AFI Saiful Anuar is a teen who speaks his mind through art, putting all on canvas, paper and even plywood. The 19-year-old from Miri is self-taught and whose unique talent was first spotted by his Arts teacher in Egypt four years ago. Saiful’s father works in the oil and gas industry and was posted to Egypt where the teen enrolled at the British School of Alexandria.
Malaysian talent: Saiful posing with Breaking Barrier, his most prized work which he submitted for his International General Certificate of Secondary Education. Extremely passionate about his art, he is constantly experimenting and to date, he has done 22 pieces of artwork and some were displayed at the Russian Embassy in Egypt. While waiting for his tertiary education to start, he can be found at the Young Artist Studio set up by Maryan Vaz at Bandar Baru Permyjaya, helping teach art to kids ranging from four to 15 years old.
Vaz described Saiful as a budding satirical artist and his work is unique.
“Every piece created is different in technique and has a thought-provoking message,” said Vaz.
“He is a profound thinker and upholds high moral values. These elements are translated in his works.”
StarMetro caught up with Saiful to find out what makes him tick.
Question: At what age did you start drawing?
Answer: I think around the age of four drawing on the walls of our house. Of course, my parents were not too pleased with that. Later I started sketching on paper. My early works were confined to copying characters from comic books.
Q: How did your parents react to your interest?
A: My parents just let me be. They did not discourage me. They only realised that I was quite good at painting when my arts teacher Mr John Yeat at the British School of Alexandria singled me out as a young promising talent.
Q: When did you realise you were passionate about art?
A: During my primary school days. I must draw or sketch everyday. If I failed to do so, I feel as if my day was not complete. This has continued until today.
Q: Who motivates you the most?
A: Mr Yeat, my father and myself, i guess. I have this strong urge to paint. If I do not do it, I feel empty inside.
Q: Are you influenced by any local or international artist?
A: No anyone in particular. Perhaps, there is one person Francis Bacon. I love the way he translated thoughts into words and art. He was a satirist artist as well. That is what I am too.
Q: What is your favourite medium in expressing your thoughts?
A: I love to experiment with all kinds of medium. I blend recycled objects into my drawing. I love to use acrylic, Indian ink on canvas, wood and paper. Basically, mixed media.
Q: How do you get inspired?
A: By watching people around me. Reading newspapers, electronic media and at times my own emotional experience.
Q: How do you see yourself in the future?
A: A famous artist in Malaysia. My work would be able to touch people’s emotion and change them into a nice person so that they would advocate peace, not war.
Q: What are your thoughts on our current world situation?
A: People are too focused on themselves. Too many wars, too many innocent people dying. Too much prejudice, pretension and people’s judgement are many times tainted with material greed and prejudices. My war series expressed how I feel about war ... from machine guns to bodybags. Too much of the media had created sloth, unhealthy lifestyle and corrupt minds.
Q: What is your opinion on art and children creativity?
A: Parents should encourage their children to take up art. Art on its own allow children to explore their thoughts on paper. Art encourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Creativity in a child, if nurtured, can turn them into a leader with a great mind and a big heart.
Q: What is your hope for the Sarawakian arts scene?
A: I hope Sarawak will be where world artists come and exchange ideas. We will be unique in our art because we have vast resources from nature, people and happenings to inspire us.
Q: I understand that you will be leaving for your tertiary education soon. Where will that be and what course are you taking?
A: I am going to the Kuala Lumpur Infrastructure University College and I will be studying for my Bachelor of Science (Architectural Studies).
Q: Last but not least, have you sold any of your 22 pieces of artwork?
A: I am not selling any. It’s my private collection. There are offers. Maybe, artworks that followed I will sell but not these 22 especially Breaking Barrier, War Series and Judgment Day. They are special.
Masjid Saleh Al Tala'i was the first prominent monument outside the old Fatimid city adjacent to its famous gate - Bab al Zuwayla - the beginning of the second phase of our adventure within the old Cairo.
The Masjid is no more in operation, I mean is well maintained but not being used for its original purpose - the daily 5 times compulsory congregation.
After spending about 15 minutes at the Masjid Saleh al Tala'i, I went to the popular souk al Kheyamiya or literally mean the tent market, which is just next to the Masjid. Here you will find tent manufacturing vendors and some are the dsitributors of the tent materials who are very friendly. Hence, its name - Souk el Kheyamiya.
Located right in front of Bab al Zuwayla, Zawiyat Sabil Faraq Barqouq now serves as the administration building.
One of the most popular major landmarks of the Old Cairo the Zuwayla Gate or Bab al Zuwayla. The gate lead us to the old royal nostalcic city of the historic Fatimid dynasty through Al Motaz Ldin Allah street. It was also known as Bawwabat Al Mitwalli during the Ottoman period. It was built by
The gate or Bab is the southern entrance of the second wall of the old city and it was built in 1092 by Badr Al Jamali. Despite almost 1000 years of existence, the gate is still strong but no more serving its purpose as a watch tower to scout enemies, and also as the symbol of power to the then ruler. Now, it is one of the popular tourist spots and one have to pay around 5 EGP to climb the 'twin towers'.
