ROZANA'S REFRESHING BATIK & FINE HEART GALLERY AT LEBUH ACHEH, PENANG

Dean Nana, your are truly the ambassador of the soothing beauty and therapeutic nature of hand-painted batik art for Penang and Malaysia. You don't have to travel the world, but the world comes to you. You don't need a mega festival to tell and brag about your talent and little world of batik. You are not bothered by the lack of acknowledgement from the media, individuals and authorities related to batik, heritage, women, Malay and Islamic affairs, creative and visual art in Penang, even though you are very appreciative towards those who believe in your talent, including friends in the visual art circle such as the Penang State Art Museum. You persist despite all the obstacles thrown at you, including harassment from some 'self-appointed' enforcement officers and 'self-righteous' heritage fundamentalists. 

Yet, many people from all over the world, from all walks of life, young and old, have been touched by your passion to the art of hand-painted batik. Your small shops are certainly a global site with a local sensibility.

In your own humble way, and without all the glitter and glamor that one normally associate with 'a successful artist', you have been gardening the historical Lebuh Acheh, Penang for the past one year with your wonderful artistic touch, welcoming personality, humility and natural flair. More importantly, you have built a family of local and international friends that reaches beyond many artificial borders. Your guest book is a testimony of love and passion, filled with notes and reflections from your satisfied fans. 

I am blessed to be your number one fan.

THE VIEW

A view I wash my mind and heart every morning with, for the past seven years - the straits of Penang and the iconic Penang bridge.

(Photo by Malcom Photographic)

THE SHADE OF ROZANA'S FIVE FOOT WAY

Rozana's Refreshing Batik and Fine Heart Gallery, Lebuh Acheh, Penang. A cool pathway where one can take a shade after a long walk around George Town, with stenciled (much like 'batik' resist technique too) graffiti by Rozana on an existing JKR signage structure. Will be embedded with the history of Lebuh Acheh mosque and surrounding area, soon.

HANGING OUT CHILLING AND JAMMING AT AMANDA LANGKAWI

Thank you Amanda for being a sporting host. Thank you also for the special coffee and beautiful painting. Thank you Din and Yanto for sharing the riddles of practicing as visual artists in Langkawi.

WHY I DONT LAUGH AT A LANDSCAPE PAINTING

"Pemandangan Kampung Nelayan" (1977/78), oil paint on board (Collection of Haji Taha Ismail).

Amongst the earliest surviving 'works' by one Hasnul J Saidon, safe under the loving care of Tuan Haji Taha Ismail and Hajjah Puteh Saadiah Saidon.

"RINTIS 360 USM" RENTAS NEGARA

Pameran "Rintis 360 USM" merentas sempadan negara, bila ditemukan dengan para pelajar antarabangsa dari Hong Kong, Pakistan, Filiphina, Peranchis, Switzerland dan Holland. 

The "Rintis 360 USM" show cuts across nations as it received international student visitors from Hong Kong, Pakistan, the Philippines, France, Switzerland and Holland.

CHINA HOUSE AGAIN!

My 'carrot' would be, well.......a large chunk of tasty China House's 'carrot' cake! Yaaa, for that, I was willing to 'sell my soul' so-to-speak, to babble and rant about 'contemporary art' in Malaysia and its players and movers. I am currently trying very hard not to get myself busy doing such thing anymore, but the 'carrot' was too tempting to ignore.

Despite a little communication hick-up (I came when the intended 'talk' was taught to be canceled), Su Aziz of China House was kind enough to serve me the 'carrot'. Anyway, I spent quality time with the young curators of Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah (MGTF) USM, with Noriko Itsimatsu, a Phd researcher from Fukuoka who is currently staying in Penang to research on contemporary art in Malaysia. I gave a crash course on art appreciation based on this show brough over by Chandan Gallery KL to China House, called "Selected Top Malaysian Artists". I had the pleasure of whacking good this old early 1990s collage of color zerox print, done by one confused dude when he was facing a cultural shock in the USA. 

 Thank you again, China House.

TREE OF LIFE (POHON HAYAT) AT LEBUH ACHEH

My dear Nana, you are the flower of Lebuh Acheh and your'pohon hayat' is the manifestation of your creative beauty. George Town needs more 'gardening' of the hearts and minds, including on its barren walls. Your 'pohon hayat' reminds us of our shared heritage, our common cosmology, our spiritual beauty. 

TAMU

A salutation to those who had 'ziarah' Kebun Rupa. En. Anuar (Yayasan Islam Pulau Pinang),

1st. year students of New Media Art & Technology USM, Piano (cat), Assoc. Prof. Omar Bidin, Yusuf Bakar, Hasmi Hashim and his entourage, Raja Shahriman and his wife Mala, plus his entourage, and many more.

HARD KNOCKS.

Hard knocks that I received in UiTM under the tutelage of gurus such as Choong Kam Kaw, Fauzan Omar, Ismail Zain, Amron Omar, Ponirin Amin, Ariffin Ismail, Zakaria Awang and Awang Damit, have shaped this shadowy presence called Hasnul Jamal Saidon significantly. Am indebted forever. My doa for all of them.

"Hammer and Chisel" (1985), Oil on plywood.

EMPAT GENERASI TOK TIMAH

With lots of love.

Dari kiri, Azni Zaharina but. Taha, Yana bt. Mozat, Puteh Saadiah bit. Saidon dan Jamaliah bt. Noordin

BERUMAH DI TEPI PANTAI (LIVING BY THE BEACH SIDE)

"Berumah di Tepi Pantai", (1999) Acrylic and Oil on Canvas (Collection of Haji Taha Ismail)

A Homage to the persistent and strong spirit of one special Haji Taha Ismail, brother in-law/life guru/collector and staunch supporter of one blessed Hasnul J Saidon.