ABD Muhamin Bin Hasbollah was born in 1965. He grew up in a Felda community in Pontian, Johor, and was a painter before he became a wood carver.
In 1985, he signed up for a training programme in basic wood carving at the Kraftangan Malaysia branch in Temerloh, Pahang. He continued learning by apprenticing with Abd Latiff bin Long, a royal wood carver in Kelantan.
Armed with his knowledge and skills, with his small capital he set up Inakraf in 1991 and started selling his designs of traditional flowers, which became his trademark as a wood carver.
Recently he had a solo Temerloh Series 2021 exhibition entitled ‘Bahkolektion’, showcasing Muhaimin’s restored woodworks from the devastating 2014 flood in Pahang. It is also a series that highlights Malaysian wood carvers' creativity and talent. The exhibition was organised by MTIB and co-curated by designer Muhamad Razif Nasruddin.
In 2012, Muhaimin won the Best Craftsmanship Award at the International Live Wood Carving Show and Competition in China, giving Malaysia a spotlight on woodcrafting, which made him an internationally acclaimed wood carver.
Wood carving has been part of Malay culture from as early as the 14th century. It is a very well-known craft in Peninsular Malaysia, especially in the east coast states like Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu. It has been a part of Malay architectural heritage and can be seen in traditional Malay houses, palaces, and mosques. – The Vibes, February 11, 2023
Adiguru Cendana is a community arts programme that aims to sustain the development and ensure the continuity of Malaysian traditional art forms, implemented by Cendana (Cultural Economy Development Agency) in collaboration with cultural organisation Pusaka. A total of 34 masters of traditional arts throughout the country have received Adiguru Cendana grants.
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