ABOUT THE ARTIST

Zul Albani, born in Selangor, Malaysia, 1965, is a self-taught artist. He is a member of the APS -ANGKATAN PELUKIS SEMALAYSIA. He currently lives and work in the Kajang. Zul Albani’s work focuses on the sociol-political and cultur al issues. Since 2012 until now, I’ve mostly used Bitumen and Acrylic on canvas. After graduating high school, I moved to Kuala Lumpur, and working as graphic designer. Learned about art in weekend. My artwork takes a critical view of social, political and cultural issues. Art is tool for me to express personal feeling and opinion on issues for instant war, injustice, live and etc. that the way I fight. My work is a reflection of my mind. Artist present their thinking about the society and politics through the exhibition. World become more material and a celebrity society we care about those celebrities, star, politicians, rather than child begging on the street. I show and at the same time, I hide. I hide things in the text, in the shadows and especially in the meanings behind my works. Senirupa bukan semata perkara visual, tapi ia adalah medium untuk mengatakan apa sahaja. Senirupa adalah alat komunikasi. Kanvas adalah tempat utk menampilkan persoalan. Seni adalah alat bagi saya unuk mengekspresikan perasaan peribadi dan pendapat tentang isu-isu semasa contohpenyelewangan, politik, korup, gila kuasa, ketidakadilan, kehidupan, kematian dan sebagainya. Seni adalah perasaan, fikiran kita pada ketika itu.

ART STATEMENT

‘My paintings are a very literal reflection of life, whether good or bad. I regard my
works as expressions of the transposition of cultural values. I feel that our core
values are being overpowered by greed and desires that can only be satisfied
with monetary wealth so that now life looks like it has become a circus. The reason I have placed by subjects in a circus setting is because culturally we rarely potray our opinions openly but rather behind a facade. Because consumerism has become such an empowered force in our everyday lives. Additionally “Branding” has become an integral part of our world. In my painting, text takes on a contextual meaning as it is meant to interact with the images. While it could be said that such expressionism may not be totally new - in today’s world there is no copyright. And with such regard, I have added text so that my art may reach a broader audience as I would like more of the Malaysian public to view and appreciate art. ‘My series of paintings address the social-economic delimmas that ordinary Malaysians are encountering in the name of Nation Building.’

- SHIREEN NAZRIN

BIOGRAPHY

ZUL ALBANI Born in 1965, Sepang, Selangor, MALAYSIA. Lives and works Kajang, Selangor, MALAYSIA.

EDUCATION

1990 DESENTA Design Studio/Art Gallery, Bandung, INDONESIA.
1986 Lines Drawing, EL- ART Studio, Selangor, MALAYSIA. (APAYEE)
1985 Saturday Art Class, Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia (APS) Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2014 SANDIWARA CIRCUS. a2 Gallery, Penang, MALAYSIA.2003 COLOUR & LINES. Balai Berita NSTP, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2013 “Arts Kuala Lumpur – Melbourne: Discover Malaysia Art ” MiFA Event, Melbourne, Australia.2010 PAMERAN MEKAR CITRA 2010. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor, MALAYSIA. 2010 PAMERAN PELUKIS SELANGOR. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor,  MALAYSIA. 2009 Selected Artist for The Abraaj Capital Art Prize 2010 in Art Dubai 2009 with Art Curator -  Shireen Nazrin. OPEN ART SHOW. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor, MALAYSIA. 2008 The Framing Concept & Gallery Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. MALAYSIA
OPEN ART SHOW. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor, MALAYSIA. 2007 PAMERAN SAMBUTAN 59 TAHUN KEMERDEKAAN MALAYSIA. National Art Gallery,
Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. OPEN ART SHOW. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
2006 OPEN ART SHOW. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor, MALAYSIA. 2005 KAJANG ART GROUP. National Library BBB, Selangor, MALAYSIA. OPEN ART SHOW. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor,MALAYSIA. 2004 COLOUR RECIPE. Art Talk Gallery, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. 2003 A CHARITY ART EXHIBITION, Arttalk Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. OPEN ART SHOW. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor, MALAYSIA. 2002 KALIMAH GROUP WITH PERDASAMA. PWTC, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. 2001 BATIK MALAYSIA. ArtTalk Gallery, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. 2000 ISLAMIC ART. UKM Bangi, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
1998 ASEAN CARTOONS EXHIBITON. (JCC) Japanese Culture Centre, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. 1997 MALAYSIA CARTOONS EXHIBITON. National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. OPEN ART SHOW. Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor, MALAYSIA.
1996 MALAYSIAN CARTOONS EXHIBITON. (JCC) Japanese Culture Centre, Kuala Lumpur,MALAYSIA. 1995 UNTITLE. Desenta Gallery, Bandung, INDONESIA.

