Malaysian artist puts a cheeky spin on classic folktales in debut show
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (The Star/ANN) — Aimman Hafizal has taken his time to reach his first solo exhibition. The 30-year-old artist, who has regularly teased his work on social media and participated in group shows, isn't one to rush things.
For his debut solo exhibition, "What If? — A Journey Through Folktales," he draws inspiration from local folklore and classic Malay proverbs, reimagining them with a playful twist.
He is showcasing eight acrylic on canvas works, each set against a backdrop of "imaginary lands."
The first piece visitors will notice in the gallery is "Fast & Fearless," where Aimman reinterprets the classic race between the rabbit and the tortoise — but with fast cars.
"The original story, as we know, has the tortoise winning, and even the rabbit had a chance to win if it fulfilled its potential. In my universe, however, the two are very competitive, driving speed cars and are neck and neck. In reality, everyone has the potential to compete at a high level — it's just a matter of reaching that potential," says Aimman in a recent interview at the gallery.
As a young boy growing up in Muar, Johor, Aimman developed a love for art through anime and manga, while Malay folk tales, rich in storytelling and moral lessons, shaped his imagination.
School art competitions kept him busy, giving him the space to expand his drawing style.
As he gained more experience in the art scene — exhibiting everywhere from cafes to — galleries — Aimman found inspiration from a wide range of artists.
"For local artists, I admire Khalil Ibrahim (1934-2018), a legendary name known for elevating figurative painting through batik. Internationally, I look up to Eko Nugroho from Indonesia; I'm inspired by how he has expanded his art beyond painting into areas like fashion and merchandise," he said.
Aimman, based in Shah Alam, holds a Master's degree in Fine Art and Technology from UiTM (Jalan Othman in Petaling Jaya).
In 2019, he joined the Saung Banon Arts Residency program in Yogyakarta, an experience that strongly shaped his art and storytelling style on canvas.
"Malaysia is also rich with interpretations of folklore, whether through artists or craftsmen. I was drawn by the way these stories could be carried into the modern era, and many of the exhibition's themes revolve around that idea. 'What If?' shows them all compiled together as a series," he says.
Throughout his exhibition at G13 Gallery, he explores cross-cultural themes, blending Western fables with local traditions, and credits his upbringing for inspiring the works he now brings to canvas.
What stands out in Aimman's work is his use of purple, red, and blue tones against dark backdrops, with lighter outlines. Balancing the cartoonish and surreal, his art evokes an alternate universe where Maurice Sendak-inspired charming critters invite closer inspection.
"I developed this art style during my internship at Saung Banon Arts. It was close to nature — with padi fields, gardens, and small animals — which gave me plenty of inspiration over three months of work, along with valuable advice from my art mentor (Dr. Alexandri Luthfi)," he says.
Aimman notes that Malaysia shares much of its culture with Indonesia through history, which is reflected in the repetitive lines and floral motifs often seen in his art.
"But once I returned to Malaysia, I began adding more pop culture elements and characters to the artwork, thinking more deeply about storytelling," he says.
Aimman's new artworks could double as a comic series, with characters whose stories evolve over time. One example is "Komodozilla: Hero Or Villain?", the third in a series about Komodo, an eager villager aspiring to be a hero.
"In this story, Komodo discovers a fruit that makes him a giant. Although he hopes to use his new powers for good, he realises the villagers have fled in fear. It ties to the Malay proverb: Malang Pak Kaduk, ayamnya menang, kampungnya tergadai — a reflection on hollow victories," he explains.
In "From Jaws To Claws," inspired by the well-known story of Sang Kancil and Sang Buaya, Aimman draws from the Malay proverb: "Keluar mulut buaya, masuk mulut harimau."
"The kancil escapes the crocodile, but ends up in a tiger's cave. I wanted to show that no matter how slick and crafty the kancil thinks he is, there's always a greater challenge or danger ahead," he says.
A particularly personal piece, "The Fungiverse" is inspired by the proverb: "Bagai cendawan tumbuh selepas hujan." Each mushroom character represents an artist Aimman has met along his journey.
"I spent more time on this artwork because it involved interviewing people about their favourite animals for their 'fursona' — a popular online trend. As I added more characters, they began to mushroom, serving as a reminder of how many others are on the same journey as me in my career as an artist," he concludes.
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