작품 상세

This must be one of the most interesting works of Yusof Ghani's most touted Siri Tari, coming at the tailend of the reprise on 1991-1993. The influence or inspiration must have come soon and possibly subconsciously after an exhibition in Tokyo. Siri Tari started in 1985 culminating with a solo exhibition at Galeri Citra, Kuala Lumpur, in 1989. While Yusof Ghani may not have absorbed or understood the intricacies of the centuries-old dance-drama tradition of the Japanese, which was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists in 2005. Kabuki, one of the three great Japanese cultural treasures besides Noh and Bunraku, can be traced back to the Edo Period (also known as the Tokugawa period, from 1603 to 1868). While the accoutrements of the Kabuki costumes may not be evident in Yusof's abstract forms, the dramatic gestures seem glossed over four segments. It is not the kind of dance one envisioned with vigorous movements or symbolic mudras but one simply about practised gestures. Neither is there any hint of what the particular Kabuki story is referred to, like the 48 Ronins or other stories. It is interesting to note that John Lee Joo For, Datuk Ibrahim Hussein, Latiff Mohidin also had done a Kabuki work, so it looks as if it's something de rigueur. Yusof Ghani worked in art-related jobs such as artist-illustrator at the Agriculture Ministry (1967), instructor at the Fisheries Institute, Penang (1971) and a graphic artist at Radio-Television Malaysia (1977) before pursuing his art education in the United States. Upon his return, he was Associate Professor at the Mara Institute of Technology. He graduated with a Masters in Fine Art at the Catholic University, Washington (1983), after obtaining his Bachelor's (Graphic Art) at the George Mason University, Virginia (1981). All his major works were produced after his American exposures: Tari, Topeng, Wayang, Hijau, Segerak, Biring, Wajah, Ombak and Kuda. In 1985, he won the Minor Award in the PNB art competition in Kuala Lumpur. Yusof Ghani made his London debut in an exhibition titled Segerak VI - Transcendent Figures at the Asia House in April 2017. Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers with partners Galeri Prima and Pinkguy Gallery organised Segerak VIII: Utopia, the final edition of Segerak series, in August 2019. The exhibition received good responses. In Henry Butcher Art Auction December 2021, his Siri Tari - Zakwan (1987) was sold for a record price of RM 403,200.