The sight of graveyard to many is mostly haunting and daunting. FADZLAN RIZAN however chose to express his love for his dearly departed Grandmama by drawing what would have been his late Grandmama's gravestone.
As I entered into his home gallery, I was greeted by this gravestone measuring 0.76 x 2.03 meter in size. Most people may think that putting a gigantic tombstone facing the entrance of one's home is like inviting the angel of death into their home. Some may also think the gravestone art piece draws misfortune to be fall upon the owner.
But what many forget is that as Muslims we are frequently reminded about death and how close death draws towards us as we live day by day. In fact the act of sleeping is described as momentary death because our souls left our bodies to roam freely in different dimension and return as we wake up.
Despite the controversy that this art piece may bring, I personally think it is very romantic of the artist to commemorate his late grandma through this artwork. When asked if the piece is a mimic of what laid on his grandmama's grave, Fadzlan told that it is not a copy of the actual stone but rather this is what he would have crafted for her.
The art of gravestone masonry is foreign to most but if you are to ask the makers, they would explain that the shape of the stones are determined by the gender and the age of the duly departed. Fadzlan's gigantic art piece was based on the actual gravestones available in the market. Unlike the actual gravestone which usually bears the name of the departed, the inscription of this gravestone is that of a du'a for the departed soul.
The silhouette of the stone measures 0.43 x 1.60 meter. The size is double that of the actual tomb laid on Muslims grave, which symbolizes its grand place in the heart of the artist.
As we talked about his art piece and how it is transpired from his dearly departed grandmama, his eyes were teary. I guess this is the artist way of showcasing his love and how much he misses the lady who raised him up with affection and showered him with love till her last breath. Alfatihah and May Allah bless Fadzlan's late grandmama and permit their souls to be reunited in the hereafter.
