Fauzul Yusri

016

b. Kedah, 1974
Fauzul Yusri
Grey Park
2006
signed and dated ‘FAUZUL YUSRI 06' lower right
oil on canvas
107 x 107cm
Provenance
Private collection, Kuala Lumpur.
Estimate
RM 6,000 – 8,000
Price Realised
RM 13,200

A dedicated artist with a strong career, Fauzu Yusri is recognised for pushing the boundaries in painting through his distinct vocabulary of mark-making. The scarring, layering of surface and interesting textures have become fundamental to Fauzul’s imagery. Isolated forms appear as if suspended in the midst of dense surface. Fauzul’s geometric abstractions also have qualities of graffiti, and the look of blemished walls that mirror the decay and degradation of contemporary urban life.

Fauzul graduated from UiTM Shah Alam in 1999 and since then has been exhibiting in various galleries in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. Besides six solo exhibitions, the most recent being ‘Ground’ (2007), ‘Raw’ (2009) and ‘Guris’ (2011) at Taksu Kuala Lumpur and ‘Play’ (2009) in Singapore, he has had numerous group exhibitions since 1996 at leading galleries the likes of Pace Gallery, National Art Gallery Malaysia, Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Valentine Willie Fine Art, NN gallery and more. Fauzul received special mentions in the Kijang Art Awards by Bank Negara Malaysia in 2004 and at the Young Contemporary Art Award at National Art Gallery Malaysia in 2002. His work has been collected by Bank Negara Malaysia, EQ Fine Arts Gallery Kuala Lumpur, HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad, National Art Gallery Malaysia and Seksan Design to name a few.

Grey Park by Fauzul precedes what has become known as his distinct etching techniques. However, there is evidence of development towards his present style in scratching of the surface. This painting consists of thick patches of applied paint - energetic and confident - alongside guileless drawing that look like scribbles. It is a minimal piece and is more atmospheric than his later works, relying on sweeping brushstrokes and layering of colour to create a particular ambience. Darker hues suggest ominous rainclouds brewing, overtaking the blue sky and obscuring other elements. Aesthetically pleasing, it is a work that demonstrates Fauzul’s skill in rendering stirring artworks using his ingenuous approach.