LOT 9
MOHD RADUAN MAN
B. Pahang, 1978
Before the War, 2009
Oil on linen
74 x 74 cm
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Signed and dated “Raduan Man 2009” on lower right. Signed, titled, and dated Raduan Man 2009 Before the War on verso
RM 2,000 – 5,000
Mohd Raduan’s pieces have always been quite enigmatic and cryptic, and this piece is no different – a commentary of some sort. Done in his usual murky, shadowy shades, with bright popping colours, silhouettes of soldiers decorate the canvas, with graffiti-like words that say ‘Hear This’ marrying the top. Streaks of red adorn the bottom, which could be a direct reference to the bloodshed wars have caused. Strong and purposeful, this piece is full of statements without too many words, as Mohd Raduan makes a statement about human behaviour and modern urban society and war itself. The message, seeing as how being puzzling is Mohd Raduan’s hallmark, is very indistinct at first but requires the viewer to gaze a little longer to decrypt it and decide what feeling was evoked from it. The execution, however, is exceptional and the meaning strong.