Art

3:33: Capturing surrealism and fantasy through art

Malaysia’s rising visual artist Haris Rashid invites audiences into his world of surrealism

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 31 Jan 2021 3:00PM

3:33: Capturing surrealism and fantasy through art
The Hanged Man (2020). Acrylic and silver leaf on canvas. – Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space, January 31, 2021

by Amalina Kamal

WEAVING the relationship between life and death, depictions of the living form personified through nature are seen interacting with mortal remains and the obscurity of the beyond in an intricate visual titled ‘The Hanged Man’.

The artist responsible, 29-year-old Haris Rashid, regards the painting as his most dynamic piece among the multitude of dream-like artworks under his belt. 

It was inspired by science, fantasy and “the things that exist in between”.

“The painting looked entirely different in the beginning – it incorporated more greenery (like a jungle) before coming to the final output. It’s interesting to see how it evolved over the years, which in the end references were taken predominantly off tarot cards (which explains the painting’s title),” shared the Kedah-born artist in a recent interview on his ‘3:33’ solo exhibition at the Zhan Art Space Petaling Jaya.

(L) Haris Rashid. (R) Batin (2020). Mixed media on kain pelikat. - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space
(L) Haris Rashid. (R) Batin (2020). Mixed media on kain pelikat. - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space

Transporting audiences to exotic realms

Exploring the distinction between artistry and rationality is rather ambiguous when it comes to the concept of surrealism. Often artworks from this movement are never intended to be bright lined to begin with. 

While the meanings behind Haris' creative expressions may not be straightforward, the equivocacy supporting it is what makes his artworks poignant.

"Surrealism appeals to me because it is the art of taking realism and twisting the rules. It is also a form of escape, and coping mechanism where you can create your own reality,” said the contemporary artist.

The colours incorporated in Haris’ artworks are all personal feelings translated during the process that he wants to emote, with the hope that it can resonate well with the public.

“[Colours] for me have energies, and it is important that I share it across to capture the essence of my art appropriately. 

Daybreak (2020). Acrylic on canvas - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space
Daybreak (2020). Acrylic on canvas - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space

“One of the paintings, called ‘Daybreak’ carries a warm, positive tone – familiar with how one would wake up feeling in the morning. Another, called ‘Dua Alam’ exudes a kind of cold, and passive tones to depict the mythology the painting wants to portray,” he shared, adding that he is not afraid to “combine unexpected colour (mixing warm and cool tones together) to create some sort of harmony”.

He explained that the contemporary approach of his artworks does not only come through the vibrancy of the palette used, but also through the subject matter.

“While I try to break boxes and stereotypes highlighting topics such as gender (exploring the ideas of masculinity and femininity), I am also respectful of our culture. Hence, the art produced is interpreted in a subdued, double meaning manner – if you get it, you get it,” said Haris.

Duduk Rumah (2020). Digital painting. - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space
Duduk Rumah (2020). Digital painting. - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space

For the ‘Duduk Rumah’ piece, the rising artist noted that he chose the head to become the house to represent the literal state of the mind that many of us face. 

“There is also one that touches on domestic abuse, where I try to highlight the duality in the reality of couples dealing with it during the pandemic. Some feel so safe while others, vulnerable,” he added.

Emotional escapism

Haris’ exhibition, which is featured online, probes into a form of escapism resulting from the uncertainty and developments that the pandemic has brought. 

It aims to transport audiences to exotic realms through striking artworks that depict an idyllic fantasy world allowing people to embark on their wildest imagination.

Explaining his creative process deeper, Haris tries to look at a subject in a bigger picture and finds forms of nature to be the best way to relay his message across.

Dua Alam (2020). Acrylic on canvas. - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space
Dua Alam (2020). Acrylic on canvas. - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space

“[Nature] is unbiased and there are a lot of metaphors that can be associated with it,” he expressed, noting his paintings tend to be in line with the spiritually of the modern age. 

“It's nothing crazy that I want people to believe in the idea but simply to broaden the mind,” Haris added.

On the reason behind utilising symbols, numerology, myths and metaphors in his works of art, he jokes, “maybe I just like to make things complicated”.

Haris then shared: “Take numerology for instance, it is interesting to me that something as accurate as numbers can also allow us to discover things that are abstract such as emotions and personality – that type of duality appeals to me”.

“The number 3 itself relates to my life path, which represents creativity and exploration. It is also a divine number in many religions, having a strong representation on the aspect of mind, body and spirit. Why ‘3:33’ in specific – it is simply to reflect the synchronicity of time in the new-age that is noticed by a lot of people today”.

Having pursued art professionally full-time since the age of 21 (but harnessing his passion since he was four-years-old), he shares, “I first got into surrealism through anime – there is a fantasy and an offbeat element to it that sort of already introduced me to the aspects of the movement. I guess my interest in it has always been there, it just evolved over time”.

Haris is known to use mixed media in his artworks (comprising wood, paper, glass, corals, a rattan mat and sarong) to recreate unworldly narratives.

Heavily inspired by nature, Haris often experiments with various media combinations and surfaces, wood and textured pressed paper being two he likes working with most. - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space
Heavily inspired by nature, Haris often experiments with various media combinations and surfaces, wood and textured pressed paper being two he likes working with most. - Picture courtesy of Zhan Art Space

He explained the use of ‘kain pelikat’ in one of his artworks is done to provide a “stronger emotion when you see the actual material being used”.

"There is so much meaning and ideas associated with the material (i.e. culture and tradition), that I didn’t even need to overtly paint too many things on it to make an impact,” said Haris.

“I think most artists pursue art, especially in times of uncertainty, is for personal development regardless what present economic situations would suggest,” he added, explaining why art is relevant even during tough times.

“Art is an important documentation of history. If we do not produce it, we would not get the psyche of the people at that time right.

"I look at art as my obligation to the society – if they can’t express it themselves, then I would like to produce something that is relatable. For my artworks, I specifically didn’t want to bring my audience in a negative space. Instead of feeling constraint, I want them to feel liberated, I want them to free their mind,” he said.

For artists, Harris explained that there is a level of responsibility to continue creating because they (artists) are visual knights, expressing abstract emotions that could not be written down for historians to (one day) revisit a time captured through a bigger picture.

Visit @zhanartmy on Instagram to explore the ‘3:33’ exhibition featuring over 40 artworks, which are up for purchase with prices ranging between RM88 and RM7,888. – The Vibes, January 31, 2021

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