Art Detail | Ilham Gallery
The Philosopher Eater
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The Philosopher Eater
2009

Samsudin Wahab’s paintings are often a mix of fantasy, imagination and reactions to current affairs — drawn from his daily habit of reading newspapers. In particular, Samsudin concentrates on issues of conspiracy, social power, and governmental control over the masses. While he may be inspired by popular culture and global events, his work also regularly draws from his childhood experiences in Semanggol, Perak, where he was first exposed to politics and where, at school, he became a Prefect Librarian in order to gain access to books.

Details
Medium:
Oil, acrylic, bitumen and frame on canvas
Dimension:
76 x 56 cm
Date:
2009
Credit Line:
Collection of ILHAM Foundation
Copyright:
© Samsudin Wahab
About Samsudin Wahab

Samsudin majored in printmaking, graduating in 2007 with a BFA (Hons) Fine Arts from UiTM, Shah Alam. His work, mostly in painting, but also in sculpture and performance, is a mixture of fantasy and reality, and the artist often draws references from his daily habit of reading newspapers. Samsudin has long been interested in conspiracy, social power, and governmental control over the masses. He has said that when young he was spurred by an escapist’s love for mafia films and television series such as Prison Break. He grew up in Semanggol, Perak, where he became a Prefect Librarian in school less because of the role, but rather to gain access to books. He has exhibited widely in Malaysia, including his solo, Enough! (2008). In 2009, Samsudin was granted the Rimbun Dahan 15th Australia-Malaysia Visual Arts Residency and was the winner of the Malaysia Emerging Artist (MEA) Award.