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Ruzzeki Harris graduated from UiTM Shah Alam in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Painting. His works involve mainly figures and reflect a perspective formed by a life of being surrounded by addiction. Commenting on the problems of society - predominantly the effect of drugs on users and communities, his works evoke emotional feelings in viewers by using dripping bitumen, gestural and textural effects in paint. Covering a wide range of psychoanalytical associations such as truth and power; anger and irritation; stagnation and sadness, Ruzzeki confronts and exposes a very real predicament of contemporary communities.

In 2007, Ruzzeki was a finalist for the PACT MACT art competition while in 2008, he was awarded a residency at House of Matahati (HOM) which resulted in his first solo exhibition, ‘Gravitate’ at HOM. Other notable exhibitions include ‘Mana Batik?’ at Annexe Gallery (2007), ‘Loveartpassion’ at 360 Studio Gallery as well as ‘Young and New Part 1 and 2’ at HOM in 2008 to name a few. Ruzzeki’s also showed his ability with other media like music performances in ‘So Sound’ Experimental Music Performance at Pati Satu Studio (2006).

Hero(w)in displays Ruzzeki’s concerns with drug addiction through panels representing different experiences one goes through when taking heroin. The grimy appearance of the piece hints at the scummy nature of Kuala Lumpur and the atmosphere of degradation in both the city and people who take drugs. The words ‘Sakit Otak’ as seen in the work alludes to the after effects of drug abuse. Each panel is like a snapshot of moments and blurred perspectives while the bleeding of paint and drips adds a feel of body fluids leaking across the piece here, creating a very visceral atmosphere. The high and the accompanying void; death, atrophy and deterioration is what emanates from Hero(w)in manifesting the artist’s frustrations and outlook on his subject matter.