Othman Borhan in private collection (Part 1)

Othman Borhan, Acrylic, Untitled, 120 x150 cm, 1989. Private collection, Kuching, Sarawak.

After I finished blogging on " Tribute to Othman Borhan" in December 2007, I decided to hunt around in Kuching for a few more of his works. Guess what have I found?

Othman Borhan, Water colour, Untitled, 60x80 cm, 1989, Private collection, Kuching, Sarawak.

The above paintings are kept by the immediate family of Othman Borhan, presently residing at Kampung Gersik, Kuching, Sarawak.

Othman Borhan in private collection (Part 2)

Untitled, 47.5 x 35.5 cm, acrylic on thick watercolour paper, family collection

Photo taken on 4 June,1986.

On 3rd February, 2017 I had a rare opportunity to stumble upon three original artworks by Othman Borhan which are kept by his brother in Kuching.  These are late finds in my catalogue of paintings done by Othman Borhan.  Firstly, there is an untitled painting done in acrylic shown above.  Two other small paintings shown below were done using acrylic on thick board paper and also untitled. These two paintings were probably done in a pair and executed in 1991 as faintly indicated at the right hand corner of one of the small pieces.

Untitled, Acrylic on board paper, 18 x 22 cm, 1991

Untitled, Acrylic on board paper, 18 x 22 cm, 1991

Othman Borhan in private collection (Part 3)

Othman Borhan, Untitled, Watercolour on paper, 28x32 cm, 1991, Private collection

A recent discovery of three paintings done by Othman Borhan has raised many interest on his works.  The above watercolour painting is yet another addition to his paintings in private collection.  For more stories about his artworks please follow this link ....>>>>Othman Borhan was a contemporary of mine in the late 60's when we took art classes from a master artist, Mr. Voong at Tanjong Lobang College, Miri. I have great respect for him as an artist and did an extensive research and search for his catalogue of paintings. Yesterday I stumbled upon three more originals done by him kept in private collection. Follow these links to discover Othman's artistry....>>>http://beingmy3.blogspot.my/search/label/Othman%20Borhan
and more tribute to him here...>>>>http://beingmy2.blogspot.my/search/label/Othman%20Borhan

Four Abstracts a Day

Spiralling circles, 115 x 48 cm, paint on board, 17.9.95. Artist collection.

Sea, Rain and Storm, 50 x 152cm, paint on board,17.9.95. Artist collection.

Swaying leaves, 142x59 cm, paint on board,17.9.95. Artist collection.

Movement study, 100x 116 cm, paint on board,17.9.9. Artist collection.

It is a record achievement of sorts for me on 17 th day of September, 1995.

I was living with my small family at our Kampung Baru house in Bintulu . For most of the year, I was busy with my contracting business. As often happens, there was always surplus paint and board neatly kept in my house store. Waking up early that morning I started to immerse my self with spontaneous painting at an open space behind our house. Without feeling any signs of exhaustion I had by the day's end completed four abstract pieces on relatively big size boards.

What made me produce four paintings in a row is beyond my comprehension.

But that's abstract art. That day's magic must have been instigated over many years of emotional absorption and intellectual yearning to produce abstract masterpieces ever since I participated in an international art workshop in November 1989 at Kuching.

Since then I tried to come to terms with the notion of doing abstract art that speaks of me. At last on that auspicious day the moment of truth came. I was able to produce my own abstract art. The above paintings shall always speak volumes of my inherent love for the abstract. I shall forever look forward for the resurgence of such creative encounters in future.

From these four pieces of work, I learnt of speed, sense of movement and expressionism in one critical moment of my life. I was able to create them with minimal tones and shades of colours for that were the only ones available within reach that day. But all told, it was a day of personal discovery and yearning.

Landscaping Times in Bintulu ( Part I )

My Natural Attachment

In my mature years period, I took on an exceedingly huge interest in landscaping.

I was involved in a number of 'grand' landscaping projects for the 'booming town' of Kidurong ( acting as satellite town) and the existing Bintulu town that has outgrown its former boundaries and metamorphosing into a modern township in Sarawak. Those formative years in landscaping started in early 1980's right till the late 1990's.



I will attempt to blog on my experiences during those landscaping times throughout this year. However, suffice to start here in terms of paintings, my deep interest in nature and my natural inclination to gardening. Way back in 1974, I painted a scenery of the Tanjong Batu beach when I visited it as a young man. To the folks in Bintulu , it was the only beach closest to town to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of seasides, stretches of beaches and unpolluted natural elements like water, clouds, winds and breezes of the 70's. Strangely enough there was no building or park furniture on the beach then.



