Suhaimi Fadzir Description of Works as at 260713

© 2013 M&C Saatchi, Malaysia. Proprietary & Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
1
Suhaimi Fadzir
Works for M&C Saatchi 10th
Anniversary

2
SUHAIMI FADZIR
Biography
Suhaimi studied art and architecture at Washington University, St. Louis, USA in the 1980s,
and has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows worldwide.
He won the Dublin Biennial Award of Excellence in 2012, represented Malaysia at the 12th
and 13th Venice Biennale (Architecture), Venice, Italy in 2010 and 2012 and was selected
to participate in the Art Saint Louis Residency programs in the USA, and his work has been
collected in public and private collections in Malaysia, Korea, Ireland, China, USA,
Indonesia, Singapore, UK, Japan, Philippine, Spain, Uzbekistan, Germany and Mexico.
His art practice has displayed a consistently sculptural quality, and he developed the
concept of ‘archipainting’ – which blends fine art with the structural intricacies and spatial
deconstruction of architecture.
His mixed media works have included canvases daubed with found objects and covered in
unusual textures and materials, as well as installation work and sculpture. Much of
Suhaimi’s work makes use of, or is inspired by, found objects, which he collects extensively
both locally and on his travels around the world. This interaction with the landscape around
him is reflected on his work, which comments wittily and astutely on the nature of
contemporary society in all its materialism, industrialism and kitschery.

3
Suhaimi’s Exhibition in conjunction with M&C Saatchi’s 10th
Anniversary
The theme being “The Next 10 Years”, is based on evolving and
progression. Suhaimi has selected his pieces to be exhibited with this
theme in mind.
The following pieces below reflects in one way or another the underlying
thread of being ahead or progress. This, however, does not necessarily
mean all is well as he also captures the essence of the failings in wanting to
move forward i.e greed, impatience, progress at the expense of destroying
nature, etc.
In the following works, he comments on the price we sometimes pay in
pursuit of progress and prosperity, a timely reminder that the process of
Evolution and Moving forward must be tampered with care and caution as
well.

4
1. HERON AND FISH
mixed media on canvas
138 x 138 cm
2008-09
‘Heron and Fish’ is based on a children's story that teaches being
greedy won t help you at the end. The heron hunts fish by standing very‟
still in the water, waiting for fish to swim past and then catching them.
But this particular heron doesn't catch various small fish that swim past
him because he
craves a bigger one. At the end of the day, he goes hungry because all
the small fish disappear and no particular big fish shows up.
Note;
RTFO (Recycled Toys and Found Objects) Series

5

6
2. HARE AND TORTOISE
138 x 138 cm
2008-09
‘Hare and Tortoise’ surrounds the theme of children's story that being too
egotistical can jeopardize your chances of winning or being successful as a
result. Looking at tortoise as a slow mover, the hare thinks that he can beat
a tortoise anytime, anywhere based on his speed.
The tortoise agreed to accept the hare challenge for a race witnessed by
friends. The hare saw how terribly slow his rival was, so he decided to take
a short nap, but later on, he had awoken too late in order to catch up with
his opponent. The hare noticed that the tortoise had beaten him at the
finishing line and won the race
Note;
RTFO (Recycled Toys and Found Objects) Series

7

8
3. STANDING TALL (ABDUL RAZAK)
210 x 210 cm
2012-13
‘Standing Tall (Abdul Razak)’ represents Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the
second Prime Minister of Malaysia from the RAHMAN Theory painting set. Is
“RAHMAN Theory” a myth? Then look again at a list of Malaysia s Prime‟
Ministers in the last 56 years. R = T.A. (Rahman), A = (Abdul Razak) Hussein,
H = (Hussein) Onn, M = (Mahathir) Mohamad, A = (Abdullah) Badawi and N =
Mohd (Najib) Razak.
Note;
Merdeka (Freedom) Series

9

10
4. 7 (SURGA DIBAWAH TAPAK KAKI
IBU)
210 X 150 cm
2012-13
‘7 (Surga Di Bawah Tapak Kaki Ibu)’ was based on Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) hadith related by Anas (RA), “Verily, Haven lies
under the feet of our mother”. Seven Haven.
Note;
Survivor Series

11

12
5. Ikan Puyu (Anabas Testudineus)
With the depleting of resources from the forest, fishing
and trapping frogs is a serious business
mixed media with neon light and blades on canvas
150x150 cm
2011-13
is one of my paintings produced after my time spent with Orang Asli
(“Original People” in Malay) for my proposal submitted to Smithsonian
Institution for my 2012 Smithsonian Fellowship nomination.
Here the fish is equated to the Orang Asli in northern states of Peninsular
Malaysia where, despite their passive, content nature; they are being
intruded by outside elements. Their habitats have been compromised by the
building of dams, chopping down of trees and over fishing. Even though the
Orang Asli appear to live much in the way they always have, the
development of Malaysia has still impacted them on fundamental levels.
Note;
Merdeka (Livelihood) Series

13

14
6. Si Luncai Sungguh Gembira
Bermain Dengan Kawan-kawannya Di
Luar Istana (Si Luncai So Happy
Playing with His Friends Outside the
Palace)
Installation,
Variable Size
2008-10
is an installation works depicting Si Luncai, a Malay folk story about an easy
going, poor but smart young boy managing his life. Observing a boy with
untidy clothes and fat stomach, many people think he only eats and sleeps
everyday of his life. Everybody makes fun of him everywhere he goes. Those
people tend to overlook that because of his hardship and unfortunate life style,
he has to use his intelligence to survive.
Note;
Object Series

15

16
7. Sama Sama (You’re Welcome)
183x137 cm
2007
‘Sama Sama (You’re Welcome)’ is a „thank you painting. This painting‟
was produced celebrating myself believing in what I do for my art
practice. I decided to ignore all unnecessary negative comments, not
following what other artists have done, staying away from what art
collectors want you to do, etc., in order to move forward. By believing in
oneself, I m now can freely choose what art materials to use, what‟
subject to paint without getting approval from others. Life is tough, but
happiness supersedes everything else.
Note;
Object Series

17

18
2 . HARMONY (Social Contract)
96x72 in
2011-12
Is “Social Contract” honored?
The Social Contract refers to the agreement made by the country's founding
fathers before Independence. The social contract usually refers to a trade-off
for granting of citizenship to the Immigrants of Malaysia (particularly
Malaysian Chinese and Indian), and granting the Natives special rights and
privileges.
Note;
Merdeka (Freedom) Series

19

Suhaimi Fadzir Description of Works as at 260713

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Featured

Featured (20)

Suhaimi Fadzir Description of Works as at 260713