A Journey Through Personal Struggles and Artistic Expression: Mubarak Jamil's Ceramic Sculptures Illuminate the Unknown
By Hilyati Ramli & Muhanniz Mesri
Penang’s Hin Bus Depot has become a beacon for contemporary art, and its latest offering, “Into The Unknown,” by Mubarak Jamil, is a compelling testament to the power of personal narrative expressed through ceramic art. This debut solo exhibition, running from August 15 to 25, 2024, showcases Mubarak’s artistic journey, filled with the unpredictable challenges that have shaped his life.
The exhibition centers around a series of ceramic sculptures, most notably his reinterpretation of the iconic KAWS figure. This reimagined figure, with a broken ear, symbolizes Mubarak’s personal struggle with a ruptured eardrum, encapsulating the vulnerabilities and resilience found in the human condition. Through his innovative use of marbling and dripping techniques, Mubarak conveys a sense of chaos and spontaneity, reflecting the unpredictable nature of his own life experiences.
Photo credit: Tidal 61
One of the standout pieces, titled “Adapting,” is a striking portrayal of a figure seated within a circular frame. The marbled effect on the figure emphasizes the fluidity of human experience, while the broken sections of the circle suggest the inevitability of life’s disruptions. The black and white palette, streaked with pink, reinforces the tension between stability and fragility, making “Adapting” a powerful metaphor for the artist’s resilience.
In contrast, “Asseverate” features a white figure standing atop a mushroom-shaped platform, bathed in deep blue drips that cascade over the edges. The simplicity of the figure contrasts sharply with the dynamic energy of the blue, suggesting a quiet determination to stand firm amidst a deluge of external forces. The title itself, meaning to affirm or declare positively, adds a layer of defiance and conviction to the piece.
Photo credit: Tidal 61
The exhibition culminates with “Last Baraq Standing,” a sprawling composition of 18 figures, each uniquely glazed, standing or lying in various states of repose. This piece is particularly poignant as it visually narrates the myriad of experiences that have influenced Mubarak’s life and work. The diverse colors and forms within the grid-like structure echo the complexity of the human experience, where each figure represents a different facet of the artist’s journey.
Mubarak Jamil, a Klang-born artist educated at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), has skillfully merged traditional ceramic techniques with contemporary themes. His works bridge the historical with the modern, grounding his personal narrative within a broader cultural context. The result is a collection that not only speaks to the artist’s individual journey but also resonates with the universal experience of navigating the unknown.
Photo credit: Tidal 61
“Into The Unknown” is more than an exhibition; it is an exploration of life’s unpredictability and the ways in which art can serve as a vessel for personal reflection and communal understanding. Mubarak’s work stands as a bold assertion of his artistic identity, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys through the unknown.
Penang Art District would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to UOB Malaysia, the main sponsor of this exhibition. UOB has a long legacy as a patron of the arts in Asia, and their support has been instrumental in bringing Spotlight and “Into The Unknown” to life, enabling Mubarak Jamil to showcase his work on this significant platform.
Nur Hilyati Ramli is a Penang-based theatre practitioner from Melaka. A Universiti Sains Malaysia graduate with a Master’s degree in Fine Arts, she has been involved in various aspects of performance locally and internationally since 2004. She has lectured and facilitated children’s workshop performances and performing arts classes under the patronage of organisations such as Ombak-Ombak ARTStudio, Arts-ED Penang, Penangpac, College International Yayasan Malacca, Sultan Idris Education University, and People Theatre Taiwan Troupe. She is currently a theatre lecturer at the School of the Arts, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Muhanniz Mesri graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Drama and Theatre. Having discovered that theatre is a great platform to help children gain greater self-esteem, improve social skills, and even deal with social anxiety, Muha believes she can use drama and theatre to help empower special needs children at Oaktree Resource Centre.