Khairudin Zainudin
Artist 艺术家

“My ideas are transcribed directly from my mind, my hands and to abstract painting.”

Salvador Dali, the prominent surrealist Spanish artist once said: “We are all hungry and thirsty for concrete images. Abstract art will have been good for one thing: to restore its exact virginity to figurative art.”

This quote rings some truths to what UiTM Masters in Fine Arts graduate Khairudin Zainudin may just be trying to capture since the beganing of his professional career as an artist. Inspired and mentored by Suzlee Ibrahim, this Kelantanese artist is famous for his graphite sketching in capturing figure movements.

While there may only be a one-dimensional observation for many of us, Zainudin has taken his talent towards a more voyeuristic capacity towards the mundane – by capturing strokes of movements made by his subjects that unfold in just a single piece of artwork. He cherishes every moments spent in the public documenting the ordinary. And most of the time, it is his inquisitive mind guessing a person’s story that captures extraordinary visuals on a single canvas.

What began as a pastime in 2008 observing and sketching people in their daily lives gradually becomes his obsession towards documenting movements. His countless sketches speak of the stillness amidst the surrounding chaos that are also invigorating and dynamic. Following four solo exhibitions in Tai Chung, Art Taipei, Art Kaoshiung and ArtStage Singapore, Zainudin is fast developing his technique creating day-to-day visuals by overlapping simple yet active lines. He was also part of numerous group shows in Kuala Lumpur including the Prudential Malaysian Eye exhibition and READrawing at Galeri Petronas.

“I want to draw perfect figures but in a minimalised form. So, by using the power and the quality of line, I can further add movements and expand the ideas on my sketches.”

There’s a fine line between a well-composed painting and sketches although Zainudin seems to live in the world between. His spontaneity expands to a certain freedom found in abstract expressionist.

“My ideas are transcribed directly from my mind, my hands and into abstract painting,” added Zainudin. The composition of the images are set the moment the first line appears on a sketch and has been one of the selling points for his artwork.

“I want to draw perfect figures but in a minimalised form. So, by using the power and the quality of line, I can further add movements and expand the ideas on my sketches.”

His most recent creation is in finding the balance between two primer colours – Red and Black. “These two colours cannot really blend together because of the contrasting effect. The challenge is to find the balance between the two, and objectively, communicate the intimate relationship between the artist and the medium used in creating the final artwork.”

Zainudin awakes a sense of wonder and curiosity that encapsulates pockets of memories of the subjects’ histories within each sketch – a diary of the hustle and bustle of life and how it feels to be directly involved in it. He has opened the door to all of us on the fast lane – to focus on someone and spend a few moments blocking out all that is happening around the subject. This activity gave us a glimpse into his world where beauty is in the ordinary.

Salvador Dali, the prominent surrealist Spanish artist once said: “We are all hungry and thirsty for concrete images. Abstract art will have been good for one thing: to restore its exact virginity to figurative art.”

This quote rings some truths to what UiTM Masters in Fine Arts graduate Khairudin Zainudin may just be trying to capture since the beganing of his professional career as an artist. Inspired and mentored by Suzlee Ibrahim, this Kelantanese artist is famous for his graphite sketching in capturing figure movements.

While there may only be a one-dimensional observation for many of us, Zainudin has taken his talent towards a more voyeuristic capacity towards the mundane – by capturing strokes of movements made by his subjects that unfold in just a single piece of artwork. He cherishes every moments spent in the public documenting the ordinary. And most of the time, it is his inquisitive mind guessing a person’s story that captures extraordinary visuals on a single canvas.

What began as a pastime in 2008 observing and sketching people in their daily lives gradually becomes his obsession towards documenting movements. His countless sketches speak of the stillness amidst the surrounding chaos that are also invigorating and dynamic. Following four solo exhibitions in Tai Chung, Art Taipei, Art Kaoshiung and ArtStage Singapore, Zainudin is fast developing his technique creating day-to-day visuals by overlapping simple yet active lines. He was also part of numerous group shows in Kuala Lumpur including the Prudential Malaysian Eye exhibition and READrawing at Galeri Petronas.

There’s a fine line between a well-composed painting and sketches although Zainudin seems to live in the world between. His spontaneity expands to a certain freedom found in abstract expressionist.

