MR. MOHAMAD RIZAL SALLEH

Rizal, originally trained as a ceramist at The School of Art and Design, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia for almost five years. Then he has been awarded a scholarship by the Government of Malaysia to pursue post-graduate studies at the Nagoya University of Arts, Japan for two years. He specialist in wheel throwing and hand build ceramic techniques. Exploring the malleability of the wet clay, he has developed individual hand building techniques to create freestanding artworks that were inspired from the rich nature and rainforest mountainous of his home country –Sarawak, Malaysia.

ARTIST STATEMENT 

I see my artwork as a type of personal evolution, each piece and concept leading to the next as I constantly learn and grow as an artist, and as a person. For several years my focus has been the exploration of abstracted versions of nature. I have been considering subject matter such as tree trunk, seed, cocoon, and embryo to talk about life, and the will to live. My intention with all of my artwork is to make references to the process of survival.   I have seen a special strength within people who are ill. Despite adversity, they have a strong desire and determination to live. There can be a newfound spirituality, which only adds to inner strength and beauty. It is this strength and beauty that I hope to express in my art pieces. My artwork often contains both beautiful and disturbing elements. Because my works are meant to show beauty within the ill, both of these qualities are important.   The art pieces are not meant to dwell on the concept of dying. The pieces are about living. I hope to show the beauty and spirit that can be found in daily life, and in doing so, wish to make the viewer more aware of the life around them.

BIOGRAPHY

Full Name: Mohamad Rizal bin Salleh

Date of Birth: 10 June 1982 / Kuching, Sarawak

Occupation: Lecturer (Ceramic Fine Art & Ceramic Studio)

EDUCATIONS

• M.A. Studio Formative Arts (Ceramic), School of Art, Nagoya University of Arts, Nagoya, JAPAN. Graduation – March 2009

• B.A. (Hons) Art and Design (Ceramic), Faculty of Art and Design, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Graduation – May 2006

• Diploma in Art and Design (Ceramic), Faculty of Art and Design, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Graduation - April 2004

HONOUR / AWARDS

• Major Award, Penang Art Open, MALAYSIA – 2020

• Major Award, Penang Art Open, MALAYSIA - 2015

• Best Student’s M.A., School of Art, Nagoya University of Art, JAPAN – 2009

• The Art Issue Awards, 1st Japanzine Art Issue, JAPAN – 2009

• Grand Prix, ‘The 4th Decorated Terracotta Competition’ JAPAN – 2009

• Grand Prix, ‘The 3rd Decorated Terracotta Competition’ JAPAN – 2008

• Special Judge’s Award, ‘CBC New Artist Talent’, JAPAN – 2008

• Best Student’s B.A. (Hons.) Art and Design (Ceramic), UiTM Shah Alam – 2006

• Gold Prize Award, Nagoya University of Arts (Ceramic Degree Exhibition) – 2006

• ‘Upstart 05’ Nokia Creative Arts Awards, (finalist) – 2005

EXHIBITIONS

2021 World Nature Conservation Day, Philippines - Malaysia Joint Art Exhibition

2020 Hope - Open Show Penang, Penang State Art Gallery, Malaysia

2020 Move On - Art Exhibition, Department of Fine Art, FSSR, UiTM

2020 International Virtual Art Exhibition (IVAE), UiTM, Malaysia

2020 ‘Traversing 175 Art + Photo Exhibition, Galeri Prima, Bangsar Kuala Lumpur

2019 ‘Ilham 2019’, Galeri Prima, Bangsar Kuala Lumpur

2018 ARCADESAII, International Art Exhibition, Creative Media Hub (CMT), UiTM, MALAYSIA

2017 1st KL Biennale ‘Belas Alam’, Galeri Visual Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The 4th Jakarta Contemporary Ceramics Biennale, Galeri Nasional Indonesia.

2016 The 7th International Ceramic Contemporary Exhibition, Balai Seni Visual Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2015 ‘Harapan’, Balai Seni Lukis Negeri Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

2014 ‘Ilham - FSSR’, Galeri Seni Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan

2012 ‘Urbanisation’, Galeri Seni Tuanku Nur Zahirah, UiTM Shah Alam

‘Ilham VI’, Pelita Hati Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur

2011 ‘Bicara Sifu’, Petronas Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur City Centre

2010 ‘Timbul’, Pelita Hati Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur

2009 Nagoya University of Arts – Graduate Exhibition, Yada Gallery, Nagoya, Japan

Foreign Artist’s Exhibition – Nagoya International Center, Nagoya, Japan

The Exhibition of The 4th Decorated Terracotta, Hekinan Art Museum, Japan

2008 The Exhibition of The 3rd Decorated Terracotta, Hekinan Art Museum, Japan

CBC New Artists Talent, CBC Gallery, Nagoya, Japan