3M Studio Showcase: Untitled by Afiq Zainal
Artist Statement by Afiq Zainal
From a psychological perspective, emotion is the word used to describe the complex state of instinctive or intuitive feeling. Our surroundings, circumstances, and reasoning can create emotional waves that have influence over our thought and behaviour. I visualize these waves of emotions as an infinite form; it is a continuous cycle of circumstances, which translates to feelings, and then actions.
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In this series, I intend to explore the emotions surrounding ego. While healthy doses of ego have the potential to yield positive results such as developing resilience and confidence, like everything in life, there is a need for balance. Unhealthy ego can create toxic thinking patterns, poor decisions, and arrogance among other negative qualities. As one of the most common, and potentially damaging traits found within mankind, I explore the destructive results of unhealthy ego when we fail to manage the emotions behind it, and balance them with humility.
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Comprising of a number of print works and drawings, Untitled illustrates a solid form meant to represent external strength, with manipulation towards its form to express emotional instability stemmed from ego. In some works, the subject matter can be found being slowly crushed by the pressure of a rope tied tightly around it. While my body of work aims to shine light towards the scars and the long-term, negative effects of ego despite our perceived strength, it is merely an observation and study of the consequences rather than a solution.
Featured Artworks
Untitled No. 1
Etching and Aquatint on 200gsm Watercolor Paper
59.5 x 42 cm
2021
Edition 1 of 10
RM600 / Available
Untitled No. 2
Etching and Aquatint on 200gsm Watercolor Paper
59.5 x 42 cm
2021
Edition 1 of 10
RM600 / Available
Untitled No. 3
Etching and Aquatint on 200gsm Watercolor Paper
59.5 x 42 cm
2021
Edition 1 of 10
RM600 / Reserved
Untitled No. 8
Graphite on 200gsm Drawing paper
38 x 28cm
2021
RM400 / Available
Untitled No. 11
Graphite on 200gsm Drawing paper
38 x 28cm
2021
RM400 / Available
Untitled No. 13
Graphite on 200gsm Drawing paper
28 x 38cm
2021
RM400 / Available
Untitled No. 16
Colour Pencil on 200gsm Drawing Paper
38 x 28 cm
2021
RM500 / Reserved
Untitled No. 17
Colour Pencil on 200gsm Drawing Paper
38 x 28 cm
2021
RM500 / Available
Untitled No. 18
Colour Pencil and Graphite on 200gsm Drawing paper
38 x 28cm
2021
RM580 / Available
About the Artist
Based in Klang, artist Afiq Zainal, was born in 1996. A full-time artist, he received his formal art education at UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor. His creative practice concerns how our environment and circumstances have the ability to influence and shape human emotions and character through his artistic practice. Not limited to a specific medium, he explores with a variety of printmaking techniques, graphite, colour pencils and more. Choosing to work on a smaller scale than most, he believes that the size of his work contributes to its individual impact and spirit.
Over the last few years, Afiq has actively participated in several group exhibitions. Several to note, include Sacred Garden at ARTO Movement (2020), Cetak Cerita at AP Art Gallery (2020), Kuala Lumpur International Miniprint (2019), Ipoh International Art Festival in Ipoh, Perak (2019), among others.
Visit the other works by other artist featured in the 3M Studio Showcase: