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.
Inspired by his brothers, M Asri will run 1500 meters and 5000 meters for his school in the coming annual school athletic meets 2012. I salute this guy very much; apart for his courage and big heart, he is very independently hard-working in any aspect that he is in. His persistency is another thing I really admire out of him. Well..keep it up dude! And.., most of all do it for Allah swt. He has won champion of his category for 22 km run organized by Rotary Club, Alexandria chapter when he was the British School of Alexandria, Egypt. That was the time I started realising his potential.
This photo was taken when we spent one fine morning at the National Zoo last November 2011. They, Afiqah and Nureen Zailan claimed they are best cousin forever….well, great!! This is what I am looking for – the true spirit of camaraderie even though they are thousands kilometers away split by the South China Sea. What is more important between any relationships is the attitude of tolerance, compromise and understanding. And, the ultimate important in the cousinship that you had built must be for Allah swt. One thing that I really request from both of you, be a good girls who always obey the rules set by Allah swt as demonstrated by His Messenger, Saidina Muhammad saw (peace be upon him).
