28/09/2025
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The scenes are everyday sights that anyone might see anywhere: on the road; in a coffee shop; at the wet market; in a thrift or bundle shop; at the barbershop; street vendors; mobile phone shops; clinics; people driving cars and motorcycles; factory buses; illegal street racers and young cyclists; the darker corners of a remote hotel; street musicians; and pedestrians. Whether day or night, these scenes reflect the struggles of individuals and communities in sustaining daily life.
Although they look ordinary, Kide is actually focusing on three main places from his journey as a painter over the past ten years: Kuala Pilah, Seremban, and Kuala Lumpur. These towns and cities witnessed his artistic path and struggles. He recalls carrying his paintings by bus from Kuala Pilah and Seremban to Kuala Lumpur, the big city that “promised” success and reward for an artist.
In these three places, human activities happen every day, all the time: day and night. In his paintings, nighttime is often shown in shades of blue, as in Melinteh, Ghisau Den, Ponek Balik Koja, and Tompek Bebughak. Daytime is shown in pink or reddish tones, as in Pekan Omeh, Tu Deh!, Hughihagho Pasar Pagi, and Sumo Bondo Tak Kono.
Every corner of his paintings is filled with movement and activity, colors, buildings, objects, plants, or vehicles. All of these show Kide’s deep focus, patience, and detail in his artmaking, while also reflecting the real-life world of these towns and cities he observes. - (translated) Dr. Muliyadi Mahmood
