A SOLO ART EXHIBITION-An Installation Art by Raja Shahriman Aziddin-
Gembala, Mana `O’ . . . Si Gembala at Pelita Hati Gallery of Art
1. Name of event: Gembala, Mana `O’ . . . Si Gembala -8th Solo Exhibition-An installation Art by Raja Shahriman Aziddin
2. Venue: Pelita Hati Gallery of Art,Tingkat Satu (1st Flr),No.8, Jalan Abdullah,Off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.
3. Company: Pelita Hati Sdn Bhd
4. Duration: 23rd August till 23rd September 2014 (Viewing hours: Mon- Sat 10.00am-6.00pm)
5. Category: Sculptures, Installation Art.
6. Contact details: Tel: 03-20923380; 03-22829206
Email: pelitahati1995@yahoo.com , Website: www.pelitahati.com.my
Facebook: www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/phati1
Video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCK_3qmOS9M
The exhibition launch is on Saturday, August 30th 2014, 5.00pm at Pelita Hati Gallery of Art
Of Man, Beasts and the Shepherd King
Installation art is not new to Raja Shahriman. He made his first installation art in his Diploma show in 1990. In 1991 he created his second installation art entitled Bamboo and Glass in an exhibition held in Malaysian Institute of Art. This installation went on to be exhibited in Alter Art, Theatre Work, Singapore in 1992 and in 1993 he made his third installation art entitled Jajahan Takluk in an exhibition in Galeri Wan.
From 1994 on, Raja Shahriman began creating his sculpture series – Killing Tools (1994), Gerak Tempur (1996), Api Bayangan Kemenyan (1998), Semangat Besi (2001), Nafas (2004), Gerak Langkah (2006), Rhythm of the 21st Century in (2009) and Kemelut Zaman (2012). Shahriman’s sculpture series are a sequel, one story leading to another. His artworks carry a message for him to understand and for the spectator to interpret. Each series is an installation in itself and in Api Bayangan Kemenyan and Rhythm of the 21st Century exhibitions, Shahriman had installation pieces within his series. In each of these exhibitions, Shahriman’s sculptures dominate the space they occupy, their shadows adding to the drama, bringing life to his works. For Shahriman, space and form cannot be separated. It is not surprising then that Shahriman has once again embarked in creating an installation art. Gembala, Mana ‘O’ Si Gembala marks his ninth sculpture series and eighth solo exhibition.
The drawings of the Gembala series began in 2009 while Shahriman was working on his Rhythm of the 21st Century sculptures. In 2010 Shahriman made five separate Gembala sculptures. However it was only in 2013-2014 that a collection of this series was put together as an installation piece.
The series Gembala is an installation art that envelops the spectator in the space of the work. Unlike most installation works, the formalism of the composition is still of primary importance to Raja Shahriman as well as the effect it has on spectators. Each sculpture piece incorporating hand forced metal, found objects, horns and animal skulls are constructed with mastery and skillful precision. Every hammer blow, every physical manipulation that Shahriman makes is frozen into the metal. Each piece of sculpture that results is a record of this event and presents a beautiful moment of spontaneous artistic creation. Undeniably as a sculptor, Raja Shahriman has reached a maturity far beyond his years.
Despite his acknowledged prowess as a sculptor, Shahriman’s artworks often evoke contradicting response among spectators, art critics and even fellow colleagues…praises, criticisms, controversial opinions and views. Yet, as a sculptor, Raja Shahriman unrelentingly tells his story from his perspective through his body of art works . . . twisted metal, sharp and deadly, menacing figures, dark shadows are trademarks of his sculptures. His work is an abstraction of his ideas . . . a visualization of his philosophy, his beliefs . . .
The series Gembala will certainly evoke questions, controversial ideas and opinions among spectators. Perhaps to appreciate Raja Shahriman’s sculptures is not only to look at them with one’s eyes but also with one’s mind and heart.
by YM Raja Dr Elina
