7 - 27 JANUARY 2006

Introduction | About 'Kalakotabharu' | Curator’s Note | Artist's Biography | Artworks

Engaging oneself in the visual art world demands not only interest but sheer dedication and continued existence in artistic creation. I have observed this spirit of active engagement with the visual art in Mohd Noor Mahmud since his student days at the Faculty of Art and Design, MARA Institute of Technology (now UITM). Upon his graduation back in 1988, Mohd Noor has chosen to set up his own studio to pursue what he believed in. The visual art scene in Malaysia was’t bullish then and surviving the stigma of being an ‘artist’ has made him even more determined to realise his dreams.

I remembered my first visit to his three storey house at Taman Seri Muda in Shah Alam. His invitation not only marks the beginning of our friendship, but allows an exchange of discussions on the changes in his ideas and concepts in art making processes. Mohd Noor has accomplished more than I have expected. He showed me his works comprising of many experimented embossed abstract imagery on various surfaces. His new found expression, achieved through a laborious layering process resembled a metonymic duplication of the passage of time emerged as an interesting art form. These artworks demand to be read differently from what we are used to – aesthetically and psycologically. Eventually, Mohd Noor’s works steadily bring together followers and attention from art collectors.
Lately, Mohd Noor’s creative exploration has metamorphosed beyond experimental abstract imagery. His artworks now has attached a great importance to decorative textiles. He has successfully stimulated new ideas and open up more complex interpretation of floral motives and their symbolic value to the Kelantanese society. I was completely immersed by the immediate visual impact upon seeing his works and not to mention the wider meaning behind those artworks. All these artworks that have been created by Mohd Noor are his ‘dreams’ and ‘strengths’ that I hope to see more advancements in near future.

I would like to sincerely thank him for giving me the opportunity to write a brief introduction for his exhibition catalogue. He is a friend that shares the same vision for Malaysian visual arts.

Fauzan Omar