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Malaysian Public Art: Hisammudin Ahmad - Persona Rembau (2023)



Hisammudin Ahmad from the work ‘Persona Rembau (2023)’ public art mural, translated as ‘Rembau Persona’, evokes the audience towards the dichotomy between the utopian-dystopian narratives in art. The artist’s apperception towards nature is interestingly manifest, on his recent works which cherishes visions between humankind, and the harmony of our abundant mother nature. Concurrently, as presented through his ‘Hujung Penghujung Titiwangsa Series (2023)’ works, translated as ‘The End Corners of Titiwangsa or Big Range (2023)’, capturing the sublimity on the forces of nature.

Rembau District Council (Majlis Daerah Rembau) is the Official Patron for this Public Work of Art - ‘Persona Rembau (2023)’

‘Persona Rembau (2023)’ is viewed as a public work of art, rather than a personal statement. Geographically, ‘Rembau’ is a town that is located in the Rembau District, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The township is situated about 25 km south from the state capital, Seremban. Demographically, most of the populations are farmers, traders, government servants, factory workers, which most of the young join the army and police force.

The techniques and approaches in ‘Persona Rembau (2023)’ unveil the artist’s exploration in producing a three-dimensional (3D) mural output, connecting its audience in an explicit as well as implicit layer. The scenes and subjects chosen by the artist, is situated in an abundant natural ecosystems, which ‘Rembau’ has to offer. Indirectly this mural work of art invites its audience, in a welcoming sense, where most of its subjects are placed in the foreground, as well as middle ground, rather than its background.

Background settings are adorned with sublime scenery of nature, through agile green mountains, in contrast with the blue skies, and crystal clear water. Such concept evokes and invites the public, through formalistic aspects which addresses the personification of ‘Rembau’ as a persona itself. In the contemporary art belief we place ourselves, colorful lines and shapes, of public urban buildings, does portrays vibes of an urban center or city jungle. Nevertheless, ideas on personification of nature itself, are instantaneously profound, as well as unique.

Colors applied by the artist, cumulatively comprises of warm saturation hues, suggesting a warm welcoming experience, where the scenes and subjects such as; the skies, mountains, waterfalls, forests, paddy fields, boys, girls, as well as the buffaloes, takes the audience into an immerse experience on a utopian journey through time-space. Primary colors depict the ability of the artist to emphasize an expression of harmony between the deep blue and yellowish green hues. Most of the subjects in red colored pallets are positioned at an attention point, placed at intersection points (Rule of Third / Golden Ratio).

Subjects such as the teenage boy, girl, and kid are aligned in symmetrical as well as asymmetrical order, dynamically place towards its chosen scenery-settings. The bridge, stairs, rope, as well as the swing from the different murals, separates between the left-right spaces of the concrete, depicting techniques such as linear perspective, utilizing the foreshortening approaches apart from the three-dimensional (3D) murals produced

In the Malay World history, woodcarving reliefs and ornament cherished walls of Malay Palaces as well as houses. In History of the west, celebrated fresco wall-ceiling paintings such as the Sistine chapel, manifested the personas of the High Renaissance, in a period of its own time-place. Nevertheless, in the world we find ourselves today, most patrons of the churches (religious) and castles, are replaced by corporate companies, in need of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) obligation. In a favor and interest of the public, which altogether benefits both parties.

Thus, contemporary artist’s works of art such as Banksy addresses social response towards global, as well as local situations-stipulations. Whereas, Works of Hisammudin Ahmad such as ‘Persona Rembau (2023)’ takes the audience towards a utopian vision, celebrating layers of metaphysical reality through the three-dimensional (3D) works, which objectifies nature’s visual personas. As depicted through the swings on top of the mountain, with flavors served as a utopian hope or hope-less.

In a nutshell, these works of art suggest new hopes in battling the pandemic impressions due to the nation’s politic, economic, and social crisis. At times global warming and climate crisis do reflect a significant correlation, between roles and relation of humankind, and our natural ecosystem we find ourselves. 



'Keep on Charging'

MUSADDIQ MOHAMAD KHALIL

Department of Liberal Studies
UiTM Alor Gajah
PACAQ-UITM RIG 2023


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