GRAVEFULLY ROMANTIC

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.

LAMAN SENI SEKSYEN 7: URBAN ART COMPETITION

Alhamdulillah, our 2 artworks are among the FINALIST for Laman Seni | Urban Art Competition which was held from 18 April - 23 May 2014.Wish and Pray for our success! 

“Laman Seni 7” is the continuity of “Laman Seni 2” project. Similar to the previous project in Section 2, this project will be focussing on the improvement of the backlane. This project will be directing more towards art and architecture appreciation. It will be a platform for the younger generations especially students, to express their talents and fresh ideas. In short, “Laman Seni 7” is aimed to be the focal point for the youth to congregate to utilise the given space for the benefit of the community. 

refer : https://www.facebook.com/events/1474188526138063/

Title:  THE TREE THAT BLOWS YOUR MIND

Category : 3D Painting

Description:

The idea is to transform the series of air-cond condenser machines into large green leaves. The leaves grow from a tree that has 7 rainbow color roots. The colors reflect how our daily life is painted with variety of colors that root together and become a huge tree of experiences. This tree of experiences will later generate into fruitful mature brainy thoughts. 

  

Title:  BATANG BANGKU

Category : Street Furniture

Description:

Taking any existing old trees around Shah Alam and to carve the trunk into a sitting surface. Concrete block is use to support the timber log from getting wet and act like a stump. The rest of the branches is left bare in form as it can become a place for fun activities. It can consist several trees log and re-arrange together to become a linear sculpture.  

POSTER DESIGN : PAM Youth Portable Pavilion Design Competition

In conjunction with the premier Green Exhibition EcoB (the green component of DatumKL) PAM Youth is organizing a pavilion design competition.The winning entry will not only be entitled to a cash prize but will see their creation being built. 

The pavilion is intended to house and exhibit youth works and projects during the EcoB exhibition and in any future event deemed suitable. The spirit of the design must embody green concepts such as re-usability  recyclability, modularization and efficiency.

It is intended that the pavilion be part of the community engagement that PAM has with the public at large and particularly the youths.

So hurry, show the world how creative you are &
make a mark for yourself at EcoB 2013!

Poster credits to : dipapansembilan

The Story of Twin Towers

Medium : Acrylic & Marker on canvas
Size : 60 cm x 90 cm
Created : 2011
Status : Private collection


There are many places that we had visited in our lifetime. Some places we went again and again, others we visited just once. But it doesn’t mean the place we went several times is the place that we loved the most (non conducive work place) or perhaps the place we went only once (Makkah) is the place we hope to be in forever.


In reality we rarely counted how many times we visit certain places; we are naturally attracted or forced to go places. Only a few would then think; “why do I like or hate this place so much?” It also differs with one another. Someone would love to spend many hours in a shopping mall but some may not.


The importance of knowing or realising the places we had visited in lifetime is perhaps to realise the reflection of who we are and what we have become.


My boys love going to KLCC especially its park and the art gallery. Whether because they genuinely love it or basically being influenced or drag by me is something they will decide as they grow up. Like many others who’d promote and recommend us to a certain place, only we can then decide if we like the place or not.


This painting of the twin towers was symbolically made by these two brothers to simply draw their favourite place. Both however express their own story differently. Azhan’s is the on the left while Nine’s on the right. They observe the place differently.


Architecturally the KLCC twin towers is a fine building but for a child it is a dull building, period. They only part that they like about it is the tallness of the structure. What they have done here is to add colours and make the façade more cheerful and fun as much as they had in the park. The big tree represents the park that they love so much and Nine’s transformed building next to it act as a giant robot.

Artistically, despite of both using bright colours (happy colours), they made us catch a sense of calmness and chaos. Try and cover each side of the painting at a time and you will see it as nothing but an ordinary colourful naive painting. The feeling of calmness and chaos only becomes so obvious when this two abstracts are painted next to each other on the same canvas.


