Launch of “Al-Kesah: Homage To Ismail Zain” Exhibition

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

Salam Sejahtera dan Salam 1Malaysia

YBhg Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin Mohamed Yassin, Mantan Pengerusi, Lembaga Amanah, Balai Seni Lukis Negara,

Yang Berusaha, Encik Rizan Ismail, Pengurus Besar, Jabatan Pengurusan Jenama, Bahagian Komunikasi Strategik, PETRONAS,

Yang Berusaha, Puan Roshaniza Ilmi Mohd Ali, Pengarah, Galeri PETRONAS,

Yang Berusaha, Puan Wairah Marzuki, isteri kepada Allahyarham Ismail Zain dan juga Mantan Pengarah, Balai Seni Lukis Negara,

Artis-Artis dan Warga Seni,

Wakil-Wakil Media,

Para hadirin yang dihormati sekalian,

Alhamdulillah, marilah kita bersama-sama merafakkan kesyukuran ke hadrat Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala atas limpah izin dan kurniaNya jua, kita dapat bersama-sama bertemu di dalam majlis ini sempena perlancaran rasmi pameran terkini Galeri PETRONAS yang bertajuk “AL-KESAH: HOMAGE TO ISMAIL ZAIN”.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2. Galeri PETRONAS is indeed privileged to showcase this collaborative effort of 22 talented and established local artists from various art fraternities who have interpreted the artistic theories, visionary ideas and practices of the late Ismail Zain. Most, if not all of the talented artists who are showcasing their art in this Exhibition are students of the late Ismail Zain, who are truly inspired by the thought provoking ideas expressed in his artworks.

3. “AL – KESAH: HOMAGE TO ISMAIL ZAIN” derives from one of Ismail Zain’s significant works featured in his one and only solo exhibition in his life, the Digital Collage Exhibition back in 1988. The masterpiece was his form of critical response to the penetration of global mass media into local culture. He always held the view that regardless of the pace of globalisation affecting the world, one must never forget his or her roots. This is clearly visible in his thoughts and artworks he produced.

4. This impressive collection on display at this Exhibition manifests PETRONAS’ long-standing commitment in promoting and developing Malaysia’s local talents. By cultivating creativity, innovative ideas and critical thinking through artistic re-interpretation of Ismail Zain’s work.

5. Apart from Galeri PETRONAS, our resoluteness and strong commitments can be seen in our majestic Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, in the talented Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the exciting PETROSAINS and the beautiful 50-acres of KLCC Park. These and our increasing human capital development beyond PETRONAS own internal needs, our ongoing works in our Corporate Social Investment throughout our Country are all testaments to our pride in contributing back to our Nation’s holistic development. We take these amanah seriously, and with pride, on our role to preserve, nurture and promote our culture and heritage. In a sustainable manner. Our contributions to our roots.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

6. It is hoped that this Exhibition will facilitate a larger awareness amongst Malaysians, as well as a deeper appreciation of this prolific artist. Ismail Zain was one of the pioneers in new media art, whose art transcends the boundaries of time and convention. It is truly admirable when he had chosen to explore the full potential of the computer. That all of his artwork displayed in his solo exhibition, were produced by using his Macintosh computer. Most others at his age of 50 plus at that time, would have simply avoided the complexity of using computer to express their skills. The late Ismail Zain, with courage, chose to defy convention and took the innovative path.

Background of Exhibition and Artist

Ladies and Gentlemen,

7. Art has been at the heart of cultures since ancient times, where the crafting of ideas and values are mirrored through the inner workings of artisans in relation to the society of the time. Since the 1950s, Malaysian art tends to mimic Euro American modern/contemporary art – an art form that is not as well-known as its traditional counterpart. Not fully understanding Western art’s philosophic background in its entirety, caused much alienation of Malaysian art and how it fit in within this ‘newly acquired’ model.

8. Ismail Zain was an artist who made it clear that tradition should be allowed to grow, as he believed that art was always founded upon pragmatic values. Thus, he was not subscribed to the expressionist mode, as to him, art making was never thought as a process motivated solely by emotions.

9. Today, Galeri PETRONAS is giving due tribute to this post-modernist artist, described as the visionary of Malaysian digital art, whose unique set of values are worked into advanced image-based technologies, offering new insights, and triggering renewed understanding of art in itself. It is our wish that Al Kesah will spark discourse and dialogue that will promote the immensely rich Malaysian art heritage. The exhibition also depicts the importance of Semiology. The Study of Signs and Symbol approach as an alternative, in promoting meaningful communication for Malaysian Arts and Culture.

10. I am very pleased to note that Galeri PETRONAS has played a vital role to reposition Ismail Zain and his works. The objective is to create an ideal ecosystem for Malaysian artists to flourish whilst producing ground-breaking Malaysian art in a historical global context. This is in line with the Galeri’s efforts in enhancing the public’s awareness as well as the understanding of Malaysian Contemporary Art.

Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen,

11. On behalf of PETRONAS and the Galeri, I wish to once again express our utmost gratitude and sincere appreciation to YBhg Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin Mohamed Yassin, Former Chairman of National Art Gallery’s Board of Trustees and Puan Wairah Marzuki, the wife of the late Ismail Zain, for their support from the initial stage of this Exhibition.

12. I wish to congratulate Galeri PETRONAS, especially the Curator, Encik Badrolhisham, for realising this experience for all of us in re-living the works of the late Ismail Zain. We now have some appreciation of the semiology that have been embedded across his artworks and the interpretations of his works, that is simply awe-inspiring.

13. Last but not least, I would like to commend all 22 local artists for sharing their gift of creative talents, contributing towards another milestone in Galeri PETRONAS’ efforts to promote, develop and preserve our nation’s fine visual art heritage through various exhibitions and programmes, such as this. Their commitment and dedication in making this Exhibition a reality is much laudable. My sincere appreciation too, to all of you who are present here today.

14. On that note, and with lafaz ‘Bismillahirahmanirrahim’, it gives me great pleasure to declare the “Al-Kesah: Homage to Ismail Zain” Exhibition open.

15. Thank you all, and have a pleasant evening.