ART ACTIVTY
2007 KEM PELUKIS MALAYSIA SEMPENA 50 TAHUN KEMERDEKAAN MALAYSIA with KeKKWA and National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.  2006 LAMAN SENI PUTRAJAYA, Wilayah Persekutuan, MALAYSIA. 2005 LAMAN SENI KUALA LUMPUR. National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA. 2004 LAMAN SENI KUALA LUMPUR. National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

AWARDS
2008 Finalis Kategori Terbuka Anugerah Seni MRCB 2008, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.
2007 Sijil Penghargaan Kem Pelukis Malaysia “ MURAL 5O TAHUN KEMERDEKAAN”
1992 S ijil Penghargaan Bengkel “ KARTUNIS: CABARAN DAN MASA DEPAN” UITM Shah Alam, Selangor, MALAYSIA.

CREDIT:
CURATOR Alfred and Shireen Nazrin
PHOTOGRAPHY a2 Art Gallery
GRAPHIC DESIGN MiroArtStudio
a2 Gallery
27 Lorong Bangkok
10250 Penang, Malaysia.
t: +604 2274 985
e: admin@a2artgallery.com
w: a2artgallery.com

Website:

www.zulalbani.nobullart.com  

www.albaniart.carbonmade.com  

www.onlinegalleries.com.au/users/albany  

www.ArtWanted.com/zulalbani

www.fill-the-walls.com  

www.artnews.org/zulalbani

zulalbaniart.artpickle.com

zulalbaniart.see.me

zulalbaniart.carbonmade.com

www.artnews.org/zulalbani

Comments:

1. November 2009 - Karin Weber Gallery, Central, Hong Kong

Zul Albani, we like some of your abstract works. When I visit Kuala Lumpur, I will make an appointment to see you. Best regards,Karin Weber, Karin Weber Gallery,G/F, 20 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong (852) 2544 5004, art@karinwebergallery.com, www.karinwebergallery.com

2. September 2009 - GALLERY GORA, Montréal QC Canada

Zul Albani, we have viewed your work and would like to offer you an opportunity for an exhibition in Montreal, for the year 2010/2011. Please do not hesitate to contact the gallery for further information. Best regards,Sarah McDonald, GALLERY GORA, Contemporary Art & Design Contemporain279 Sherbrooke West, suite 205 Montréal QC Canada H2X 1Y2, Tel:(514)879-9694 Fax:(514)879-0164 art@gallerygora.com, www.gallerygora.com

3. August of 2009 - Córdoba, Argentine

Dear artist Zul Albani, You are an artist chosen to be part of the book “La Estética y el Arte contemporáneo II” (Aesthetics and Contemporary Art II). I attach the conditions and participation file. www.atcultura.com.ar with the participation of Regina José Galindo, (winner of the León de Oro Bienal de Venecia, 2005), Caio Fonseca (Bill Gates ´ collection) etc; “Arte Contemporáneo Imágen y crítica“ (Contemporary Art Image and Review), with the collaboration of the artists Carole Feuerman, Rosella Matamoros, and others.Look forward to hearing from you.Best regards,
Dipl. Ricardo Lescano GrossoATcultura - DirectorLic. María Miriam Farías Iriarte. ATcultura. Secretary.www.atcultura.com.ar

4. Mach 2008 - Agora Gallery, New York, USA

“I am pleased to inform you that your work qualifies for Agora Gallery representation.  Your work: Resolute in mood and milieu, I feel that your paintings will resonate well in New York and with our international audience.”Best regards, Angela Di Bello, Director Agora Gallery, New York, USA.

5. January 2007 - Saatchi Gallery, London, UK

“I am thrilled that the standard is so high from such a variety of artists and hope it will be interesting to gallery owners, exhibition curators and collectors to see such driverse work, well done and all the best.” Best regards, Charles Saatchi, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK.