| Ishan Ibrahim |
AN ART exhibition showcasing Haji Dayang bin Haji Mutalip’s work is being held at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Brunei Darussalam.
The exhibition saw guest of honour Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, foreign emissaries and guests viewing the works of Haji Dayang.
Haji Dayang is a self-taught artist born in Kampong Ayer in 1956.
At a young age, he often helped colour the sketches of siraung made by his mother.
He discovered his talent in primary school and his interest in art developed throughout his studies at sixth form centre in Jalan Muara as an art-stream student before he started working under Radio Television Brunei as a book illustrator, animator, graphic designer and scenic artist.
During his 33-year tenure with the government, he attended various workshops and courses overseas on animation and film. Now living as a pensioner, he is more focussed in painting landscapes and portraits, and joins more actively in art competitions and exhibitions where he won many prestigious awards.
Painting on canvas is a way of his choice in communicating with audience.
Most of his artworks are landscapes of the green nature, Brunei’s cultural heritages such as mosques and Kampong Ayer, padian, portraits of indigenous people and their traditional works, as well as portraits of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
Haji Dayang does not only paint to make a living but also to create visual awareness of the current events for the people and future generations of Brunei. He emphasised on the study of colour and lighting, which highlights the importance of perspective to produce a high-quality artwork.
As a veteran local artist, he showcased his recent artworks through Pause and Rewind Exhibition 2018, organised by Creative Space Art Gallery and Studio, hoping to reach out a rather younger audience.
His displayed paintings vary from a view of the Belalong Canopy Walk to a portrait of a Kadazan woman.
The exhibition is open to public until October 25 at Simpang 52, Kampong Manggis Satu from Monday to Friday between 10am-noon and 2.30pm-4pm.