Indeed, one young Malaysian has taken the vibrant colours inspired by Japanese animation and splashed them across her canvases. Twenty-six-year-old Izwa Ahmad may be a relative newcomer to the art scene, but already she is showing much promise.
Her curiously titled solo exhibition, “Anything, Anywhere All at Once”, is evidence of this. Held at Artas Galeri in Kota Damansara, Selangor, it features 11 paintings that have captured the attention of local art collectors.
At a first glance, her works are of a surrealist nature, threading the fine line between abstract and reality. Most, if not all, centre around children, depicting scenes of childhood any viewer can relate to.
From a little girl exploring the wonderful woods to a chaotic day in the classroom, these big, bold, and fantastical paintings have many hidden details that only those with a sharp eye will spot.
If you happen to be of the younger generation, keep an eye out for anime characters who occasionally make a cameo in the most unexpected places.
So, why the abundance of children in her paintings? Japan’s famed animation studio, Studio Ghibli, is responsible for this choice.
As it turns out, Izwa lived in Japan from 1997 to 2007 – a decade during which she was exposed to a culture that is “very supportive of the arts”.
But while she has been fascinated with art from a young age, she comes from a family with a large science background, which led to certain expectations being placed on her shoulders.
“I had to choose, for my own life, what I really loved, rather than think about other pathways,” she told FMT.
And although her family was initially apprehensive over her decision, they have since come around, their support buoyed further by her debut exhibition.
‘It’s OK to be alone’
“Anything Anywhere”, Izwa explained, is about the past and the present, and how she sees herself coping in any situation despite her introverted nature.
“It’s OK to be alone,” she said, “in your own world.”
Most of her artworks are based on her own life stories, as well as those of others close to her. “The Aisle of Education”, for example, is a take on her time at school, reflecting just how disordered the average classroom can be.
Some of her other works are more symbolic, with “Ende(e)ring Moment” featuring a herd of… well, you can probably guess. Izwa hinted that it symbolises her complicated love life.
She pointed out that despite the occasionally unhappy meanings behind her work, most of her viewers walk away believing them to be cheerful.
Apart from Ghibli, she cited Wes Anderson – director of aesthetically pleasing films such as “Fantastic Mr Fox” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” – as another inspiration.
“I’m a surrealist,” Izwa explained. “Most of the characters in my artworks are distorted, and the bright colours ooze contemporary vibes.”
She chose this specific style because the local scene is largely dominated by artists from either the realism or abstract camp, and she preferred to walk the middle path.
Each of the 11 artworks began its life as a sketch on paper before being transferred onto canvas. She then brought them to life with vivid detail and colour.
According to Izwa, the two years it took her to complete this collection was “time well spent”. Still, she believes the road ahead will be challenging.
“It’s not easy being a female artist in Malaysia,” she mused, explaining that women generally find it hard to make it in the arts industry.
And being a “lone wolf”, as she put it, further sets her apart from other artists who have had to band together to survive.
Regardless, Izwa is bent on moving forward. After all, as she summed up: “Art is what satisfies me the most in life.”
‘Anything, Anywhere All at Once’ runs until April 7. For more information, check out Artas Galeri’s website, as well as Facebook and Instagram profiles.
Artas Galeri
36, Jalan PJU 5/20D,
Kota Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor