Artist: Zahari Hamidon
Title: Self-Portrait
Medium: Digital Painting (AI-generated (MidJourney))
Year: 2023
This artwork employs a blend of realism and abstract expressionism to explore the theme of childhood within the context of Malay culture, specifically against the backdrop of a rubber plantation. The central realistic portrayal of a child contrasts with the abstract, vibrant strokes of the background, suggesting rows of rubber trees. This contrast may symbolize the vivid and immediate experiences of youth set against the complex cultural and economic structures of rural Malaysia. The vertical panels evoke the structured environment of plantation life, while the warm colour palette captures the tropical ambience and the economic richness of the land. This piece reflects upon the inheritance of culture and identity amidst traditional livelihoods, evoking a contemplation of growth—both personal and agricultural—and the shaping of new generations within these inherited landscapes. It’s a visual narrative on the interplay between individual development and cultural-economic settings.
Contemporary artwork by ‘Zahari Hamidon 2023’ is copyrighted; use requires the creator’s permission, subject to fair use
