Art Detail | Ilham Gallery
Pekaka
ADD TO ALBUMS
Pekaka
2006

In his research and experimentations, Raja Shahriman explored the similarities between his metalwork and those of the keris masters. His anthropomorphic sculptural style resonates with the early practices of the Jawa Demam keris hilt designs, which often incorporated figurative elements. The figurative forms eventually developed to resemble birds, thus forming the Pekaka design. Deploying the age-old metal working techniques of the traditional Malay weapon, Shahriman welds a bold figure in a low forward lunge, yet it is intricately executed, with twisted metal wrapped around like sinews and muscle strands on its limbs. 

Details
Medium:
Welded steel
Dimension:
45 x 69 x 48 cm
Date:
2006
Credit Line:
Collection of ILHAM Foundation
Copyright:
© Raja Shahriman
About Raja Shahriman

Raja Shahriman Bin Raja Aziddin (b. 1967, Kuala Kangsar, Perak) is best known for his ironwork – he is a master at transforming scrap metal into dynamic figures and forms. He majored in Sculpture in his studies at Mara University of Technology (1987 – 1989) and taught briefly at the Malaysian Institute of Art, Kuala Lumpur. In 1994, he returned to his hometown to learn the art of making keris. At present, Shahriman’s metal work spans two decades and encompasses multiple series - Killing Tools (1994), Gerak Tempur (1996), Gerak Tempur Peraliban (1997), Api, Bayangan & Kemenyan (1998), Semangat Besi (2001), Nafas (2004) and Langkah Hulubalang (2006). Raja Shahriman has received the Minor Award at the Salon Malaysia in 1991 and the AsiaPacific Cultural Industry Award in 2009. He has had solo exhibitions at Galeri PETRONAS, and National Art Gallery Malaysia.

Further Readings