작품 상세

In Ismail Mat Hussin’s oeuvre, there is the unmistakeable myriad highlights from the patterns of the sarong or the basketry weave or the nets or even the idle boats by the beach. They function like stars in a multi-hued sky, sometimes rendered in monochrome, and since he is also a musician, like contrapuntal notes in a score. Ismail stays close to things close to his heart and locale with the subjects often the fishermen, the beach and traditional Malay pastimes, though there were times he strayed to the towns, and even then the trishaws would get his attention instead of motor vehicles. Once the fishermen hit shore, the women would take over — as sorters, sellers and buyers, that is until the middlemen took over and take the haul for more profits in the towns and cities, packed in ice for longer journey. Self-taught artist Ismail Mat Hussin learnt watercolours from school-teacher Nik Mahmood in school (Padang Garong) in 1954-1955 and later from Khalil Ibrahim. He boasted of a Grade V certificate in violin from the Royal School of Music (London) and worked part-time as a musician at Radio Televisyen Malaysia Kota Bharu. From 1979 to 1991, he worked as a graphic designer cum illustrator for Syarikat Percetakan Dian in Kota Bharu. Ismail joined the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia and the Persatuan Senilukis Kelantan (Peseni).