Dalam Kekuatan Ada Kelembutan (2021) (All photos: G13 Gallery)
Growing up in a devoutly religious family, Khairudin Zainudin was oblivious to the cultural arts and activities going on in his hometown of Kelantan. It was only after he became an adult that he began to appreciate his heritage and set out to “make amends for what he had missed”.
The artist says he still has mixed feelings about his upbringing but has turned that emotional baggage into artistic interpretations, using various mediums. Khairudin, now based in Kuala Lumpur, is holding an online solo exhibition titled Ambivalence, depicting activities in Kelantan, “the birthplace of many traditional arts”, and the drastic changes he has observed in the state over the years.
Ambivalence, hosted by G13 Gallery from July 17 to 31, is also a way of releasing the frustration he feels about taking culture for granted. Known for his gestural lines, Khairudin presents portraits and drawings that show the people in his home state and also how he is weaving the cultural and religious aspects of life together.
For details on the exhibition, see here.
This article first appeared on Jul 19, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia.