Tanjong Batu Beach , water colour, 50x40cm ( approx.) circa 1974

Kuching Reservoir Park, mixed media, imperial size, 1982

Later, when I was transferred to Kuching, I painted the Kuching Reservoir park. What attracted me was the interplay of light and colours as they engulf the park. Earlier in 1974 while I was in Kuala Lumpur, I took great comfort in remembering the naturalness of Bintulu or even any other countryside villages and small towns in Sarawak. To this end I penned a poem called 'Country Peace'. It reads:

Country Peace

The rustling leaves,

brings that wondrous feeling

that town people miss

called country peace.

There is low silence

deep in its shallowness

forever going,

forever reaching.

I lie in the open air

letting the breeze blow

my ruffled hair

my face too.

Rubbing it softly

but gently through.

Natural quietness

is a comforting cushion

that balms the mind

from earthly confusion.

I love nature

and its rustling leaves

the quietness of mind

whatever good nature gives.

I thank nature, for it leaves

my thoughtful mind

well at peace

rich at ease.

Doors of Life, mixed media, imperial size, 8.8.81

Again in 1981, I did a mixed media painting based on a poem of mine called ' The Doors of Life'. The message of the poem was that when we let nature gets into our lives, it will open the door of existence for us, bringing in the 'light' to fire our lives. But alas, all this is possible only if we open our mind and heart, that is to be 'positive in our thinking'. In short saying 'Yes' to Life.

Therefore with much emotional attachment, love of nature and a positive attitude, I began to take up the responsibility of creating Bintulu into a Garden City. That started in the early 80's.

Doors of Life

The doors of life are always open

But it is to open our mind and heart

To be self-conscious of Life and Existence

that remains a task.

1.10.74

Reference: Pameran Lukisan dan Puisi MOOD ( 1981 )

10 Years in Waiting

Water colour on paper, Solitude, Imperial Size, 8.4.81.

Look again at the fine print of the black and white sketch I did of a woman by the window...date shown is 21 August, 1971.

Then, check out the date of the painting " Solitude" done in water colour on paper ( Imperial size ). The dated written is 8.4.81.

Yes, Indeed! It is a record for me to finally come up with a painting ten years after I conceived of it in a sketch.

For this reason , this painting will forever hold a special place in my creative endeavour. From it we can appreciate what it means to be creative. Creativity can mean spontaneity or it can take years in waiting for the right moment for release and finally producing the art piece.

( Note: Both the sketch and the painting are still in my possession. The sketch is from my " Young Man as Artist " period and the painting from " The Mature Years" period.

Flagging Down 2007

In general I have covered all the periods of my creative encounters in this few months of blogging - discovered.
Before I flag down 2007,I think it is best to plan for 2008 blogging. Among others I plan to blog on the following:
a) Write more about my current creative encounters, i.e. under forward- naturally category especially in the landscaping arena.
b) To write more on dramatic, literary( poetry and prose) , exhibition and display art, and singing ( music) encounters.

A Tribute to Othman Borhan ( Part VI )

Othman's Art of the Nineties
The exposure Othman had during the International art Exhibition and Workshop, held at Kuching from 8-17 September 1989 was crucial in developing him as a renowned and credible Kuching Malay watercolourist of the early 1990's.

In the early 90's he took a notable interest in studying nature close up and personal. His treatment to landscapes, natural objects and water retains a transparency and dreamlike quality uniquely in semi- abstract expressionistic stlye.

One style that he adopted from the International Art Exhibition experience was that of Yusuf Ghani's colourful, free flowing lines and strokes and figures in perpetual motion or movement. Yusuf Ghani was one of the teachers during the International Art Exhibition and Workshop.

This move to semi-abstract and abstract expressionism was slowly making a mark on the Kuching art scene and his works were quickly taken up by corporate sponsors and individuals.

Here we see Othman at his best. There seemed to be much promise for him in the world of art to go international if only not to his early demise.

Othman Borhan, Water colour and Ink, Bako Tide Pools , 78 cm x 78 cm , 1991.

Othman Borhan, Water colour, Exodus Series No.4/89. circa '89.

Othman Borhan, Water colour and Ink , Matang Shallows, 78cm x 118 cm, 1991.

Othman Borhan, Water colour, Renderings of Tropical Terrain in Green, 30 cm x 50 cm, 1990.

Othman Borhan as Secretary and Coordinator of International Art Exhibition and Workshop held at Kuching , 8 - 17 September , 1989.

