Mat Ali Mat Som

Pasak Bumi Malaysian martial art calligraphy paint on canvas, in red multicolour

2018

Kuala Lumpur by birth, Mat Ali Mat Som, was born in 1975. He studied Fine Art, University Institute Technology Mara (UiTM) in 1997. It is, for want of a better term, a family affair, a passion Mat Ali shares with his wife and three children. Now primarily based in Tanjung Malim, Perak, Mat Ali is inspired by his silat gayung education seriously. His awards encompass prevailing Third prize in the KL Sentral Sculpture Contest (1997) and Honourable Mention at the Phillip Morris Malaysia Arts Awards, Kuala Lumpur (1999). He participated in “Young and New” at House of Matahati in 2009 and had his first solo exhibition “Dendam Tak Sudah” at Metro Fine Art Gallery. In 2013, he had “Unsung Heroes” at Museum of Asian Art, University Malaya. He additionally held a debut of paintings “Kuda-Kuda Merdeka” at Art Row, Publika in 2018. The style of Mat Ali’s artworks are semi-abstract with paint overlapping many layers of textured coatings. Each layer was dried completely before the next layer to be painted in order to reap the effect. There is an explosion of red, blue, white, gold, black and yellow. Everything seems to be in disarray. However, at a closer look, the character of a horse starts off to emerge to the foreground. And once that focal point has been established, the curvatures dominate the painting. Viewers can see clearly what they really are – Silat stances. Mitochondria sequence is stimulated through the biologic term “Mitochondria”, as “the powerhouse of the cell” that produces cellular electricity for the cell growth. Mitochondria exists in the human body, as well as generates energy sources for plant life and animals. Mitochondria sculptures visualise the term of electricity and seriously change it into the photograph of warrior. A warrior is continually steady, neither defensive nor aggressive; therefore, to continue to be clamant alarm to defend their life, family, properties, as well as desires. Once a warrior is defeated, a lifestyles additionally reaches the end. For the Silat Series, Mat Ali Mat Som gets inspired by the main subject matter - the Kuda. It is derived from the Malay word called Horse. The horses represent resilience and stability. Horses are beasts of majesty and power. Even during times of war and strife, these animals represent stability and sure-footedness. Perhaps, that is the reason the term kuda-kuda is used in the ancient martial art. Mat Ali painting is a synonym as a silat movements, which explains the steps of “kuda- kuda”. Silat movement is also one of the traditional performances in Malay Culture. It is a posture of a warrior in perfect balance. To obtain victory, a warrior has to remain standing in battle. There are many forms in silat. But before one could make any form, one needs a solid foundation grounded just like martial art. Mat Ali also added the elements of patriotism in his paintings.