Syukur Rani
b. 1994, Malaysia
With a Bachelor of Fine Art from UiTM Malaysia, Syukur Rani’s contemporary artwork celebrates childhood imagination. As a kid, he loved drawing cartoon characters on his house wall, such as Batman, Superman, etc. Today, he creates his own characters with their own stories.
Sparked by the stories and visuals he read as a child, Syukur’s artwork engages in social and political commentary on the art scene locally and globally in an imaginative and boundless style. Syakur visualises characters based on human characteristics and behaviour. “The Rider” is about his daily survival as an artist as well as a reflection on political issues. The man in the artwork symbolises the people who always take advantage of others, known in Malay proverbs as penunggang. “DREAMLAND…” tackles the concept of promises and wishes. The man in the artwork reflects himself as an artist who always dreams and wishes for a stable, and good lifestyle. The artwork also reflects a political dynamic in which politicians give manifestos to hopeful people who are left waiting on their promises.
Participating in competitions across Malaysia, Syukur won the Jury’s Selection in the MIDF Art Awards in Malaysia. His work has also been collected and appreciated by private clients.