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

Seven Bruneian Artists Feature in Exhibition

Batik Print By Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim Pictures by BT/Sharleen Othman

VETERAN artist, Khalid Othman (picture) explaining his painting yesterday. He was among a group of seven veteran local artists who were featured at an art exhibition to give the public a glimpse of Brunei's culture and ethnicity through their works.

Some 60 pieces of artworks by seven artists have been put on display at the Main Hall in Panaga Club, Brunei Seria.

Besides Khalid, the other artists are Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, Dr Baharuddin Md Arus, Hj Osman Mohammad, Hj Rahim Ahmad and Dr Zahari Hamidon are veterans in the Brunei art scene and each has his own unique artistic expertise.

The works on display represent several different art techniques including batik painting, oil painting, acrylic painting, sketches and digital prints.

Having already showcased their works in a number of other exhibitions, the group eventually decided upon setting up an exhibition showcasing works that represent the Sultanate's unique culture of different ethnic groups.

Uniting their works under the singular theme of "Brunei Ethnic and Culture", the artists said the pieces show not only the different techniques, but also the culture behind them.

"We want to expose the different motif designs of ethnic groups in the country", said Zainal Abidin who organised the private exhibition. For foreigners, this is one way to expose the local culture, he said.

Khalid Othman who has six pieces of work on display said his artwork focused on the the study of movement and features sceneries from Tasik Merimbun and Temburong.

Zainal said he especially wanted youths to see the exhibition as "it is during youth that you develop your ideas of expression".

" This is especially for the youth who are fast forgetting the culture, we want to highlight to them," he added.

The art exhibition which was officially opened to the public yesterday will end today. It is open from 10am until 6pm.

Visitors, particularly budding artists and art aficionados, will have the opportunity to interact and discuss with the artists regarding the works during the exhibition.

According to the artists, their next exhibition will be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which will feature new works with a different theme.

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2011/06/26/seven-bruneian-artists-feature-exhibition