작품 상세

Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal's use of a bicameral heart, one in orange and the other in purplish red, rent asunder with poking triangular shapes representing the keris, sets the tone of the play, Lela Mayang. It was directed by Datuk Syed Alwi Syed Hassan with Faridah Merican and Rahim Razali in the lead roles, and music composed and arranged by Jimmy Boyle. It was staged in Kuala Lumpur by the Malaysian Arts Theatre Group in February 1968. Datuk Syed Ahmad designed the set, costume and poster. This is the second time a work from Lela Mayang is featured in the Henry Butcher Art Auction, the first being on April 21, 2013, which sold for RM24,200. Datuk Syed Ahmad was also involved in Syed Alwi's subsequent 1978 play, Desa Ria (Happy Kampung). It is interesting to note that Datuk Syed Ahmad had been involved in set designs in plays, and even acted and directed, when he was studying at the Chelsea School of Art. In 2004, Datuk Syed Ahmad as Seniman Negara collaborated with Sasterawan Negara Muhammad Salleh in the book of paint and poetry, Meraih Ruang (Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal was multi-pronged as artist-sculptor, administrator, curator, writer-critic, educator and designer. The National Art Gallery awarded him a Retrospective in 1975, and a major Tribute exhibition in 2009. In 1994-1995, the Nanyang Gallery of Art organised his Historical Overview. Until today, he is the only visual artist made National Artist Laureatte (1995), and a year later he got the 'Datuk' title. He had been director of the National Art Gallery and the Asian Cultural Centre. He was also principal of the Specialist Teachers Training Institute in Kuala Lumpur. He had also done decor and costumes for stage plays and was the author of two coffee-table books on art. He studied at the Birmingham School of Architecture, Chelsea School of Art, the London University, the School of the Art Institute Chicago and the University of Hawaii. He had also served in the Arts Council, the Wednesday Art Group, Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia and the Malaysian Artists Association. He was also honoured with country awards by the governments of India, the United States, France and Australia.