To the west of the Bab Zuwayla had been a dungeon, which once imprisoned sheik Amir Al Mu'ayyad. While still a prisoner, he had vowed that if he were ever released, he would someday destroy the dungeon, and build a masjid in its place. He was indeed eventually released, and rose to become Sultan of all Egypt. True to his word, he razed the old dungeon, and built a new masjid on the location in 1415, the Masjid of Sultan al-Muayyad. It is now one of great prominent monuments in the old Cairo. 
This is one of the Sabil Kuttabs well preserved and sponsored by one of the American NGOs.
The great thing about the Masjid is the old structure, design and infact some of its features are still well maintained and preserved. The location of the Masjid is a little bit isolated from the main road camouflage by the street vendors and clothing shops. If you are from Sabil Khutab Mohamed Ali Pasha (from Bab Zuwayla) , about 15 meters, look to your right, you will find a big old door serve as the Masjid's gate, I guess.
One of the ceilings made of wood plank. The wood bracing is decorated with Islamic design. The Masjid was still under refurbishment and restoration process to preserve its existence. The ambience and its classic structure make you feel as if you are somewhere else in the 15th century.
Popularly known as Al-Ghuriya and famous for varieties of fabrics and clothing materials, it marked the end of the second phase of our exploration. It is located at the end of the narrow but colorful Al Motaz Ldin Allah street, adjacent to the al Azhar Bridge and just about 50 meters from the great al Azhar Masjid and 70 meters from Al Hussen Masjid.
Its existence has eased millions of the Local and Visitors crossing the Azhar Street - one of the busiest streets in Cairo. It serves as a linkage between the Khan Khalili or al Hussein Square and al Gouriya.
In the above photo, one could see the entrance of the Hussein Square (on the left) and Al Azhar Masjid is just to the right adjacent to the square. The three lanes double carriage way of Al Azhar street is always busy - 24 hours 7 days a week!
While browsing through my image folder, I found this picture, I mean this nostalgic photo of Muhammad Aiman, Afiqah, Muhammad Afiq and Aqil. It was taken when Shiqin, Ashaari and the kids visited us at our apartment after we had our last Iftar in Egypt. We just met and get to know them less than two months, but the bond that the kids or we had created was unbreakable. We shared and learnt quite a number of significant chapters during the moment that we will definitely cherish until the end of time. InsyaAllah - God Willing, we will meet again.
The photo was taken by the kids during their last 'field' work or rather last nite in Alexandria, Egypt at around 02:30 am in the odd morning hours. Crazy though, but Alexandria is very close to our heart, definitely the kids. It was really their valuable experience in my aspects. Experiences actually us more richer (not the money so to speak!), but it comes only once. The moment that we had yesterday, has gone; we do not know what is tomorrow, hence appreciate every second that we have now.
18th November 2010 marked another milestone of their journey - the campus life. We, the seven of us have never been far apart. Well, there is always a first time in everything. This is the third chapter of our life, which we called the brothers' sacrifices.
Thank you very much to Dr Haizam and Kak Gayah - Amiras' Parents for the wonderful dinner at the Zest, JW Marriot, Miri. Hanif - Amira's Fiancee-to-be and his friend Hanif aka YB were with us during their Sarawak tour or actually 'merisik' laterally means investigating. Dr Haizam is one of the prominent Malay entrepeneurs based in Miri who is well established since early 80s. What I like most about him and well known by others is, his significant contribution to the community was remarkably amazing, yet he always keeping himself low profile.
In the photo from left: Afi, Nana, Kak Gayah, Afiqah, Amira, Dr Haizam, me, M Asri, Hanif, YB and M Aiman (on his knee). The photo was taken by M Afiq.
The young artist at work. While waiting for their tertiary education, both Afi and M Afiq demonstrated their mural painting skill as a contribution to their Aunties Hjh Rahmah and Hjh Hamiahs' Bakery n Cafe - d Twinzbites at Permy Jaya. The theme of the mural is about the Twinzbites products and its implication to the development of the nation, specifically the Mirians. They spent about one week to complete the whole piece.
Hadrat Abu Darda Radhiyallahu anhu (ra) is a distinguished Companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him). He says;”The thing I fear most is the question that will be put to me on the Day of Judgment in the presence of all the people: Did you act upon the knowledge that you possessed?” A certain Companion asked him; “Who is the worst of all creatures?” He answered; “Don’t ask me a question about good things. The worst of all creatures are the wicked scholars, (i.e. those who do not practice what they say).” Says the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw (peace be upon him) in another hadith; “Knowledge is of two kinds: one, which remains on the tongue only and does not affect the heart and do is in fact an accusation from Allah swt: and the other which penetrates into the heart and revives the spirit; That is indeed useful.” What we mean to say is that a Muslim should not acquire only that knowledge which concerns the formal observances, but also the spiritual knowledge which would purify his heart and enlighten his brain; otherwise it would be a cause for questioning on the Day of Judgment as to how far it was acted upon. Similar warnings are contained in several other hadith.
