Ibrahim Hussein: Kampung Boy Who Painted To International Fame

Kuala Lumpur - "To me, painting is like praying. When I paint, I am dealing with my heart, my work and God."

These words of Malaysia`s legendary painter Datuk Ibrahim Hussein are found in the web page of the Ibrahim Hussein Musuem and Cultural Foundation.

Better known as Ib, - the man who was once nearly jailed for his art work -- began his love for arts at a young age.

He pursued his studies at the Nanyang Academy of Arts in Singapore in 1956. Three years later, he continued his studies at London`s Byam Shaw School of Drawing and Painting for four years before pursuing a three-year stint at London`s Royal Academy School.

Born to a poor family at Sungai Limau in Yan, Kedah, 72 years ago, Ibrahim worked hard to achieve his dream to become a professional artist, especially in London, where he had to work as postman, movie extra and whatever job that he could lay his hands on - just to stay afloat.

"In fact, I did everything except wash dishes to survive! It was a really, really hard time...a time that I will never forget," he said in an interview in 2002.

While studying in London, he was given a travelling scholarship, `Award of Merit` which enabled him to travel to France and Italy. In 1964, he won the Griffin Prize.

Among his myriad of international accolades included the Japan Foundation Award (1988), Order of Andres Bello from the Venezuelan Government (1993), Hugo Boss Hall of Distinction (1994) and Chile`s highest award for a foreigner, the Comendador of the `Order de Benardo O`Higgins` (1996) and World Economic Forum`s Crystal Award (1997).

In 2007, Ibrahim was awarded the `Tokoh Melayu Terbilang` award in conjunction with Umno 61st anniversary.

When he was a much younger man, he had indeed, taken the international world of painting by storm.

In 1963, he did his first one-man exhibition at the John Whibley Gallery in London. He followed it up, two years later, at the Gallerie Internationale, New York and from there to Kuwait (1977), Germany (1983) Japan (1989), Chile (1991) and Switzerland (1994).

Internationally renowned, Ibrahim`s works were very much influenced by his surroundings and environment, and since opening up the Ibrahim Hussein Museum and Cultural Foundation in Langkawi, he began working in timber and rock "as these are my immediate natural surroundings".

His main medium is `printage` which he created by mixing printing and collage.

Ibrahim, who died today of heart failure, is survived by widow Sim Hussein and daughter Alia.

Nevertheless, the legendary painter`s brilliant works and masterpieces will live on.

Legends, they say, do not die. They just fade away.

Source: Bernama.com
Photo Credit: Klue.com.my

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