“My ideas are transcribed directly from my mind, my hands and into abstract painting,” added Zainudin. The composition of the images are set the moment the first line appears on a sketch and has been one of the selling points for his artwork.

“I want to draw perfect figures but in a minimalised form. So, by using the power and the quality of line, I can further add movements and expand the ideas on my sketches.”

His most recent creation is in finding the balance between two primer colours – Red and Black. “These two colours cannot really blend together because of the contrasting effect. The challenge is to find the balance between the two, and objectively, communicate the intimate relationship between the artist and the medium used in creating the final artwork.”

Zainudin awakes a sense of wonder and curiosity that encapsulates pockets of memories of the subjects’ histories within each sketch – a diary of the hustle and bustle of life and how it feels to be directly involved in it. He has opened the door to all of us on the fast lane – to focus on someone and spend a few moments blocking out all that is happening around the subject. This activity gave us a glimpse into his world where beauty is in the ordinary.

“我想要以极简的形式绘出完美的人物。因此，通过力量和有质感的线条，我可以进一步增加动作步骤，并在草图上拓展观点。”

知名的西班牙超现实主义艺术家 Salvador Dali 曾说过:“我们都渴望得到具体的图像构造。可是抽象艺术却有一个最大的亮点：将具象艺术恢复到最原始状态。”

这个想法对于在玛拉工艺大学（UiTM）取得硕士学位的 Khairudin Zainudin 来说，是他开始艺术创作生涯以来，不断试图捕捉的事实与真理。在 Suzlee Ibrahim 的启蒙和指导下，这名吉兰丹出生的艺术家擅长以石墨素描勾勒人物举动神态。

对于许多人来说，这可能只是一个片面维度的观察，但 Zainudin 的才能却引领了更深入的窥探技巧—在单一作品中开展快速捕捉主题动作神态。他珍惜在公共场合的每一分钟，记录着日常平凡的事物，并通过他的画笔截取定格这些画面。大部分时刻，他也出于好奇心揣测每一个人的故事。

从 2008 年开始，他对于观察人们和展开素描产生浓厚兴趣，作为有趣的消遣活动，他速写描绘了在浑沌周围之中的一片寂静，紊乱中也充满着振奋和活力。而在历经台中、台北艺术节、高雄艺术节和艺术登陆新加坡的四场个人画展之后，Zainudin 快速磨练本身趋向纯熟的创作技巧，以简单而活跃的叠加线条创造日常的视觉效果。他还参与了吉隆坡举行的团体展出，包括在 Galeri Petronas 举行的 Prudential Malaysian Eye 和 READrawing 艺术展会。

在精心创作的画作和素描之间有一个细微的界线，而 Zainudin 似乎伫立于这个世界之间。他的自发性扩展达到抽象表现主义的某种自由境界。

“想法直接从脑部传递，我的手勾勒出抽象画。”而在草图上显示的第一笔线条之创作构图，是他作品的卖点之一。

“我想要以极简的形式绘出完美的人物。”因此，通过力量和有质感的线条，我可以进一步增加动作步骤，并在草图上拓展观点。”

他最近的创作显示在红色和黑色这两种底色之间找到了平衡。由于对比效应，这两种颜色无法真正的混合。所谓的挑战是在两者之间寻找平衡点，并客观地传达艺术家与创作最终作品媒介之间的亲密关系。

Zainudin 唤醒了一种惊叹和奇妙的感受，其中囊括了每个素描的描绘人物历史记忆的口袋—一本关于喧嚣和忙碌生活的日记，以及是如何直接参与其中的感觉。他以快节奏的方式为我们所有人敞开了一扇门—专注于某个人，花几分钟的时间来倾听围绕这个主题发生的一切。这也让我们得以一瞥他的世界，在这里，平凡中绽放的美丽无处不在。

by Monica Tong

Dato’ Kenny Tan
Group Executive Chairman of Ken Holdings Bhd
高胜控股执行主席

“We must mix and match the old and young talents.  We can always learn a lot from the new generation.”

