Saturday, December 09, 2006

Md Yusoff Othman: Surrealism Within Realistic Photographic Art

I have been searching extensively for some Malaysian artwork which would fit my taste. There are many but this particular artiste really caught my attention.

His name is Md Yusoff Othman, an artiste-lecturer in University Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor.

For more detailed information about him, please view it here:
http://www.nngallery.com.my/cof/102/

Let's take a look at some of his pictures of a recent exhibition here:
http://www.nngallery.com.my/cof/102/work331.html
http://www.nngallery.com.my/cof/102/work330.html

I particulary like this piece themed "Gelora Sebutir Batu" taken at Sungai Pisang, Gombak:
http://www.nngallery.com.my/cof/102/work332.html

There is a big stone in the middle of the picture surrounded by water. By the side of the water is the trees.

Looking at this image, It feels real to see the colour tone of the stone and the trees.

Perhaps it is the colour scheme of the waters, or maybe the position of the stone makes it surreal. The edge of the waters meeting with the land at the middle right of the picture resulted in the effect as if the stone is actually not on water but floating in clouds.

But, how can we have trees above the clouds?

The trickery of mind somehow blurs the distinction between real and surreal. The mind believes it is real but bordered on "suspect" upon second look. However, the piece still stands a realistic piece.

An example of a good selection of scene with both features in mind before photographing.

Hope to see more from him.