The effect of changing feeling in the same artwork makes me realised that we can perceive life differently depending on how we relate it to our life. We feel grateful if we compare our live with the less fortunate poor people, but we feel resentment as we compare to people who are more successful and richer than us. Instead, the painting actually tells us to look within ourselves and find what we really feel.

I love the part where they wrote ‘I love Malaysia’ right in the middle. I personally perceive the painting as: “despite the imperfection or differences of people, places or country, we can always find happiness as long as there’s still love in our heart.”
HAPPY MERDEKA MALAYSIAN!

It's Bath Time

Artwork by : Fadzlan Rizan Johani
Title : It's Bath Time
Medium : Acrylic
Canvas Size : 60 cm x 120 cm
Created : 2009
Status : Private collection
I hereby certify this to be a genuine authorized artwork of mine

Description:

Children love water. They can stay in bath until they turned blue. While bathing they will always be happy. Playing with bubbles and toys, turning an ordinary toiletries into amazing spaceships, swimming, scuba diving, pretending it's raining, etc.

Why and how is having a bath could be fun? And this is the fun that we tend to forget as we grow older and wiser; how could we forget the fun bathe could bring? Is it more than just water in the bath? A coral reef with treasures hidden underneath perhaps, protected by a big octopus! Maybe taking a bath each day is another adventure.

As we grow older, having a bath becomes just another routine of the day. It's very considered dreadful especially in the morning. What have gone wrong? Where is the joy and adventure of our childhood?

The drawing perhaps is a way to capture the essence of joy in bathing which we all used to have that may become lost in time. After finishing this painting I realised maybe our pursuit of happiness is closer than we think; by making and enjoying each moment of the day to the fullest!


Story:
I've started painting this with a very difficult task to paint my two boys for the first time. I have not been practicing my portrait skill for a long time. But they are the love of my life, how can I not paint them? I take the challenge and try my best to capture their image on canvas although it would surely be difficult. When I first anticipated the painting I thought it would not be good enough or real enough to be labelled as a good painting but as long as my boys love it, it is good enough for me.
Later, when I submitted the painting to our local public gallery for an exhibition, this painting was selected on the merit of the "expression of joy, playful and vibrant colour" I was surprised! I guess when you put so much "Love" into you work it will overcome any odds in life. I drew my boys because I love them so much. No matter how difficult it is to draw one; and now they are in gallery. Love will bring you to a place you'd never imagine.

It's Christmas

It's Christmas! The snow is here and everyone is sleighing, throwing snowballs and making snowmen. Also everyone is making any snow thing. But I think sleighing is best. I think everything is the best.

written by : Muhammad Zulkarnain (Nine)

MY ARTWORK DEBUT

OFFICIAL OPENING

by the Mayor of Bury,

Saturday 21st November 2009,

2.00 p.m

Exhibition duration: 21 November - 27 February

Location: BURY ART GALLERY, Moss Street, Bury, BL9 0DR

LIST OF MY ARTWORK SELECTED

1.

Title : IT'S BATH TIME

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 60 x 120 cm

2.

Title : SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

Medium: Acrylic

Size: 60 x 60 cm

AUTUMN TREES

Title : Autumn Trees

Media : Acrylic on Canvas

Size : 31.0x 29.0 cm

Painted by : Fadzlan Rizan Johani

Year made : 2 November 2009

GEORGE EDMUNDS' SONG

by: Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

Autumn leaves, autumn leaves, lie strewn around he here;
Autumn leaves, autumn leaves, how sad, how cold, how drear!
How like the hopes of childhood's day,
Thick clust'ring on the bough!
How like those hopes in their decay--
How faded are they now!
Autumn leaves, autumn leaves, lie strewn around me here;
Autumn leaves, autumn leaves, how sad, how cold, how drear!

Wither'd leaves, wither'd leaves, that fly before the gale:
Withered leaves, withered leaves, ye tell a mournful tale,
Of love once true, and friends once kind,
And happy moments fled:
Dispersed by every breath of wind,
Forgotten, changed, or dead!
Autumn leaves, autumn leaves, lie strewn around me here!
Autumn leaves, autumn leaves, how sad, how cold, how drear!

