Umibaizurah Mahir’s profile on Artsy
Umibaizurah Mahir
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Full name: Umibaizurah Mahir @ Ismail
Born 1975 in Johor, Malaysia
When the word “ceramics” is mentioned, what most people imagine would likely be ornate traditional household objects and tableware. Any association with, or notion of, contemporary art might just be furthest from what one’s mind may typically conjure. Until, of course, they become acquainted with the clay and ceramics artworks by Umibaizurah Mahir @ Ismail, or Umi for short.
Seeing her work, the idea that Umi pushes the traditional boundaries of ceramics would be an understatement. Over the many years that she has been active, ceramics has successfully been used as a medium to address and tackle many contemporary issues, occurring both domestically and globally. Among them are unfettered development at the expense of the environment, the state of the nation, and humanity through the lenses of economics and politics.
The seriousness of her subject matter is camouflaged by the playful visual quality of her ceramic sculptures and assemblages. Many of her works are imagined hybrids of species, objects and machinery, linking the multitude of issues concerning the modern world we live in.
As sublimely toy-like as they may appear, these works of contemporary art are certainly not items for child play, but instead are deeply rooted in meaning and aesthetic, as can be surmised from the intricate surface imagery each objet d’art possesses.
I regard clay as a form of vehicle for communication between religion, people, and across the cultures. For me, it provides a means for constantly evaluating our place in our time.
Umibaizurah Mahir @ Ismail
(from artist’s profile at Jakarta Contemporary Ceramic Biennale website)
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Art and Design (Ceramics), Faculty of Art & Design, MARA University of Technology (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia
Diploma in Education (Art), Faculty of Art & Design MARA University of Technology (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia
Awards
2010
Top Under 40, Prestige Malaysia – Poised For Power 2010, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2007
Top 10 Winners, The Young Contemporaries ’06, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Consolation Prize, Mekar Citra 2007, Galeri Shah Alam, Malaysia
2005
National Arts Council Arts Grant, Singapore
2004
Top Five Winners, Clay Sculpture, Collaboration with Children, Tokoname City Culture Hall, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
Grant for IWCAT Japan Workshop, awarded by MARA (UiTM), Selangor, Malaysia
1999
Finalist, Nokia Arts Awards – Asia Pacific, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Honourable Mention, Philip Morris Malaysian Art Awards ’99, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
First Prize, Johor Art Competition ’99, Yayasan Warisan Johor, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
1998
Dean’s List (Ceramics), School of Art & Design, MARA University of Technology, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
1995
Consolation Award, National Day Competition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Solo Exhibitions
2016
Fragile, The Edge Galerie, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2012
Tag, Wei Ling Contemporary, The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2009
Hybrid, Wei Ling Gallery, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Group Exhibitions
2017
Art Jakarta 2017, Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Pacific Place, Jakarta, Indonesia (with Artemis Art)
Belantara, Segaris Art Center, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2016
Bye Bye 2016, Musee Maenaka, Miyagi, Japan.
Art AID 16: Love For Sale, White Box, MAP@Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art Expo Malaysia 2016, MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(with Segaris Art Center)
Breathe, Galeri Chandan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Transit A2, HOM Art Trans, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art Stage 2016, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore (with Taksu Gallery)
Chanpuru (3-Man Show), Mominoki Gallery, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
2015
Start Art Fair: A Door Ajar, Saatchi Gallery, London (with Galeri Chandan)
Champuru, Echigo-Tsumari Niigata, Japan
Art Expo Malaysia 2015, MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(with Segaris Art Center)
Art Aid 2015 Charity Show, Segaris Art Center, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kita (3-Man Show), T&S Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
The Space Between, Wei Ling Contemporary, The Gardens Mall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2014
Diversity: Malaysian Arts, La Galleria Pall Mall, Central London, London
Art Bazaar Berlin 2014, Messe Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Route 19 (International Exchange Exhibition, Malaysia & Holland), Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Art Expo Malaysia 2014, MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(with Artcube Gallery)
Samsung Masterpieces Malaysia, Galeri Petronas, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Köelner Liste (The Fair for Contemporary Art), Cologne, Germany
Malaysian Eye Project (Exhibition and book launch of Prudential Malaysian Eye: Contemporary Malaysian Art), White Box, MAP@Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tomorrow’s Land (3-Man Show), Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
2013
The Opening, Art Cube Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia..
