Dzulkifli Buyong - Hantu

ADD TO ALBUMS

Hantu

1984

With his trademark child-like sensibility, Dzulkifli Buyong captures the mischief and playfulness of childhood through the particularity and charm of the everyday. This vibrant painting, which also touches on the tradition of spirits in Malay folklore and myths, depicts three children in the domestic setting of a bedroom. Two children, presumably siblings, are portrayed lying on a bed while a third child, draped in a yellow kain pelikat with only eyes peeking through, stands above them pretending to be a ghost (hantu) to scare them. As he hovers over the two siblings, the girl peeks cautiously through her blanket while her younger brother clings to her in fright. The bright colours of their attire, highlighted through different plaid and floral patterns, draws the attention of the eye and places emphasis on the subject of children at play, against a simple, straightforward composition. Proportions are drawn slightly exaggerated to emphasise on posture and bring a nuance of elegance to the painting; this thin and elongated stylisation of human figures is an influence of the Wednesday Art Group, where stylistic similarities can be seen in the work of the artist Patrick Ng Kah Onn.

Details

Medium:

Oil on wood

Dimension:

135.5 x 80 cm

Date:

1984

Credit Line:

Collection of ILHAM Foundation

About Dzulkifli Buyong

Dzulkifli Buyong (1948-2004) was born in Kuala Lumpur. A self-taught artist and leading member of art collective Wednesday Art Group, his work mainly focuses on the theme of Malaysian children at play to celebrate the joy and innocence of childhood across everyday contexts that were often imbued with a sense of community. Buyong was hailed as a child prodigy and won several accolades across nationwide art competitions from the age of 14. From 1961 to 1965, he studied at the Victoria Institution under the tutelage of fellow Malaysian artist Patrick Ng. He participated in various exhibitions during those years under the group, the Arts Council as well as at the National Art Gallery. In the late 1960s, he was sent to Japan to train for three years. His work was also exhibited abroad twice as part of the Contemporary Art of Asia and Exhibition of Malaysian Art for Australia in 1965. In 1991, he participated in the Open Show organised by the National Art Gallery Malaysia.

MORE INFO

Share