claumaLITEKA: La pulcritud del dibujo

Ahmad Zakii Anwar

(b. 1955, Malaysia) - better known as Zakii -

has emerged as one of the most exciting,

engaging and eloquent 'urban realist' artists

in the region.

A graduate of the School of Art and Design,

MARA Institute of Technology Malaysia,

the artist began his career as a graphic artist, producing

some of the leading advertising graphics of his time before turning

to fine art practice.

Zakii came to attention for his virtuosity and comman

d of a spectrum of media from charcoals to oils, building a reputation

for stunning photo-realist still-life paintings and expressive portraits.

Later, a more contemporary edge surfaced in his works as

Zakii introduced urban subjects and settings into his canvases.

He is lauded for capturing not just city motifs and urban features but also a distinctive

psychological dimension and cinematic

quality in these scenarios.

Zakii's preoccupation with the spiritual

or metaphysical aspects of urban life,

as seen through his use of icons,

symbols and allegories (including

metaphors of theatre, performance

and masks) have also marked his practice.

The artist's studio and viewing gallery is

in Johor Bahru, Malaysia where he resides

with his wife and children.

Rangda Unmasked
2002
Charcoal on paper
76 x 56 cm

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