Kembara Jiwa Fukuoka: Expanded Passion, Galeri Chandan, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan
Natural Theatre, Annendaelse Hoeve 107, by artists KC61, Echt, Netherland
Bridge: Dari Utara ke Selatan (Project Installation), Esplanade Concourse, Esplanade, Singapore
5 Seasons, Norbert Dabekaussen Kunst Gallery, Sittard, Netherland.
Century of The East, Silpakorn University, Thailand.
SEKAKI, Segaris Art Center, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Spice 2013, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
2012
Jakarta Contemporary Ceramic Biennale #2, Indonesia Visual Art & Ceramic Museum and North Art Space Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Nam Yi Seom International Ceramics Festival, Incheon, Korea
Conception in Reconciliation (Kembara Jiwa Project 2012), Selasar Sunaryo, Bandung and Taman Budaya, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
TRANSIT A4, House of MATAHATI, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art for Nature, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Suarasa, Segaris Art Centre, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Songsang, Galeri Chandan, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2011
World Travel Market 2011, ExCel London, London
Cheongju International Craft Biennale 2011, Cheongju, South Korea
Refreshingly Different, Taksu Gallery, Bali, Indonesia
The Malaysian Rice Plates Project, KL Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Manifestasi Merdeka, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art For Nature: Here Today Gone Tomorrow, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Cage / Uncage, Wei Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
New Painting and Sculpture, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Women and Their Landscapes, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
LOCALS ONLY!, Taksu Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rogue Wave! (Art Stage Singapore Fringe Project), Taksu Gallery, Singapore
2010
The Young Contemporaries ’10, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
TIANG SERI (Two-Man Show), Ernst & Young, Singapore.
Art For Nature: Survivor, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Paperworks: Marks and Trails of Artistic Minds, Galeri Chandan, Publika, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Thou Art Women (2010 World Expo Shanghai), Shanghai, China
Five, Jiyugaoka Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Boleh!, Taksu Gallery, Singapore
3-Man Show, Azabujuban Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
International Exchange Residency: Tanah Timur, Kyouei-gama Gallery, Tokoname, Japan
The Tiger Show, Wei Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
TAKSU Singapore’s New Space Opening, Taksu Gallery, Singapore
LOCALS ONLY!, Taksu Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2009
Jakarta Contemporary Ceramic Biennale #1, North Art Space, Jakarta, Indonesia
1 Malaysia, Beyond The Canvas 18@8, Wei Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tanah Timur: International Exchange Residency (Malaysia & Japan), Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contemporary Malaysia Art, Gallery Archana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tanah Air, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Malaysia Services Exhibition 2009 (MSE 2009), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Contemporary Ceramic Asia Ceramic Network 09, Penang State Art Gallery, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Asia Ceramics Network 08 (Cyber & Catalog Exhibition), Seoul, South Korea
2008
Cabinet, Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Vice and Versus 18@8, Wei Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Emerging Asia 2008 Asia Arts Network, KEPCO Gallery Seoul, South Korea
Art Triangle 2008, Sokka Gakkai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wet Seasons, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Art For Nature: Shifting Boundaries, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Mind, Body, and Soul, Wei Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Out Of The Mould – The Age Of Statement, Malmo Art Museum, Malmo, Sweden
2007
Mapped, Jendela Visual Arts Space, Esplanade, Singapore
International Contemporary Ceramic: Asia Ceramics Network & Selsius, National Art Gallery Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Young Contemporaries 2006, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Out Of The Mould – The Age Of Statement, Petronas Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Jejak, Galeri Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
Exhibition, Pace Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Warning! Tapir Crossing (Two-Man Show with Ahmad Shukri Mohamed), Grand Opening of Patisatu Studio, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Ceramic and Textile, Pelita Hati Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kunang- Kunang III, Studio-Gallery Kunang-Kunang, Selangor, Malaysia
Open House, Kebun Mimpi Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mekar Citra 2007, Galeri Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Virtuosity (Women’s Show), Galeri Seni Johor, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Matahati Fund-Raising, Sokka Gakkai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art For Nature: ‘00.15 Superstar’, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Setahun Bersama, The Weld, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2006
18@8 Contemporary Artists from Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur & Karachi, Pakistan