A Tribute to Othman Borhan ( Part V )

Abstract Water colours of the 90's


Othman Borhan, Water colour , Bluescape with Red Streaks, 25x30 cm, 1990.
Unframed and in Private collection.

Othman Borhan, Water colour, Rendering of Tropical Terrain in Green, 35x 50 cm, 1990
Unframed and in Private collection

A Tribute to Othman Borhan (Part IV)

Bold Experiments in Water colour of the late 80's
Throughout the eighties, Othman Borhan's water colours were very 'scholarly', true to form and style of 'western colour' techniques.
However, towards the late 1980's he began to undertake more bold strokes, wide washes and sublime colour schemes to 'plein air' water colour painting.
These studies and experiments were to become later a harbinger to highly successful semi-abstract water colour and acrylic paintings of the early 1990's.

Othman Borhan, water colour, Seaside with two boats. 30x40 cm, circa Sept.'89
Unframed and in Private collection.

Othman Borhan, water colour. Damai Resort from South China Sea. 30x40 cm, 11 Sept '89.

Unframed and in Private collection.

Othman Borhan, water colour, Landscape. 30x40 cm, 2 Sept'89.

Unframed and in Private collection.

A Gallery for MY Paintings

Exhibition Spaces
It started in 1995 at my office in Tanjong Batu, Bintulu. There I built a corner on raised platform to put on display my framed paintings. Then when my office moved to a second floor unit at Parkcity Commerce Square Phase I in 1999, I exhibited them at my office walls and at a cyber cafe below my office.

Note: Abstract paintings done in 1995 displayed in my office at Parkcity Commerce Square, Bintulu,Sarawak. Malaysia.

Virtual Gallery
In 2007, with compliments from blogger, I was able to build a virtual gallery for my paintings at cyber space, accessed at http://mygalerimood.blogspot.com/ . Thus this year (2007) represents an important chapter in exhibiting my paintings for a wider and more international audience, thanks to the Internet and especially to blogger making available blog sites freely for anyone in the whole wide world.

A Tribute to Othman Borhan (Part 111)

Well known Malay water colourist
In the Kuching art scene of the late 80's, Othman Borhan stood out as probably the only well known Kuching born Malay artist who made it good at the water colour medium.

Artists in Sarawak in the 80's were conveniently grouped under the Sarawak Artist Society of which almost all its participating members were artists in and around Kuching town. The society which was comprised of artists from various ethnic origins, held regular exhibitions through out the 80's. But these exhibitions were largely composed of works of the 'heavy weight' artists of the art fraternity in Kuching then of which the Chinese group was more active and predominating.

Towards the later part of the 80's , Othman's watercolours showed intense subjectivity especially in capturing the 'ambience' or 'mood of the place'. He achieved this by employing ' atmospheric effects' . His technique and style showed a departure from the majority of Chinese water colourists who tended to optimise the use of the Chinese brush. His use of 'western' brushes found good effect in his paintings , thus providing a 'modernising' influence on water clour technique or style at that period.

In terms of colour, there is lesser use of black colour ( as in Chinese ink black) in highlighting figures or outlines or economical strokes so typical of Chinese water colour painting. His was a very western use of colour and feel.




Othman Borhan, water colour on paper, 34x50 cm, circa 1988, Rural Sarawak
( Unframed and in Private collection)

Othman Borhan, water colour on paper,26x35 cm, 1988, Kampung.( Unframed and in Private collection)

Othman Borhan, water colour on paper, 40x35 cm, 1987, Farm House.

( Unframed and in Private collection )

A Tribute to Othman Borhan (Part 11)

Escape to Rural Sarawak
Through out the early '80's till mid 80's , Othman worked as a car salesman and this job required him to travel frequently outside Kuching. His travels outside Kuching must have been instrumental in giving inspirations to depict the beauty of Sarawak country side.

Executed mainly in watercolours, he did a series of paintings on rural landscapes. Working under pressure and competition as a car salesman in fast paced Kuching,and raising a family, I find that in his paintings he sought solace and escape in the serenity and quietness of rural Sarawak.
Othman Borhan, Water colour on paper, 27 cm x 32 cm, 1986, Sarawak Street Scene.
(Unframed and in private collection)


Othman Borhan, Watercolour on paper, 27 cm x 32 cm,1986, Lonesome Red,( Unframed and in private collection)

