Seorang Ahmad dan Seorang Jawa

Zulkifli Yusoff (1962) was born in Kedah, Malaysia. He graduated from Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM) and later attained a Masters in Fine Art at Manchester Polytechnic, United Kingdom. Currently lecturing in UiTM, he works with various media and has played an important role in developing installation art in Malaysia. Zulkifli's works are mostly based on folklores, histories and politics. He has participated in exhibitions locally and abroad namely in Hong Kong, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom. 'Seorang Ahmad dan Seorang Jawa (Ahmad and the Javanese)' depicts a unique, more gritty motif of obtrusive writings framing the subjects. According to Zulkifli, this painting centres upon two figures with 'wayang kulit' attributes. The confrontational gestures of the figures, which could represent conflicting ideals or identities, narrate the corrupting influence of the Javanese which resulted in the death of the legendary Hang Tuah. Hence, this fable seeks an understanding on moral lesson or a social commentary on society rather than a superficial consumption of its aesthetics.