THE MAGICAL FISH

Title : The Magical Fish

Media : Acrylic on Canvas

Size : 40.6 cm x 50.8 cm

Painted by : Muhammad Zulkarnain (Nine)

Year made : March 2009

Status : Private Collection

Description:

The illustration is about Nine's imaginary magical fish. In the video attached, you'll hear his explanation on his inspiration.

Story:

This is Nine's first canvas drawing. He did lot more small sketches on paper and combine painting with his brother Azhan earlier.

I give total freedom to my boys in drawing their sketches. They can choose any subject of interest, how they want to draw and as many as they want. However when they've decided to paint it on canvas they need to prove to me that their sketched idea well worth for painting. You will be amazed to listen at how they persuade me to let proceed to canvas painting.

To be honest, I always give a little pressure to them when they've started to paint on the canvas. I want them to understand the difference between sketches and final painting. Paint and canvas are not cheap and they need to value that as well. So next time when they decide to paint on canvas, they must ensure that they really want to paint it!

I saw Nine scribble a sketch of this fish on their black board at home. It is rather strange and unique fish. When I asked Nine about his painting, his explanation was even more bizarre than his painting. Based on his explanation and sketch I decided the drawing should be on canvas. He was really excited to hear that his sketch would go on a canvas. Because it is his first solo canvas, I did not put such big expectation and pressure. I wanted him to enjoy his first painting experience whilst learning to take pressure accordingly.

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HERE THE RAINBOW START

Title : Disini pelangi bermula (Here the rainbow start)

Media : Acrylic on Canvas

Size : 60.5 cm x 60.5 cm

Painted by : Fadzlan Rizan Johani

Year made : 2009

Description:

Somewhere at the beginning of a rainbow the joy and happiness grow. Here the sunflower blossoms, the caterpillar transforms into beautiful butterfly and the children found their playground. This is where flying kites could seem like touching the sky, or even making friends with the rabbits.

Do you remember the excitement you once felt as a child every time you see the rainbow? How the sight of it would make you wonder where the beautiful prism ends and the path it promises along the 7 colours. Remember how we used to see the world with pure and innocent Love in our hearts. Would it hurt us to dream and believe in something that could bring hope? The future should be as bright as the sunflowers or as high as the kite could fly.

Do we need to forget those early days when we were once called children. What does the impact it has as we embark from our childhood into the adulthood? Maybe when we become parents we should search for our childhood buried deep beneath adolescent in order to better understand our children. Knowing oneself could be a vital part to change our children's future.

Story:

It's been a very stressful year for every one whose life is affected by the economic downturn. It feels like life is just doom and gloom for most of us. Instead of capturing the gloomy feeling, I turn into remembering those happy moments in life. I hope by visualising our happiness it could be a saviour to uplift us from the misery of depression.

I've lost many friends and colleagues due to this economic mess. It is making me unhappy and at the same wonder if it'll be my turn next? Should I be worried? Or should I look beyond the dark clouds where the beautiful rainbow sits?

Whatever that may happen I pray and hope it would be for the best decision for us and open up new opportunity beyond imaginary. Thus all this happy moment should be treasured on canvas as it should not be lost within our hearts.

THE AGENT INSPECTOR-book cover

Title : The Agent Inspector
Media : Acrylic on Canvas
Size : 25.2 cm x 31.0 cm
Painted by : Azhan Year made : March 2009
Status : Private Collection, Digital image used for storybook cover

Description:
The illustration is about 3 good friends; one a chubby boy, the second a slim boy and lastly a short-sighted girl, who accidentally stumbled across an illegal money-printing syndicate.

Story:
About a month ago, a blog visitor dropped me an email requesting a drawing from Azhan for her fictional novel (age 10 -14 years). With her brief as the guiding principle, I asked Azhan to produce drawings consist the characteristics specified.

I must say it was not an easy task to make children draw within a certain boundary. It took almost a month for Azhan to come up with drawings which I think fulfil the specifications given.

