor Open (2009), 1st Prize in both the Tanjung Heritage and Nandos competitions (2010) and Visual Arts Award (National Art Gallery, 2011). His solos entitled Great Migration and Survival were held in Taksu in Kuala Lumpur (2012) and Singapore (2015) respectively. Najib was represented in Art Stage Singapore (2016, 2017), Art Kaohsiung (2015, 2016), Art Expo Malaysia (2013-2017) and the Gwangju Biennale (2016).