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Khalil Ibrahim’s paintings of fishermen at work are both a heroic motto of self struggle and independence as well as the communal spirit. Here, the nine figures, with all the musculature to show strength and sturdiness, are unified in their poses of working on the nets on the beach. One figure, bending over in side profile at the centre, steadies the rhythm while the focus shifts to the right to a figure facing viewer with an unusual dash of white on the face. The sea-sky veneer is pushed all the way to the back.

Khalil’s Fishermen paintings in batik, watercolour and acrylic have its basis in a painting of fishermen pushing the boat which won the 2nd Prize in the Malayan Life national art competition sponsored by Lever Brothers in 1959.