The Kuala Krai, Kelantan-born visual artist has created 19 intricate ballpoint-pen artworks on raw canvas. His works, exhibited at Artas Galeri in Kota Damansara here, reflect a deep love for the nation and a hope for a united Malaysia.
“I’m hoping to ignite a newfound love for the country among Malaysians and to prioritise unity among the many races here,” said Zaim, a fine-arts graduate from UiTM Shah Alam.
Zaim used over 400 pens to infuse Malaysian elements into his art, including the coat of arms of each state, state mottos, lyrics to “Negaraku”, and lines from the Rukun Negara. The collection took him 18 months to complete.
Each artwork is meticulously crafted, every pen stroke executed with such precision that each resembles a printed work.
The exhibition will be officiated by investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz on Monday.
Inspired by the 2007 film “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”, Zaims said the title of the exhibition is derived from the Resolute desk used by US presidents and featured in the film.
“I like that movie because it’s about the search for national treasures, how the character is trying to clear his name while wanting to show his love for his country,” he explained.
“Resolute” is not just an exhibition, it’s a visual call to action: Zaim’s work emphasises the importance of unity, strength, and national pride as the pillars of a strong Malaysia.
To illustrate this, he drew inspiration from ancient Rome to “concretise the concept of patriotism”, which he notes is not a tangible thing. He uses the four types of ancient Roman columns as metaphors for unity and strength.
“The Roman Empire was a strong one. I decided to take it a step further and used the human torso, another ancient-Roman element, as part of the columns to show how the people play a big role in the strength and stability of a nation,” Zaim explained.
One of the most striking pieces, titled “Rukun”, pays homage to the Rukun Negara. At 300cm x 165cm, it is the largest piece in the collection, and took him nearly two months to complete.
The majestic work resembles the front of a large house, standing strong with five pillars. The corner pillars are supported by human torsos representing the people, while the middle ones are upheld by the metallic structure above the Dewan Rakyat speaker’s seat, symbolising the members of parliament.
“I wanted to show that the community and MPs need to be united to create a strong nation,” Zaim added.
To further solidify the piece, Zaim inscribed the five principles of the Rukun Negara at the base of each column, with the national coat of arms and floral wood carvings found at Dewan Negara atop the artwork.
Another standout piece, “Wall of Independence”, captures the essence of Merdeka. Shaped like an archway, the year of Malaya’s independence forms the foundation of the pillars, which also frame the Jalur Gemilang.
Zaim’s art serves as a reminder of the values that bind Malaysians together, offering a vision of a future where every citizen stands resolute in their love for the country.
And through his exhibition, the artist hopes to create a space where everyone can come together, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversations.
“This is what Merdeka means to me: to be free from disharmony. If there is unity among the races, that’s true freedom.
“I hope my exhibition will be a meeting point among the races, and that my artworks may serve as a point of reflection for many,” he concluded.
‘Resolute’ runs from Aug 26-Sept 17. For more information, visit Artas Galeri’s website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Artas Galeri
36-3, Jalan PJU 5/20D,
Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya
Opening hours: 11am-5pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays)
For location, click here.