Closing the Year 2007

Artistically what have I achieved? Only one word that best describes it ...blogging. The later part of this year I discovered blogging and many more hours( frustrating as well) of creativity in the blogging arena. I worked hard to keep stock of all my paintings , some still in my possession ( artist collection ) while others are in photographic images( sold/lost/damaged) and to put them up in cyber space. This virtual gallery is now called...GALERI MOOD ....accessed at mygalerimood.blogspot.com/ . Stories to the paintings and drawings are available at another blog site called ...beingmy2.blogspot.com/ and beingmy.blogspot.com/ ( the latter being the original version before I got jammed, blocked or unable to access it, thus the birth of beingmy2)



In the long term BEING MY - will be the basis of a proposed book which is in the works for 2008. This book will be about my encounters with creativity not solely confined to painting and drawing. In the proposed book, my creative handiwork in landscaping, exhibition & display art, the performing arts especially stage drama and children's theatre , poetry and singing will all be accounted for.



Blogging is the main method for me to get the book down to writing.

A Tribute to Othman Borhan (Part 1 )

An Introduction
This tribute will be done in a series starting with this posting . Othman Borhan was a contemporary of mine while studying art at Tanjong Lobang College, Miri in the late 1960's.

In 1969 he was awarded the Best Art Student while in upper six form. In the same year , he won first place in an Art competition held at Gymkana Club Miri.

His reputation as an artist grew when he returned to Kuching after finishing his sixth form, especially towards the late 1980's, while at the same time kept busy and on the move by his business career. His artistic standing in Kuching climaxed in the early 1990's'.
It is fitting that his image was shown in a news report about an exhibition of top Sarawak artists in 1991. This exhibition was made possible due to the patronage of one of Bintulu's richest company, the MLNG Sdn Bhd. In the exhibition his 'rockscapes series'and 'dreamscape series' were a clear indication of the impact of the exposure to various international artists in a week long art exhibition and workshop held at Kuching Civic Centre in 1989. His clear direction and newfound fusion in transparency and semi abstract painting was surely an indication of better things to come.



A picture of his "Rockscape Series" entitled 'the matang shallows', ink and water colour, 118 cm x 78 cm , done in 1991. This painting was exhibited at the ' Beauty of Sarawak ' painting exhibition sponsored by MLNG Sdn Bhd, 18-22May. 1991 at Dewan Tun Abdul Razak, Kuching.

A New Straits Times cutting of the 'Beauty of Sarawak' event, highlighting four of the exhibitors, Othman included.

Othman Borhan, in front of his award winning batik painting held during an Art Competition show in Miri during his younger days at Tanjong Lobang College.

Front cover of Art Exhibition booklet, of eight top Sarawakian artists held at Dewan Tun Abdul Razak, Kuching, Sarawak. Sponsored by MLNG Sdn Bhd.

In 1989, Othman was instrumental in organising an international level Art Exhibition and Workshop , organised jointly by SEDC, Sarawak Artist Society and Art Affairs Singapore at Kuching Civic Centre. This workshop exposed him to new trends in art, especially abstract and semi- abstract and these impacted him in his later works, done in early 1990's.

An example of a very early work. Done in water colour, 35 cm x 30 cm , unframed and entitled " Riverine Kampung Serenity",1986.( Private collection)

The Mature Years: AYU

AYU

dalam kejemuan membalik-balik lembaran hidup
terasa jejari lembutmu menyentuh tanganku
lalu kita bersua berbisik misteri
hingga tersebut rindu di hati

kau bebayang asyik kupandang
dan setiap kali ilham menggoda
aka kutempuhi keujudanmu
jua kubilang kehadiranmu
kerana tahu pertemuan ini akan berlalu
meskipun hajat kuat mahu mencapaimu
bukan mengecapi bebayang fana
sekejap datang terus berterbangan
tetapi keseluruhanmu yang memiliki kesemuanya

selagi ku belum mendekati makna senyummu itu
akan kukejar setiap waktu
rela kutunggu ketibaanmu
pun sepintas jari saat kau mendetik datang
pada hidup ini ia sepanjang musim kebahagian.

22.7.81



Artist collection: AYU, 94 cm x 70 cm, water colour, 10.10.74

The Mature Years: Chrysanthemum

Artist Collection: Chrysanthemum , 87 cm x 67 cm, mixed media, 9.12.75

The Mature Years: Spray of Flowers

Artist Collection: Spray of Flowers , 95 cm x 71 cm , water colour, 18.4.76

The Mature Years: Croton

Artist collection: Croton , 95 cm x 71 cm , mixed media, 24.4.76

The Mature Years: Solitude

Artist collection: Solitude, 94 cm x 70 cm, water colour, 8.4.81