Faizal Suhif

b. 1984, Malaysia

Faizal Suhif was born in 1984 in Johor Bahru.After obtaining his diploma in Fine Art at UiTM in Malacca (2002-2006), he graduated with a degree in Fine Art (2008) and a Master of Fine Art and Technology (2013 ) in UiTM Shah Alam.

He gets his inspiration through his admiration of nature. Faizal describes his creative process and his travels saying: “I am fascinated by the interplay of order and randomness that is found where man and nature meet” he said. “I have depicted isolated areas of the scene which seem floating, silent, dark and gloomy… It was an interesting journey because each place gives a different marking. I am left with some exquisite marks that are a curious mixture of planning and randomness which something I feel underlies so much of my work.”

This piece is the road to self from the experience and activities his father whom he had travelled together while they work on a piece of land in the village yard. From the land that is fertile and lush until returning back to barren. These are the message that reminds him of his father, that human life is short like the plants but instead of wallowing, one should do something that can bring benefits to themselves and others.

His artworks tell the story of a life metaphor to undergo and cared for like sowing the seeds up into the tree that eventually will be beneficial to everyone. There are images of seeds from different plant types. Its function is to learn the knowledge of God that gives us sustenance and greatness that there are times comes from just a tiny seed. A thousand seeds can be sown but there won’t be a thousand plants growing, shooting from the earth. Each effort given, are also a test to our faith. According to Faizal, this also tests the ability of our appreciation towards the earth itself. A fertile land which accepts water and is ready to produce vegetation. When rain falls on it, it absorbs the water eagerly, giving rise to all sorts of wonderful plants. This is the example of a healthy, pure, and intelligent heart, which embraces knowledge, is guided by its intelligent nature, and thus blossoms wisdom and faith. It is eager to take the knowledge and ready to bear fruits. It’s an unquestionable issue to depict the outcome and fortune to derive from our efforts but the intention in learning from the life process and journey.

He specialises in charcoal drawing and printmaking and has won various awards such as the Excellent Master Award UiTM, the Honourable Mention, NBC 1st Screen Print Biennale in Japan and the UOB Painting of the Year Bronze Award in 2015. Faizal has been exhibiting extensively in Malaysia and abroad (Bangladesh, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Indonesia and Turkey) since 2004. Faizal Suhif currently lives and work in Selangor, Malaysia.