Mind, Body and Soul II once again introduces some of Malaysia’s most exciting contemporary artists in a meeting of minds and souls through the central theme of the Body. Mastering the ability to render the human body to perfection, forms the foundation of a sound art education, and all artists, be they realists, abstractionists, or conceptualists should be able to draw the figure. Due to the lack of figurative tutelage in the Malaysian art curriculum for twenty years (from 1971-1991), a whole generation of Malaysian artists were schooled without any exposure to life-drawing. It wasn’t until 1991 when Bayu Utomo Radjikin bucked the trend with his rebellious sculpture, Bujang Berani which won him the esteemed Young Contemporary Award that year, that the figure has made a resurgence in Malaysia.

Following on from the success of the inaugural Mind, Body and Soul exhibition held in December 2005, Matahati founding member Bayu Utomo Radjikin and Lim Wei-Ling, (Wei-Ling Gallery) have reprised the concept, bringing together a selection of Malaysia’s most progressive figurative artists to present their own perspective of the human form.

The second instalment of the project will feature the works of modern master, Yusof Ghani, acclaimed contemporary artists Jalaini Abu Hassan and J. Anurendra, members of the controversial Matahati group Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Ahmad Fuad Osman, Yaakub Hairi, and Hamir Soib, surrealist Chan Kok Hooi, multi-media artist Phuan Thai Meng, through to up-coming young artists Chin Kong Yee, Soraya Mohammad Yusof, Cheong Tuck Wai and Yakup Mohd Rafee.