050

EXHIBITED
Historical Overview 1954-1994, Nanyang Gallery of Art, Kuala Lumpur, 1994-1995, illustrated on catalogue.

A private consoling moment between two sisters is shown with their heads close together and their eyes cast downwards in a mournful gesture. Short bold outlines highlight certain areas in this composition which plays on positive-negative space marking two different emotional spheres, outlined in oval shapes that were symbols that loom in every work post his one year study in Chicago.

Syed Ahmad Jamal was born in Johor in 1929. He received his early art education at the Chelsea School of Art in London (1951-1955) and his art teacher’s certificate at the London University (1955-1956). He was awarded the Fulbright scholarship to study sculpture at the Chicago Art Institute from 1963 to 1964. In 1974, he achieved his Masters in Art History after a two-year stint at the University of Honolulu, Hawaii. He had won prizes locally and internationally: First prize in Johor Art exhibition in 1950, Summer Competition, Chelsea School of Art London in 1954, Federation Art Competition Kuala Lumpur in 1962 and the National Bank of Malaysia Mural Competition. Syed Ahmad Jamal is recognised for his achievement of being an artist, educator, administrator and writer. For his great contribution, he was awarded the Seniman Negara (National Artist) in 1995.