Foot and Finger Art.by Damia!

Say hello to these fingers! They are ready for action!
Why not lets make or break! Thats what its all about in spontaneous creativity and add a child full of vigour and spunk, we have art in action. Capturing time and space and the mind of a child and her father. This they will never forget for the rest of their lives even if the child is still too young to remember, this blog and pictures and her father will make sure she remembers.

I became a child too crawling on my hands and knees and playing with colours just as i once did when I was a child of 5 or 6.

What are you waiting for? Go on dive in and get your little fingers into the colours, I know you are eager to mess up my big painting!

OH, dont look so innocent! You little squirt!

Thats it one step at a time! Imagine you are walking in space leaving footprints in space!

It feels funny dont it? Dont worry we will get it washed after you are done! No! not on the floor, on that canvass!

No Mommy is not going to going to get her feet dirty not her style, you are the artist now, so go ahead and do your thing.

^That's right press those palms real good and we will see how it comes out.

Thats it clean your feet on the paper before we go to the bathroom and wash them. No you cannot walk there I will have to carry you oK?

Yep it's a dirty job but someone has to do it!!

African American Malaysian Connection Exhibit.2011

The writing on the wall being written by Andrea who was talked into doing it.

The African American Malaysian Connection exhibition is on going now at the MGTF and maybe last for a week or two more. The image of Najjar giving the spill on the subject via a video set up can be heard as soon as I enter the Museum every morning.

Speaking for my part of the show i feel like my works has taken a new spin leading the way to what is now my form of abstract in black and white which in the past i had not felt like I deserve to let out as yet. As I had always mantained, the artist has to have earned the rights of passage to be in the position to venture into what he can declare to be his abstract works.

Thus the three large pieces in black and white are the first few of my venture into the abstract scene although I had done simmilar pieces in Sendai, Japan while I was in resident there. The pieces I did in Sendai were done on Japanese handmade papers and painted with Japanese black ink however.

The one hundred feet long sketche-drawings of Gergetown, Penang is now being displayed for the third time in my exhibitions, however it will always be the more involved and coloured version everytime it is displayed into the future. It is quite a favourite among the viewers as it draws their attetntion tot he details and the comments in the pictures.

The show was very well hung andthe lighting very professional up to MGTF standard.

The Construction Site.. is a large piece of black and sketching done with acrylic on canvass. It was taken from one of my Sketch Books done while i was employed as a Health and Safety Officer at the PETRONAS Refinery sit in Kerteh, Terengganu and later in Gebeng, Kuanatan, Pahang.

Notes from J.Krishnamurti to myself

"Creation is never in the hands of the individual. It ceases
entirely when individuality, with its capacities, gifts, techniques
and so on, becomes dominant. Creation is the movement of the
unknowable essence of the whole; it is never the expression of the
part."

"Destruction is essential. Not of buildings and things but of all
the psychological devices and defences, gods, beliefs, dependence
on priests, experiences, knowledge and so on. Without destroying
all these there cannot be creation. It's only in freedom that creation
comes into being. Another cannot destroy these defences for you;
you have to negate through your own self-knowing awareness.""Self-critical awareness is essential. Imagination and illusion
distort clear observation. Illusion will always exist, so long as the
urge for the continuation of pleasure and the avoidance of pain
exist; the demand for those experiences which are pleasurable to
continue or be remembered; the avoidance of pain, suffering. Both
these breed illusion. To wipe away illusion altogether, pleasure and
sorrow must be understood, not by control or sublimation,
identification or denial..."
Krishnamurti: Is there an observation of silence by silence in silence?

"The whole brain, the mind, the feelings, the body, everything is quiet. Can this quietness, stillness, look at itself, not as an observer who is still? Can the totality of this silence watch its. own totality? The silence becomes aware of itself - in this there is no division between an observer and an observed. That is the main point. The silence does not use itself to discover something beyond itself. There is only that silence. Now see what happens. "

Is there a joy that is not dependent on anything? Is there a light that is not lit by another?

"Attachment is an escape from loneliness. Can this loneliness be understood and can one find out for oneself what is beyond it? That is the real question, not what to do about attachment to people or environment. Can this deep sense of loneliness, emptiness, be transcended?"