Art Invitational, Bank Negara Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Open House, Gema Rimba, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Sculpture Show, Gema Rimba, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art For Nature: Feed Me! An Exploration of Appetites, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Tabik/Salute (A tribute Exhibition for Jeri Azhari), National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Arts @ Earth, XOAS Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Arts @ Earth, KL Performing Arts Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art Salon Show, XOAS Gallery, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
TOYS (Two-man Show with Ahmad Shukri Mohamed), Wei Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2005
Pop Culture, Maya Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art For Nature: Taman Sari WWF, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Grand Opening, Wei Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Takung, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Form-ing Materials and Processes (Two-Man Show with Ahmad Abu Bakar), Sculpture Square, Singapore
2004
Fifth teen, Darling Muse Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Art For Nature: Paradise Lost/Paradise Found, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Young Contemporary Award 2004, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
IWCAT, JULY – AUGUST ‘04, The International Workshop of Ceramic Art in Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
Tokoname City Culture Hall, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
INAX, Togaku Kobo Gallery, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
The World Children’s Painting, Tokoname City Library, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
Clay Design – Collaboration with Children, Tokoname City Culture Hall, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
Symposium: Brush Calligraphy, Tokoname Higashi Elementary School, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
Yakimono, Tokoname Ceramic Festival, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
Immersion, Maya Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2003
Wahana (Collaboration Exhibition, Singapore and Malaysia), National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Games People Play, Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
Formalisma Tampak Dalam Seni Khat & Seni Tampak Malaysia, Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka , Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia
Virus (joint exhibition with Ahmad Shukri Mohamed), Art Season Gallery, Singapore.
Impressions, Shah Alam Gallery, Selangor. Malaysia.
Incubator series (Collaboration work with artist Ahmad Shukri Mohamed), Rimbun Dahan, Selangor, Malaysia
2001
OPEN SHOW 2001, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phillip Morris Malaysian Art Awards ’01, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1999
Johor Exhibition, Yayasan Warisan Johor, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Nokia Arts Awards – Asia Pacific, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Philip Morris Malaysian Art Awards ’99, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Malaysian Insurance Institute, Mandarin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1998
Degree Show, School of Art & Design, MARA University of Technology, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
1997
Young Contemporary ’97, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Workshops, Residencies & Projects
2015
International Exchange Residency, Doronco Studio, Kamariyahigashi, Yokohama, Japan
2014
Art In The Park ‘Public Art’, Perdana Botanical Gardens, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Route 19 International Exchange Residency, Patisatustudio, Selangor, Malaysia
Samsung Masterpieces Digital Art Project by Samsung
2013
Bridge: Dari Utara ke Selatan, Project Installation, Esplanade Concourse, Esplanade, Singapore
5 Seasons, International Exchange Residency, Echt, the Netherlands
2012
International workshop, Century of The East, Silpakorn University, Thailand
Nami Seom International Ceramics Festival, South Korea
2009
Tanah Timur International Exchange Residency, Tokoname, Japan
2004
IWCAT (International Workshop of Ceramic Art in Tokoname), Tokoname, Aichi, Japan
In The Media (selected)
2016
“Seni ukiran seramik tanah liat” – Kosmo!, October 10 2016
“Artists who ‘bake’ with clay” – The Star, October 9 2016
“Fired by the Charm of Ceramics” – Penang Monthly, October 2016
“Keeper of Fragile Things” – The New Straits Times, July 24 2016
“Her Fragile Heart” – The Peak, June 30 2016
2014
“Three artists’ idea of what tomorrow brings” – The Star, January 25 2014
2012
“‘TAG’ Exhibition By Umibaizurah Mahir At Wei-Ling Contemporary” – Lipstiq Malaysia, February 2012
2009
“Menjenguk arca seramik kontemporari” – Utusan Malaysia, November 15 2009
“Porcelain Poems: Tanah Timur @ The Japan Foundation” – Arteri, July 12 2009
Public and Private Collections (selected)
Asia Arts Network, Seoul, South Korea
Consulate General Of Malaysia, Songkhla, Thailand
Grand Hyatt Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
IWCAT (International Workshop Of Ceramic Art In Tokoname), Japan
MARA University Of Technology (UiTM), Selangor. Malaysia
Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
Nami Island, South Korea
National Visual Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Petronas Gallery, KLCC Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Shilpakorn University, Thailand
Yayasan Warisan Johor, Johor, Malaysia
Prominent Private Collections in Australia & Malaysia
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