‘Mottainai’ is a Japanese exclamation that conveys regret over waste.  Listed as one of their corporate core values, Ken Holdings Bhd is Malaysia’s multiple award-winning green developer, and an important component of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.  Not a bad show for someone who describes himself as a young and die-hard upstart businessman in the early 80s. Today as group executive chairman of Ken Holdings Bhd, Dato’ Kenny Tan is still the genteel, modest and earnest person that he was decades ago but with added impact, wisdom and even more humility.  Heavily invested in social and environmental responsibilities, this real estate mogul shares, “We strive to remain aware of our effect on the environment, and in the spirit of Mottainai, embrace sustainable practices to prudently and wisely use our resources.”   

Operating from his plush office on the 12th floor of Menara KEN TTDI, Ken Holdings continues to make its mark as a leader in green building design.  What started as a specialist engineering firm in 1980, branched out to construction, development and finally, the coveted listing.  “It has always been my aim to get the company onto the KLSE.”  With projects all over Malaysia, Ken Holdings is proud to call Menara Ken TTDI, Ken Bangsar, Ken Damansara, Ken Aman, Ken Rimba (current), Ken Kota Bahru and Ken Johor Bahru, their own. His successes can be attributed to a singularly firm principle – “You promise, you have to deliver” – heavyweight words from a real estate developer.   

With the KLSE buckle firmly on his belt, and Ken Holdings operating like a well-oiled machine, Dato’ Kenny Tan is delivering more than prestigious homes and smart commercial spaces these days. An avid and discerning collector, great patron and supporter of the arts, Tan recently launched Ken Gallery at Menara KEN. The 20,000-sq-ft art space houses his private collection and an impressive display of local and foreign works. “I have been collecting art for more than 30 years, mainly Chinese paintings, ceramics and antiques.  Previously, most of my acquisitions were kept in stores, my home and office. I am hoping to strengthen my collection as well as show more of Malaysian art through Ken Gallery.”

As a conservationist in nature and art works, Dato Kenny Tan is also a keen restorer and philanthropist. Ken Foundation represents a charity arm that provides scholarships for deserving students to study architecture, business, art restoration, marketing and human resource.   

“I think the Malaysian art industry is in neglect. Malaysian artists are not earning what they should. It’s better now but in the early 70s, Latiff Mohidin’s Pago Pago was only sold for RM20,000”, says this art enthusiast who once modelled for Ahmad Zakii in one of his paintings. 

Zakii may have immortalised Dato’ Tan in a painting, but his son Sam Tan stands in good stead to carry on Tan senior’s legacy at Ken Holdings Bhd. With an engineering and law background, Sam is at the helm of the company as managing director. The proud father shares, “Doubtless, I will continue to work for as long as I can but we must mix and match the old and young talents. We can always learn a lot from the new generation.” 

‘Mottainai’ is a Japanese exclamation that conveys regret over waste.  Listed as one of their corporate core values, Ken Holdings Bhd is Malaysia’s multiple award-winning green developer, and an important component of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.  Not a bad show for someone who describes himself as a young and die-hard upstart businessman in the early 80s. Today as group executive chairman of Ken Holdings Bhd, Dato’ Kenny Tan is still the genteel, modest and earnest person that he was decades ago but with added impact, wisdom and even more humility.  Heavily invested in social and environmental responsibilities, this real estate mogul shares, “We strive to remain aware of our effect on the environment, and in the spirit of Mottainai, embrace sustainable practices to prudently and wisely use our resources.”   

Operating from his plush office on the 12th floor of Menara KEN TTDI, Ken Holdings continues to make its mark as a leader in green building design.  What started as a specialist engineering firm in 1980, branched out to construction, development and finally, the coveted listing.  “It has always been my aim to get the company onto the KLSE.”  With projects all over Malaysia, Ken Holdings is proud to call Menara Ken TTDI, Ken Bangsar, Ken Damansara, Ken Aman, Ken Rimba (current), Ken Kota Bahru and Ken Johor Bahru, their own. His successes can be attributed to a singularly firm principle – “You promise, you have to deliver” – heavyweight words from a real estate developer.   

With the KLSE buckle firmly on his belt, and Ken Holdings operating like a well-oiled machine, Dato’ Kenny Tan is delivering more than prestigious homes and smart commercial spaces these days. An avid and discerning collector, great patron and supporter of the arts, Tan recently launched Ken Gallery at Menara KEN. The 20,000-sq-ft art space houses his private collection and an impressive display of local and foreign works. “I have been collecting art for more than 30 years, mainly Chinese paintings, ceramics and antiques.  Previously, most of my acquisitions were kept in stores, my home and office. I am hoping to strengthen my collection as well as show more of Malaysian art through Ken Gallery.”