Now what is this observer, or thinker, or experiencer?
"The observer is the living entity who is always moving, acting, who is aware of things, and aware of his own existence. This existence he is aware of is his relationship to things, to people and to ideas. This observer is the whole machinery of thought, he is also observation, he is also a nervous system and sensory perception. The observer is his name, his conditioning, and the relationship between that conditioning and life. All this is the observer. He is also his own idea of himself - an image again built from conditioning, from the past, from tradition. The observer thinks and acts. His action is always according to his image about himself and his image of the world. This action of the observer in relationship breeds division. This action is the only relationship we know. This action is not separate from the observer, it is the observer himself. It is the observer who talks about the world and himself in relationship, and fails to see that his relationship is his own action, therefore himself. So the cause of all the division is the action of the observer. The observer himself is the action which divides life into the thing observed and himself separate from it. Here is the basic cause of division, and hence conflict. "
"The division in our lives is the structure of thought, which is the action of the observer who thinks himself separate. He further thinks of himself as the thinker, as something different from his thought. But there can be no thought without the thinker and no thinker without the thought. So the two are really one. He is also the experiencer and, again, he separates himself from the thing he experiences. The observer, the thinker, the experiencer, are not different from the observed, the thought, the experienced. This is not a verbal conclusion. If it is a conclusion then it is another thought which again makes the division between the conclusion and the action which is supposed to follow that conclusion. When the mind sees the reality of this, the division can no longer exist. This is the whole point of what we are saying. All conflict is this battle between the observer and the observed. This is the greatest thing to understand. Only now can we answer our questions; only now can we go beyond the wall of time and memory, which is thought,
because only now has thought come to an end. It is only now that thought cannot breed division. Thought which can function to communicate, to act, to work, is another kind of thought which does not breed division in relationship. Righteousness is living without the separative action of the observer. "

Happy Birthday Bahari!!

The fasting month has flown by almost half the way already and I am happy to say that it has been not too bad this time around thanks to my daughter sacrificing her IPTN loan for me to see through the month. Paid my car two payments and my rent two payments with it and the remainder for day to day use on gas and such. Hansul J.Saidon had helped some earlier paying me for taking care of his friend Najjar's need which I would have turned down had I any other sources but i was dry as usual so it would have been my pride that would turn down his help. I did five large paintings which are hanging on the walls in the MGTF gallery but I doubt that they would be sold as not many collectors passes through this venue. NO, not complaining at all just for the record, so feel free not to feel any sympathy or guitl in the matter for any reason whatsoever, its just part of my blog stating facts both the lows and the highs.
I have had some of the most beautiful moments in my life as an artist in the last three weeks while entertaining Najjar Musawwir and spending quality time with my friend and brother Hasnul. Rumours has it that he might be leaving the museum for good but I hope that it is just rumours. Hasnul has his qualities and it is not all perfect but it is his style for better or for worse. he too is on the road seeking and searching for the right Way but sometimes the right way may not be good enough. It would be a loss if he leaves as his mission with the museum is not fully realized as it is. But if moving on is for his own good than there is not much anyone can do but pray for his success in his future endeavours. It is without doubt that Hasnul has turned the musuem into an icon as far as such institutions are concern in this country. He gave it an active life, a dynamic energy that draws from many great ideas and perspectives. Yesterday at the closing time of the museum three bus loads of school children turned up at the front door only to be turned away as the closing time had been changed during the fasting month.
The museum staff are in a limbo as to what lies ahead if and when their Director leave and many deep down in their heart know and feel the loss as they know it would be doubtful that the replacement candidate whoever that might be will have a hard time filling their boss's shoes. They have dealt with him through thick and thin and their concerted efforts with his ledership has seen many success stories. I have been with them for over five years now as an "Ad hoc" resident artist and have heard, seen and felt their grievances and elations. I have been the one they confide in when things were not going smoothly and I have played my role as a buffer between them and their boss and in doing so I have learned for myself many valuable lessons in the 'Art of Management'.
If and when Hasnul leaves for whatever reason it may be it is highly doubtful that I will hang around here much longer either. This place and its staff has been my refuge over the years and I spend more time here than most of them counting the hours of the day. I have participated in most of their activites within and outside of the museum most of which I enjoyed as they were more lessons to be learned for me. Life is an experiment Mahatma Ghandi once is said to have said and I live my life like and expriment every chance I get. It is a great experiment to be sitting outdoors and sketching portriats of numerous school children and adults ex-gratis. This is my idea of living the life of an artist, a watcher, a documenter and a preserver of events and moments in time.
I stopped asking myself 'why' anymore and I simply do as what comes before me taking one episode at a time and living my life from moment to moment and if in doing so i can benifit one soul for the day, Alhamdullilah!! If by being at the right place at the right time makes a difference in someone else's life for the better Alhamdullilah!! Sometimes i feel I have "squadered my existence for a pocket full of marbles," but most of the time I know i have been set on a track less travelled and my stations in life changes at the drop of a whistle and I have grown used to these changes. I have been warned by my teachers that once on the train you never get off it, this is Zen! To remain committed to the Way of the Buddhas is an endless practice of 'Being Awareness." of "Being Conciousness" of "Being Here and Now!" The rest are just Grist for the Mill. Forms is Emptiness and Emptiness is Form...today you are here tomorrow you are gone, like clouds in the sky and all that you hanker for and all that you drive your mind to madness for, all that you sold your soul to possess, all that are nothing but form and emptiness.
The fasting month it is said is a true test of one's ego whether it can handle thirst and hunger, whether it can curb thoughts from straying towrds lusts and desires. The fasting month will churn out of you all the inherent will to rebel and submission to anger and despair if it is truly observed from day to day. Woe unto he who has to till the land and make the bricks in the blazing hot sun and he has to fast! I am of the fortunate ones who is at present sitting in this airconditioned office and thumping away my neurotic mind to justify my insipid existence! This too is Zen! This too will pass!
Happy Birthday Bahari! Wake UP!! Stay Awake!! Be Awakened!!

