Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim Showcases Childhood Memories at Panaga Club Brunei

Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim with his painting of Sightseeing in Brunei a nodding donkey in Seria town. The painter, who is also a full-time batik designer, held an exhibition called ‘Nostalgia Brunei 2014’ 
at Panaga Club Brunei, Seria, over the weekend. BT/Ikhwan Salleh

VISITORS at the Panaga Club, Seria, were treated to a window to Brunei’s past through art in Brunei, the works of local painter Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim.

Sightseeing in Brunei, Scenic views of landmarks such as the mosques in Kg Ayer and the nodding donkeys in Seria town were vividly captured on canvas with oil and acrylic paints.

The 63-year-old held a a three-day exhibition called “Nostalgia Brunei 2014” (Nostalgic Brunei 2014) in the Belait District where art lovers had the opportunity to study and purchase his works.

Zainal, a full-time batik maker, told The Brunei Times that it had been 10 years since he last painted seriously.

“I started this project early this year due to the interests of the Brunei expatriates and foreigners living in Brunei,” he said, adding the scenes he painted were of the memorable places from his childhood.

“I was born in Seria and I grew up here in 1955/6 before moving to Bandar (the capital) in 1959,” he recalled. “I want to depict the golden days, especially the monuments that still bring back special memories (for me) like the Bolkiah Cinema and the boats in Kg Tamoi.”

Aside from that, Zainal said that he is keen to meet other batik and painting collectors in Brunei and overseas.

If you wish Visiting Brunei to get in touch with Zainal and view his batik creations, visit his gallery, Batik Desamas, at Sg Akar Central, Brunei-Muara District one of tourist attractions in Brunei, , which opens 8am-5pm. If you prefer calling for information first, just call 889 6463.

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/happenings/2014/06/30/painter-showcases-childhood-memories-panaga-club