It is a good advantage for Azhan to have a live assignment because it will train him to work within certain boundaries and restrictions. However before we take on the assignment I had to inform the client that I could not give 100% assurance that the artwork will be done on time or within the requirement.

One of the many reasons for this condition is because:

“One of the greatest creativity killers, however, is more subtle and so deeply rooted in our culture that it is hardly notice. It is has to do with TIME.” D.Goleman, P. Kaufman, The Art of Creativity 1992

“one ingredient of creativity is open-ended time,” Ann Lewan, Director of Capital Children’s Museum, Washington D.C 1992

Although it is good for Azhan to be able to meet the requirement but what matters most is the pleasure, not perfection.

Having said that Azhan did manage to sketch 3 drawing using his own imagination about the storyline of the book. One of them had been chosen by the client to be coloured.

Preliminary sketches

Typically, the client soon asked for some changes on the finish painting. Well, I would never bother to ask my son to change it because this will put him under pressure and worry about others' judgement (another main creativity killer). Luckily, it's been agreed that the real painting is not for trading or selling but only permitting the client her copyright to use the drawing, therefore I manage to fulfil the changes by the magic of “Photoshop”!. At the end the client was satisfied without Azhan losing interest in art. Finalised artwork

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All About Me

Hi it's me Nine and I want to show you my picture's . Here is my first picture . That's me and this is got to be good if you like it . Next page is my certificate's . Hmmmm... do you not have a certificate . Sorry I need to go now. Bye.

Escaping LEGO City

Title : Escaping LEGO City

Media : Acrylic on Canvas
Size : 29.5cm x 40.0 cm
Painted by : Azhan

Year made : 2008
Status : Private Collection

Description:

The Devils have come to destroy a city. The people in the city are scared. They dashed into their houses for safety as they're about to face this great danger. At the brink of destruction, an agent jet arrives to protect them. The super jet is equipped with missile that could destroy the devils. Inside the city the police have come to protect the ordinary civilians with their shield. More help arrive in the form of ninja tank to guard the accessing road into the city.

The Agent

The Police

The Ninja

The Devils have stolen the gold from the people and try to run away with it. All the super heroes are coming together to protect the city from the devil of destruction and fight the villains in their quest to return the gold back to it's people.

Story:

This is actually the first full painting on canvas done by Azhan. It was painted in a small A3-size canvas. I believe it is a good first step for him to start with a small canvas because I will know how much energy that he could commit to a painting. This will give me a bench mark to what kind of ideal canvas size my son could cops

During that early step, he was given the freedom to decide the subject of drawing without much discussion with me. However, I eventually slowly imposed argument on him in his next painting on the choice of subject matter. This discussion on theme for the painting is important for the children to:

1. Enrich creativity

2. Build their confidence

3. Develop conceptual thinking

4. Able to negotiate

5. Understand people

Later, from this small canvas Azhan's painting skill was tested on a bigger scale. The DREAM ISLAND was the result of the test.

There are a lot more things about my boys that I'd need to learn, understand and explore just as much as I need to learn about myself. As you can see the painting that he chose is a little controversial as it features war scene. It was actually an influence of their Lego Agent series that they have. He's been sketching it a lot to illustrate the scene in his Lego land.

At the time this painting was made, he'd never seen a real life war conflict. He basically knows about a brief history of the World Wars but never seen one (we don't watch violence movie). But when the latest war conflict happens he saw it on the news. Now he sees the bruises that war left. He once asked me about it and that was how I came up with the STOP THE WAR painting.

I don't know how he feels about the ugly face of war but surely after seing it on the news, I have not seen any single sketches about his Lego agent that involve war anymore.

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Closing Down Shoutbox

I'm closing down Papan's shoutbox. Since this blog's first published there has been plenty of comments posted on the shoutbox and also on the artwork itself. We really appreciate your support and we'd try to leave our reply to your comment.

In order to make things easier, more organised and easily documented, we wish to close down the shoutbox as all the comments there had not been well-documented or closely followed-up. Unlike comments on the artwork it would be fowarded directly to our e-mail account.

