Bima Sakti, 2009 by Ahmad Fuad Osman

Ahmad Fuad Osman is recognized as one of the most eminent artists on the Malaysian contemporary art scene, for a portfolio of artworks that traverse diverse mediums including painting, sculpture, video and installation. He graduated from UiTM with a BFA in Fine Arts in 1991, and it was during his time at UiTM he met Bayu Utomo, Ahmad Shukri, Masnor and Hamir Soib, four artists he would go on to found the eminent collective MATAHATI with. Being one of the first Malaysian artists to strongly use a multidisciplinary approach to making art establishes that research and concept are highly regarded and indeed necessary to his artistic process. Fuad himself has stated that the idea is the most important point in his artwork, and the medium he executes it in is simply which he feels will best represent his message.

Fuad has had numerous solo exhibitions and residencies around the world. His work has found worldwide acclaim and been exhibited in institutions and shows including Tacheles Berlin, The Seoul Metropolitan Art Museum, Sharjah Biennale, Singapore Biennale, Singapore Art Museum, Gertrude Art Centre, Melbourne, Australia, Guangdong Museum of Art China, Manes Gallery, Czech Republic and Red Mill Gallery, Vermont USA as well as the National Art Gallery and Petronas Gallery in Malaysia. His awards include the Juror’s Choice at the Philip Morris Art Awards in both 2000 and 2003. Fuad was the artist in residence at the Vermont Studio Centre in America in 2004, at the Goyang National Art Studio in South Korea from 2005-2006 and at the Rimbun Dahan Residency in Malaysia from 2007-2008.

Bima Sakti celebrates the year Fuad turned 40, as well as the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing! He painted the birds and the kampung houses to depict his environment 40 years ago.