089

In these two etchings, Ahmad Khalid Yusof explored and projected another facet of his art, in creating interesting patterns of colour with geometric and organic play. This allowed for a freer feeling production than his more structured works involving khat (calligraphy) in which he combined both silkscreen and acrylic brushstrokes. Space Series 4 assumes a different tack with the squiggles more spaced out and in horizontal format. These are covered by a large orange block in the centre with faint indeterminable shape, sharply contrasted by the mint green background. Homage to D.P. is searing with its coal-fire red in the centre highlight of a descending diagonal, which is ‘slowed’ by a line strategically placed off-right. All around, independent squiggles create a corresponding rhythm despite being muted and in some parts denser.

Ahmad Khalid is known as an art academician, artist and activist. He graduated from the Malayan Teachers College in Kirby, Liverpool in 1957 and attended the Specialist Teachers Training Institute in Kuala Lumpur in 1963. After the Winchester Art School (1966-69), he continued his studies at Ohio University, obtaining his MFA in 1976. He taught at MARA Institute of Technology from 1970 to 1989, retiring as Deputy Dean (Academic Affairs). He was Director of Shah Alam Art Gallery from 1991 to 1997. He served several terms as founder-president of the Malaysian Artists Association (PPM) which was established in 1979. He was appointed Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka guest writer in 1994.