Tags: Paintings, Visual arts
By Pau Padre
KABASALAN, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY – His name may not ring a bell to the ordinary Filipino but art connoisseurs here and abroad would agree Saudi Ahmad is Mindanao’s greatest living artist.
The works of Ahmad, whose full name is Ibn Saud Salipyasin Ahmad (also sometimes referred to as Saud Ahmed), has been exhibited several times at the National Museum and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) as well as art galleries abroad.
Former First Lady Ming Ramos and Tingting Cojungco are known patrons of his paintings. It’s been reported that his painting are sold even before they are finished. Since three years ago, the local government of Zamboanga has been pushing that Ahmad be conferred the National Artist Award.
So what’s so special about Ahmad’s art? Broadcast journalist Adrian Ayalin wrote a feature on Ahmad in between covering the kidnapping of Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi in 2007. He describes the meticulous way he produces his watercolor paintings, which usually takes months even years to finish.
“To create his watercolor masterpieces, Saud first paints on white paper two layers of different colors using a fine brush. Then using the same brush dipped and rinsed in water, he gently erases the second layer of paint to create lines which reveal the first layer. This process results to alternating colors of thin lines and subdued shades of colors.”
Writer Icelle Borja describes Ahmad’s art as “modernist”, or a style and subject that is directed at pre-colonial past. She says this distinguishes Ahmad from his contemporaries whose style is influenced by Western themes and techniques.
Unlike more celebrated artists, Ahmad did not have formal painting in training and says he was inspired as as kid when he would draw images of from what he saw in American movies that were shown in the 1950s, when the Philippines was under colonial rule.
His painting depict Muslim culture; women figure prominently in his art, wearing traditional clothing and projecting an aura of mystery – he says he is particular about painting women’s eyes. I think of it as his own perspective of the Mona Lisa.
The blog Next Stop Wonderland posted a visit to Ahmad’s home in Kabasalan, about three hours by land from Zamboanga City. Contrary to perceptions of being an elusive artist, Ahmad welcomes visitors to his home – which he designed himself and is a well-known landmark in his hometown – and gladly talks about his art.
Blogger Joseph Joy also posted photos of his visit to Ahmad’s turugan (literally meaning “house”) and says he was fortunate there were a few items left in the painter’s gallery because his works are always sold out. Click on his Multiply page to see more photos of Ahmad’s house.
Photos taken from Next Stop Wonderland and Joseph Joy’s Multiply page
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