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Ismail Mat Hussin is known for his musculoskeletal renditions of fishermen and garish versions of traditional Malay life focusing on the arts and crafts rendered in mosaic-like compositions. His figures are often strong-limbed and clad in sarung wrapped around the waist right down to the knee. A cloth head-dress protects the head when working long hours in the inclement weather. Marketplace is an excellent example of Ismail’s distinctive style of working. The orange and sepia tones give off a feeling of nostalgia and the scene itself is one that is not changed through time. The figures are finely drawn and the clarity of detail from the patterns on the sarung to the wrinkles on the women’s clothing is a marvel, while the lining of the faces and body define the strong musculature of each figure.

Ismail is one artist who kept true to batik painting until today. His interest was kindled during weekly art painting classes under Nik Mahmood at Padang Garong Malay School in Kota Bharu from 1954 to 1955, and he was also a protégé of Khalil Ibrahim. He is the only remaining batik painter in Kelantan who uses this technique. He became a fulltime artist in 1968 until he started work as a graphic designer cum illustrator with Syarikat Percetakan Dian in Kota Bharu from 1979 to 1991. With a Grade V in the playing of violin, he also worked as a part-time musician with Radio-Televisyen Malaysia in Kota Bharu from 1965 to 1967. He was also a member of Angkatan Pelukis Semenanjung (APS) Kelantan Chapter and Persatuan Senilukis Kelantan (PESENI). His works are in the collection of Galeri Petronas, National Visual Arts Gallery, esteemed corporates and private collections locally and abroad.