LOT 4
YUSOF GHANI
(B. Johor, 1950)
Siri Tari, 1989
Mixed media on paper
24 x 38 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Illustrated on page 137 of the “YUSOF GHANI, SIRI TARI TOPENG” coffee table book
Published in 1996 by Rusli Hashim Fine Art
SOLD – RM 14,160
After Yusof Ghani moved on from his Protest Series, many had assumed that his paintings have undergone a complete makeover, from sinister and edgy to orchestrated and graceful. Yusof Ghani, however, refuted this. This work from the Tari Series did not change course, it still revolved around social remarks, and until this day, remained as his most popular and coveted series. In this series, he uses dance paintings to portray human behaviour and to experiment with lines, movement and colour.
“Life is sometimes like dancing – we move about with no purpose but we get lots of pleasure out of it,” said Yusof.
Despite how elegant this painting of dancing looks, it was never intended to be graceful. The lines and sketches on this artwork were executed freely and spontaneously in a frenzied and haphazard manner. It is perhaps, the play of colours, that gives this painting that polished, fluid air. The NHB of Singapore has about four pieces by Yusof Ghani, namely ‘Gawai’, ‘Tangkal’ and two pieces from his Tari series.