Mazeli Mat Som (b. 1938-1990) was largely a self-taught artist. A protégé of Dato’ Hoessein Enas, Mazeli received formal training from him during their time together in Angkatan Pelukis Semenanjung (APS), a Kuala Lumpur-based art group, founded by Hoessein in 1956. As stylistic variety continued to flourish in the local art scene, Mazeli maintained his representational approach towards painting and eventually went on to take over as President of the collective in the 1970s. In 2015, Mazeli Mat Som’s work was included in a group exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, entitled Jelitawan, along with works from his wife Hamidah Suhaimi, mentor Hoessein Enas, and fellow artist Nora Abdullah.