NN GALLERY presents a twoman art exhibition "Katharsis", showcasing the
works of Syahrul Niza Ahmad Zaini and Mohd Hairi Yaakub.

The exhibition, till March 3, features the artists' latest

works in oils on canvas and mixed media on paper.

"Katharsis" is an exploration of the artists' emotions and ideas.

Highlighting feelings of angst, hope, progress and destruction, the duo

reveal the inner voices of young Malaysians in their joint exhibition.

Both artists are graduates of Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Alam,

and have taken part in solo and group exhibitions around the country.

This is their first collaborative effort.

Syahrul Niza looks to the environment and nature for inspiration.

Working mostly in oil, Syahrul renders semi-abstract images intertwined

with symbolic markings.

Using a subtle earthy palette, his works exude a romantic existence

between man and nature. Spontaneous markings such as black circles and

match-stick men prevail in all of his works.

These markings identify with the primitive, as seen in many prehistoric

cave paintings as well as Australian aboriginal Dreamtime art, where

lines and circles tell of stories connecting people to their land and

ancestors.

Syahrul Niza's works speak of man's fragile existence.

Mohd Hairi takes on a more existentialist stance.

He says: "Our body is merely a vessel for the soul, hence the reason

why each soul bears a different vessel each time."

His figures are portrayed as expressive and pensive, looking straight

towards the viewer, confronting them. In contrast, he uses an elegant

sampling of Malaysian motifs to create a wallpaper backdrop on striking

velvety blacks. The contrast between the feminine and masculine is

evident in much of his new works.

Soft, batik-esque designs form the backdrop of his taut, muscular

figures, creating a uniquely poetic vision.

The two-man exhibition reveals two different styles in exploring the

balance and tensions of human experiences.

The two artists present a visually contrasting, bold and dynamic

presentation of contemporary art.

Venue: Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Time: 9am to 6pm (Monday to Saturday). Call 03-4270-6588.