The Najjar Phenomena

Martin Luther King and Malcol X would have been proud of this one African American who has spread goodwill and love and friendship among many hearts in Malaysia. The African American - Malaysian- Connection is in the colours of the flag on the wall. This is what can be achieved by the individuals who strive to promote goodwill and friendship across the boarders through sharing of time and space and a sense of creativity.

Standing tall and delivering his wisdom and creativity sharing space and time, Najjar Musawwir came to Malaysia to seek out a long lost friend and he left with a string of new ones most of whom will never forget his brief but eventful visit.
The artist makes his marks not only on plywood boards and canvasses but in the hearts of man women and child wherever he goes.

I was privillaged to have been able to play a supporting role alongside this Boisterous and effective personality and this experience has left me with strong memories. Najjar added spice to my childrens' life as well as mine. Many a word of wisdom and advice sank in while we were interacting, it was as though I was visited by an African American Zen Master.

Hasnul Jamal Saidon is one lucky man to have met this charactor and vice versa for in their meeting some twenty years ago they had set in motion a strong creative energy that swept into everyone's heart wherever and whoever that came into the sphere of its influence.

My daughter sadly was not in time to see Najjar off at KLIA, however she and her friends were there. I am glad she did have an opportunity to meet him while on her visit home to Penang.

Hasnul's Mom must have been quite a lady in her younger days, she is quite a power house today I can tell.

The many trips we took together with Najjar allowed for me to make connections with people who were important in our own personal lives such as Hasnul's Pparents and his eldest daughter.

We felt young again for a brief period of time as we toured the city taking pictures like regular tourists, with Najjar everything seemed a new experience. No one will miss him more than Aizuan who had abdicated his new home in Balik Pulau to allow for Najjar and me to put up for the duration of Najjar's stay here.

All through his visit here Najjar had the uncanniest sense of good luck as he was able to meet most of the prominent or those should be met or worth meeting contemporary artists in Malaysia.