Perhaps it's better to stick to just one system for better coordination. Thank you very much for your support. Please keep in touch.

Below is a list of conversations that I'd managed to save from the shoutbox. LINK

Treasure Map

Title : Treasure Map
Media : Acrylic on Canvas

Size : 40.6cm x 50.8 cm

Painted by : Azhan & Zulkarnain (nine)
Year made : 12 January 2009

Edition : Original

Status : Private Collection

Description:

This is a map to a treasure hidden in the Dream Island. The treasure is marked with an 'X' and hidden deep in the island. To reach the treasure one needs to follow the red mark. The journey will first take them into a long dark tunnel. Then they need to cross valley of mountains. They also need to cross a lake full of sharks. Next they'd have to pass through a thick forest before eventually reaching the mark where the treasure is buried.

The painting is a an epitome of our journey through life. Everyone needs goals in life, even in preparing oneself for the afterlife. There is no easy way to achieve goal in life. There are a lot of obstacles in the journey but there's also fun along the way.

You may now be in your darkest moment in life (being in the dark cave) but there is still hope of coming out of it. Soon, along the route you will find fortune (pyramids) and must use it wisely to achieve your goal (cars or other material of wealth).

Having a good time (passing through the garden) doesn't mean that the challenge is over. You may someday lose track of your goal and trace back the right path (before you get drown and be eaten by the shark). You may also find other achievement during the journey (climb mountains). You may pass through a lot more ups and downs again several times (different height of trees in forest).

Again you may find another fortune (pyramids) but this time you are not using it to help you to reach your aim (a bigger house). So, this time the fortune turns out to be a distraction and avoid you from continuing the journey to reach for the goal (marked "X"). This shall be a reminder that the distance for achieving the goal is actually close in proximity but is unreachable if we become satisfied with the luxury that we currently possess.

"Whatever we want to be, whatever we want to do, we can do it, because we can. Go ahead, take that first step-just do it. The best of luck to you, and have fun along the way" Richard Branson

Story:

Treasure map is one of the drawing subjects that my boys love to sketch and scribble a lot. Instead of forcing them to do something that they're not used to, it is better to give them the opportunity to transform the rough sketches onto a big canvas.

The above description is philosophical view of a father looking at his sons' drawing. It is rather more amusing to listen to the artists' (Azhan & Nine) plain, simple, straight-forward explanation than complicated view of an adult. All I can say is, "Enjoy and have fun in the journey."

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Pattern Home

Title : Pattern Home

Theme : Dream Home
Media : Acrylic on Canvas
Size : 40.6cm x 50.8 cm
Painted by : Azhan

Year made : 12 January 2009
Edition : Original
Status : Available

Description:

Home is one of the places that put colours into our life. It leaves us with a lot of emotion and feelings into our memories. The "Patterned Home" is trying to capture these feelings through different vibrant colours. The combination of these colours will leave us with different depth of feelings that will take us into the house or pull us out of it.

The story:
The painting is based on Azhan’s earlier school work. He said it was based on a famous painter but he couldn't remember who it is and neither can I.

Instead of transforming the same pattern onto the canvas we decided to carry on the “Dream home” theme. So Azhan decided to draw a series of simple houses. Some with chimney and some without. Azhan insisted on following the exact colour composition like he did at school even using the gold colour!

He has now learnt how to control the paint by following the colour lines. However, the brush stroke of the line colour is left as rough as possible by being flexible on the colour line thickness.

Thru this exercise he had learnt the variety of colour combination and compositions. Unlike his earlier school work where pastel colour was used, this acrylic-based painting creates more exciting colour transformation whenever his brush mix with different colour in the line. I tried not to impose on a perfect colour line instead taught him on better hand coordination.

During the process of completing his subject, Azhan made a few mistakes but it turned out to be rather unique and instead of correcting it I decided to leave it as it is. As an adult I tend to strict myself to rules and perfections. But looking back at my son’s naive paintings, it inspired me how mistakes could transform into a masterpiece.

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