LOT 83
KHALIL IBRAHIM
B. Kelantan, 1934 – 2018
Portrait of a Lady in Baju Kurung, 1990
Signed and dated “Khalil Ibrahim 90” on lower right
Acrylic on board
12 x 12 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 1,800 – RM 3,500
To own an artwork by Khalil Ibrahim is to own a piece of history. The Kelantan-born artist was regarded as one of the most influential artists in Malaysia for his masterful use of batik as a medium. He was one of the few Malaysians to have received art training at the prestigious Central St. Martins School of Art and Design in London during the 1960’s. At the school, he received rigorous training in portraiture and explored various hues to bring out the personality of his subjects with muted colours and realistic reflection on the canvas. The ‘Portrait of a Lady in Baju Kurung’ is an ode to Malaysian women. A female with long black hair and tanned skin, donning a baju kurung becomes the subject. Her facial expression leaves the audience in a state of debate. The portrait invokes a powerful curiosity into the thoughts of the subject which brings his body of art to life.