As a conservationist in nature and art works, Dato Kenny Tan is also a keen restorer and philanthropist. Ken Foundation represents a charity arm that provides scholarships for deserving students to study architecture, business, art restoration, marketing and human resource.   

“I think the Malaysian art industry is in neglect. Malaysian artists are not earning what they should. It’s better now but in the early 70s, Latiff Mohidin’s Pago Pago was only sold for RM20,000”, says this art enthusiast who once modelled for Ahmad Zakii in one of his paintings. 

Zakii may have immortalised Dato’ Tan in a painting, but his son Sam Tan stands in good stead to carry on Tan senior’s legacy at Ken Holdings Bhd. With an engineering and law background, Sam is at the helm of the company as managing director. The proud father shares, “Doubtless, I will continue to work for as long as I can but we must mix and match the old and young talents. We can always learn a lot from the new generation.” 

“もったいない”这句日文感叹语是表达对于浪费所造成的遗憾。高胜控股（Ken Holdings Bhd）是马来西亚屡屡获奖的绿色概念开发商，同时是吉隆坡证券交易所的上市机构。对于自称是 80 年代初期崛起，年轻而顽固的新贵商人来说，其实这算是相当出色的业绩演出。如今，作为高胜控股执行主席，拿督陈文江仍然保持十年前温雅、谦虚和认真的作风，但他累积了影响力、睿智和豁达。在回馈社会和环境责任方面，这位房地产大亨也分享了他的理念。“我们努力维持对于环境影响的高度意识，本着“もったいない”的精神，接受可持续的做法，谨慎而明智地使用我们的资源。”

从位于 Ken TTDI（敦依斯迈花园）大厦 12 楼的豪华办公室开始，高胜控股继续引领着绿色建筑设计的延伸。1980年，一家专业工程公司历经了从建设、开发到最终挂牌上市。“让公司得以在吉隆坡证券交易所上市一直是我的目标。”而纵观马来西亚所有的房地产发展项目中，高胜控股自身引以为傲的发展计划包括：Menara Ken TTDI、Ken Bangsar、Ken Damansara、Ken Aman、Ken Rimba（近期），Ken Kota Bahru 和 Ken Johor Bahru。他的成功归结为一个不可撼动的原则—“你承诺了，就必须完成与交付”，这是来自房地产开发商的重量级宣言。

随着成为吉隆坡证券交易所的上市公司，他也丝毫没有松懈，高胜控股的全盘运营更犹如效率奇高的精密机械转动着。另外，拿督陈文江目前交付实践的不仅是著名房产计划和精明规划的商业空间，他同时也是一名热心的收藏家，艺术赞助与支持者，他最近在 Menara Ken 创办了 Ken Gallery。这个 2 万平方公尺的艺术空间收纳了他的私人收藏，并展示当地和国外作品。“我收藏艺术品逾 30 年，主要是中国画、陶瓷品和古董。”以前，他收购的大部分珍藏品都是在商库、家里和办公室内存放，但他希望继续深化收藏质量，并通过 Ken Gallery 尽情展现马来西亚艺术。

除了是自然生态和艺术的保护主义者，陈文江也是修复者和慈善家。他所创立的Ken 基金会为那些在建筑、商业、艺术修复、市场营销和人力资源相关的优秀学生们提供奖学金。“我认为马来西亚的艺术领域被忽视了，艺术家们无法获得相应的回馈。虽然现在有点改善，但在70年代初期， Latiff Mohidin 的名作 Pago-Pago 仅卖出2万令吉。另外，这位艺术狂热者还曾成为知名艺术家 Ahmad Zakii 画笔下的模特。

纵然 Ahmad Zakii 的画作可能以不可磨灭的方式定格陈文江，但他的儿子陳致祥却完美继承父亲在高胜控股的业务精神，具备工程和法律学识背景的陳致祥已任职董事经理掌管公司。这位骄傲的父亲说，“只要能继续工作，毫无疑问的，我不会轻易言休，但我们必须更好的融合资深和年轻的人才。我们总能从新一代的身上学到许多。”

By Billie Ooi-Ng Lean Gaik