And not to mention one or two celebrities thrown in in the course of his stay. We had a long chat with Wan Zaleha and her sisters at the National Art Gallery, she is said to be very popular at one time as a TV personality among other things. I thought her sister, a lecturer in psychology?, was very perceptive and intelligent too.

Chance meeting with Shukri and Umi in front of the NAG in KL.Twice i metioned to Hasnul that we should drop by at Shukri's home studio for Najjar to meet the couple but we ended meeting them at the NAG instead. Although wqe were not able to spend much time together it was just nice to be able to touch base and keep the ties strong between artists in this country.

Farewell Najjar

Day before yesterday Hsnul, Izuan and I dropped Najjar Musawwir off at KLIA, we were also joined by Hasnul's daughter and mine along with three of her friends from MMU. It was too bad that my daughter and her friends arrived a little late and missed seeing him off, Najjar would have loved to be sent off by four extra lovely young ladies.
Hence goodbye to my new found buddy Najjar Musawwir, the African American Professor and artist extrodinaire... only a Buddha knows a Buddha. We had three great weeks together spending our nights in Balik Pulau sometimes painting, sometimes watching Kung Fu movies and most of the time eating and entertaining the locals.
The highlights of his stay at Izuan's house must have been when Aizuan took him to the pool hidden in the foothills at the back of his house. It was very cold and refreshing that Najjar did not mind visitng it twice in a day. Then there were the times when we visited Wan's mom's house to breakfast in the evenings and the Ramadan Bazaar where Najjar had a difficult time choosing what to eat. But how can I forget the moments when we worked at creating paintings together at the 'Squash Court Studio'! It was here that najjar's enthusiam for work and his sense of creativity affected me most giving me a new boost to move on with my creativity.
I will m0st probably not see him again unless his desire to come back here as a resident artist does take place in the future, however the short time we had together was precious enough to last a lifetime.

The Fasting Month Begins...

My frst day of the fasting month this year was spent at Balik Pulau at the home of my friend Izuan who is a staff member of MGTF. I have been living here for the last two weeks keeping Najjar Musawwir, the African American Professor from Illinois company while also taking care of his needs like driving him back and forth from the Uiversity. Our first "Saur' was at four thirty in the morning having Kassim Mustaffa nasi kandar in Balik Pulau. Later in the afternoon we visited Mr. Khor at his gallery in Pulau Betong, a shop house turned

nto gallery. Mr. Khor took us to visit a few farms belonging to his freinds around Balik Pulau.
It was an exciting day for Najjar as he got to meet yet another artist and see places and things that he would otherwise would not have seen or expereinced. I was feeling very tired from all the travelling in the last few weeks and the start of the fasting month just added to this slowdown. My daughter decideds to return to Penang with a few of her friends and I could not send her the money for her bus ticket! Yipee Ka.A@!! Shame on me! My bad!
My impromptu solo exhibition is going on at the MGTF Gallery alongside Najjar's. it is not a bad show if I may add but being totally broke still is a sin, It is not that I need anything for myself but wheh it comes to my daughter's need it tears me up inside and it is depressing even if I have accomplished much in the last few weeks through being able to travel and meet some great artists and friends. On looking back, the fasting month had never been one for me to be up and cheerful about in the past, there is always the same old nagging pain about money.
Spiritually, with Najjar's presence it has been quite elevating as his spiriutal energy can be contagious in its genuineness and fervor. In our many conversations together touching on life and experiences I have come to realize that I am much more fortunate than most. I have my health intact throughout my life and the many opportuinites that life had afforded me through being in the places that others rarely venture and meeting people who in their own ways have achieved their dreams. I am fortunate to be a part of a community of artists whose aspiration and dedication towards the Arts is something that is still very much alive and still contributes toward the well being of this society. It has been my intention that i share the best as well as the best of my times when I decided to write this blog and thus I share with those who read my state of being in need as well as being needed. It is not with the intention of complaining or making excuses, nor is it to brag or to exegerate what is but to share that fact of lfe, that despite it all a man can still accomplish his or her desired dream with skillful means and patience and perserverence, with humility and humbleness and with the realization the Allah is Merciful and Compassionate...The Just.
SELAMAT BERPUASA TO ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.