Khalil Ibrahim : Fisherman series 1997

In the Malaysian art scene, Khalil Ibrahim is unquestionably a renowned figure. He is by far one of the few Malaysians who earned a state scholarship to study art at the esteemed Central St Martins School of Art and Design in London. He was born in 1934 in Kubang Krian, Kelantan. Khalil has exhibited a number of solo and group exhibitions in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Switzerland during the course of his lengthy career, which has lasted more than 50 years. His exquisite drawing, watercolour, and acrylic skills are displayed in styles that range from the nearly realistic to the quite abstract.

Due to his affinity for the human form, Khalil has produced classic photos of men and women in East Coast Malay fishing communities against stark blue and green backgrounds and watercolour village landscapes.