작품 상세

The consummation and sanctity of two forms of opposing genders is a popular theme of Datuk Ibrahim Hussein in his art of relationships. Even if it depicts two lovebirds hugging, the body warmth is therapeutic and mutually self-assuring. It is something meaningful and more symbolic, of the power of emotions perhaps, what Ibrahim later dubbed 'Monorobos', of a series of amorous entanglements. Light colours accentuate the torsos and limbs with glimpsed outlines, and with flashes of the heads diagonally downwards. Such intimate liaisons were particularly discernible in works like Sweet Dream (1973), Honeymoon (1974) and Monorobos (1979). The period between 1971 and 1978 was when Ib, as he is popularly known, was a resident artist at Universiti Malaya (Fifth College). Undoubtedly, Datuk Ibrahim Hussein is one of the most extraordinarily gifted and world-class artists. Awarded an unprecedented three Datukships, he was given the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum. Also awarded the Tokoh Melayu Terbilang, he was given a memorable Retrospective by the National Art Gallery in 1986. Already an icon then, he was invited for the tripartite best-of-the-world exhibition in Kuwait together with American Pop icon Andy Warhol and Spanish surrealist maestro Salvador Dali. He was also the first Malaysian taking part in the prestigious Venice Biennale. On the international front, Ib was awarded the Order of Andres Bello of Venezuela (1993), Chile's Order of Bernardo Higgins (1996), and the Japan Foundation Cultural Award (1988). Ib was also an activist, organising with the help of his wife, Sim, the Langkawi International Arts Festival at his museum in Langkawi (2000), and the Club Mediterranee Asian Arts Festival in Cherating (Pahang) in 1988 and Bali (Indonesia) in 1987. Ib had his art tutelage at the Byam Shaw School of Drawing and Painting and the prestigious Royal Academy in London (1963-1966). He also received a double scholarship of Fulbright and John D. Rockefeller II Fund that saw him in the United States, with two solos in New York to boot.