ABDUL GHANI AHMAD
THE WORLD OF FOREST, 2010
森林的世界
Signed and dated ‘Abd Ghani Ahmad 2010’ (lower right)
Oil on canvas, framed
85.5 cm x 109 cm
THE WORLD OF FOREST, 2010 森林的世界 | ABDUL GHANI AHMAD
Born in 1945 in Pulau Sayak, Kedah, Abdul Ghani Ahmad is a self-taught artist with a background as a retired military man. Raised in a large family, he supported himself through various labor jobs before enlisting in the Royal Malay Armed Regiment in 1965. His dedication and skills led him to join the elite Commando unit in 1970. Despite his military commitments, Abdul Ghani consistently nurtured his passion for art, capturing the natural world and rural life in his drawings and sketches.
In 1986, after two decades of service, Abdul Ghani left the army to pursue his artistic career full-time. He began from the humble beginnings of painting watercolour on the streets of Kuala Lumpur before establishing himself at Pasar Seni (Central Market). Since 1978, he has actively participated in numerous exhibitions, both locally and internationally, showcasing his work in countries such as Singapore, Thailand, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Belgium, Indonesia, Sweden, Japan, Korea, India, and Jordan.
His first solo exhibition was held in 1991 at the Creative Art Centre, National Gallery of Malaysia. He went on to hold further solo exhibitions at notable venues, including the Banker’s Club, Amoda Building, Kuala Lumpur (1992); Langkawi Island, Kedah (1995); Mandarin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (2001); and Balai Berita, New Straits Times Press (NSTP), Kuala Lumpur (2002).
Notable group exhibitions include the Asian Watercolours '90: Hong Kong - 5th Exhibition of the Asian Watercolour Confederation, Hong Kong City Hall (1990); “Passerelles vers les couleurs” at Alliance française, Mauritius (2004); Art Expo Malaysia at MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur (2009); International Diplomat Art Exhibition at Sheraton Fiji Resort, Denarau, Fiji (2009); “Art Bazaar” at Bank Negara Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (2016); “Of Moments and Memories – A Malaysian Watercolour Experience” at Maybank Art Gallery (2019); and the “Southeast Asia Watercolor Exhibition” at the National Art Gallery Langkawi (2020). He is the member of Asian Watercolour Confederation, Malaysian Watercolour Society, Persatuan Pelukis Malaysia, Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia, and Angkatan Pelukis Kedah.
