Abu Bakar who began his artistic career 15 years ago and who has exhibited in 49 exhibitions is finally presenting us with his first solo.
Starting his preparations almost three years ago, Abu Bakar’s works are the result of his serious study of scenes, objects, lighting, colour and mood. Putting these together into his own composition, he has succeeded in producing fine, detailed works.
Abu Bakar’s works are not just pretty paintings. They exude a mystic quality and give the viewer a sense of peace and serenity. What is interesting about Abu Bakar’s works is the innocence his paintings portray and yet the controversies they seem to bring. Focusing on everyday items and kampong scenes, his work has been classified from realism to contemporary Islamic art.
At first glance the works of Abu Bakar Idris portray a naturalistic idylistic quality, reflecting the traditional Malaysian kampung life and rural surroundings beyond. However to be quietly enchanted by these tranquil scenes to look beyond, is to sweep a way the depth or meaning inherent in the images. It could be said that the works embody the essence of the Malay psyche, at once tranquil and self-effacing on the surface, concealing sensitively, ingenuity and a spiritual strength beneath that comes from living within the Islamic spirit.
Cahaya Dan Waktu, Guache, 60 x 80 cm Abu Bakar is an artist whose works are at once contemporary, (tough not in the still popular Abstract Expressionist realm), whilst embodying a tradition in terms of content, that is the unfailing belief in the Islamic spirit. Where normally we would find traditional Islamic art and realistic painting at the opposite ends of the spectrum, Abu Bakar has transcended both and produced a unique synthesis of beautifully observed and rendered naturalistic oils but with wholly Islamic content. Historically, in the Malay idiom this makes them important works, and consequently makes him an important artist.
Haiya "Alas Solah, Acrylic, 90 x 120.1 cm Aku Menantimu Di Kali, Acrylic, 90 cm x 120.1 cm This series of paintings are contemplative in nature, in the sense that they seem to span the centuries, speaking of this life whilst managing to hint at the next life beyond this one. Time is momentarily held captive, allowing us to pause and reflect upon our lives, our goals and our journey through this world.
Cahaya, Gouache, 27 x 36.9 cm In the work "Isteriku Seorang Peguam" (My Wife Is A Lawyer) our viewpoint becomes that of the artist. We stand facing a window through which we see idyllic scenery and the road heading to town. It is mid-morning and the is empty. The table in front of us is a once well-used sewing machine table. Upon it are seemingly discarded objects, a jubah and a book on Quranic instruction, the sewing machine itself is unused. It relates to a time when the artist's wife became full time professional career woman and the subsequent events that probably arose due to her external commitments.
Surat Dari Kota, Gouache, 50.3 x 70.3 cm It is simply raising the question, is this the way we are going? The erosion of traditional Islamic values under the pressure of rapid development throughout the Nusantara has given rise to many questions. The current economic slowdown has historically produced unusual times, but the positive side is that we have a period of grace in which to reflect upon the sheer power of the material forces unleashed by this development.
Anak-Anak, Acrylic, 60.3 x 90.3 cm Many of Abu Bakar works call upon us to look at what we have or have discarded, more closely the Malay sentiments for the life of the kampung is evident here but not in a dewy ewed way, and many of the works reveal a serenity long lost in the modern world at large, but still evident in some rural parts of the Peninsular.
Cahaya Dan Sebuah Nama, Gouache, 48 x 63 cm All in all, these works are in themselves a superb collection of the paintings, with a gracious poetry of light, form and colour and a wholly noble content. Abu Bakar is an artists artist. He is also very much a man of the times.
...I hope his works find their way into important in Malaysia before we see them in London.
HARUN ABDULLAH COOMBES
London, August 1998.Kentong-Kentiong, Gouache, 60.3 x 90.3 cm
