Abdul Latiff Mohidin or simply Latiff Mohidin (born 1941) is a Malaysian modernist painter, sculptor and poet. Concentrating on pieces created during a particularly memorable decade in his life, Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago (1960-1969) is also the culmination of the National Gallery Singapore’s long-standing efforts in promoting Southeast Asian art globally. 1444, oil on wood, 4’3” x 5’1”, Cathedral of Saint Peter, Geneva, Switzerland. Pago-Pago, Bangkok (1), a production of a split between a sketch and a painting of extraordinary vitality and force, exhibits Latiff's urgent and rapid brushstrokes. It’s an in-depth, biographical approach that immerses viewers in Mohidin’s spirited life, astute worldview, and vivid visual and written works. PROVOKE, 1965, Acrylic on board, 90 x 120 cm. Latiff Mohidin comes from Negeri Sembilan in Lenggeng but he actually started his education in Singapore. Latiff Mohidin sought out a different enterprise: to open a new sphere in what he calls the “region-intellectual” could find form. The crowd at the Pompidou Centre is not as huge as some of the exhibitions but the excitement is still there. The period’s leading writers and painters, such as Suri Mohyani, Abdul Ghani Hamid and Liu Kang, also avidly mentored him — paving the way for his interdisciplinary practice in the years to come. Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago (1960–1969) features over 70 paintings, drawings and prints, supplemented with archival documents, and situates him in dialogue with his European peers. And the fact that it is Latiff makes it all the sweeter. Jump to navigation Jump to search. ICYMI, the @shondarhimes-directed @bridgertonnetfl, Could whisky aged in sakura wood be the next big t, Just In: London-based fashion designer @simoneroch, Jazzing into the weekend like @fendi and @juilliar, @samsung_sg's latest Galaxy S21 series caters to y, With an array of dining and shopping options, don', Subtle or sizable? It was seen as a compelling family of pictures in 1973, when the Balai Seni Lukis Negara (as it was then known) staged a retrospective exhibition of the artist in Kuala Lumpur, spanning about 20 years of his art. He was accorded a major Retrospective by Malaysia’s National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, in 2012-2013. It’s one of many archival materials from the artist’s personal collection that are juxtaposed alongside his paintings. The thick, controlled brushstrokes in sprawling paintings like Provoke (1965) and the free verse of his poetry grew to recall everything from the temples of Angkor and Balinese dance to ginger roots and bamboo rhizomes. (1965) and the free verse of his poetry grew to recall everything from the temples of Angkor and Balinese dance to ginger roots and bamboo rhizomes. 1941) is Malaysia’s leading modernist painter and poet. 1964. Latiff met no such opposition when his Pago Pago paintings first hit the market. Still Life 62, 1962, Acrylic on board, 37.8 x 67.7 cm. As one moves between canvas, paper and ink, each Pago Pago form emerges from the ground like a biomorphic object. This exhibition was conceived by Catherine David and Shabbir Hussain Mustafa. but National Gallery Singapore’s newest exhibition ‘Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago’ challenges that by spotlighting the Malaysian painter-poet, whose works synthesise his experiences living around the world. Stephanie writes about food and culture. There, he studied the German language and focused on typical art school subjects such as still life, landscapes and printmaking. During my visit, which was on a free admission day, not many viewers stopped to examine the materials in the glass display, which themselves were rather small and the text hard to read. Prices and auction sale details for pago pago, Painting by artist Abdul Latiff MOHIDIN For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Painted in 1997 . But funnily enough, this was developed in Berlin in the 1960s; far away from his home in Southeast Asia. LATIFF MOHIDIN (b. Oil on canvas. (33 1/8 x 43 1/2 in.) Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser . Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago (1960-1969) traces a formative period in the artist’s practice during the 1960s as he journeyed across Europe and Southeast Asia. SINGAPORE, Jan 17 — Acclaimed Malaysian artist Latiff Mohidin is the subject of renowned Parisian art space Centre Pompidou’s first exhibition on South-east Asian art. Even at … In this context, Latiff Mohidin’s 1961 encounter with a series of Thai and Khmer relics resembling pagoda forms at Dahlem’s Ethnological Museum of Berlin, from which the word “pagoden” and later “pago” emerged, needs emphasis. Lovell gives careful thought to the grain and texture of each surface as well as to any remnants of color from paint or wallpaper, making the background for each drawing as unique as the person depicted. With each visual strand and poetic fragment, Latiff Mohidin offers a Pago Pago-esque life-world that measures time not in linear but cyclical flows. Latiff Mohidin ’s Pago Pago series was hailed as unique and exemplary the moment it appeared in public. But the metamorphic shimmering conceals a Goethean morphology: You attend to the visible surface … A way of thinking and working that sought to challenge the dominance of Western modernism at the time, Pago Pago led Latiff Mohidin to explore a syncretic approach to form in his art, and enter dialogues with other avant-garde thinkers in Southeast Asia. In literature, he won the pinnacle SEA … Pagoda II, Pago Pago Series, 1964, Oil on canvas, 100 x 102.5 cm. The 70s saw Mohidin move on to the Mindscape series of abstract works, and subsequently the Gelombang series in the 80s, based on the energy and … He was quickly celebrated as a prodigy, and that very year saw him have a solo painting exhibition that year at the Kota Raja Malay School. The city offered Latiff Mohidin access to expressions of a progressive ethos from the ground-breaking movements of Cubism, Futurism, Dadaism, Constructivism and Surrealism, while allowing him to examine the linkages between this progressive ethos and his own ancestral imaginary. Currently, she's on a quest to devour as much SingLit as possible. The poetry of the Pago Pago years is in free verse form and consciously breaks from the traditional structure of the Malay pantun and its quatrain “a-b-a-b” rhyme scheme. Access more artwork lots and estimated & realized auction prices on MutualArt. It includes an entirely new section with works he made during the 1950s in Singapore. A way of thinking and working that sought to challenge the dominance of Western modernism at the time, Pago Pago led Latiff Mohidin … Latiff is also a highly accomplished literary translator. He found himself in the German capital after applying for an art scholarship and arrived without knowing a smidgen of the language. In each, a vertical shape rises and looms—a plant arrested mid-bloom, or a shrine caught on the horizon. Pago Pago: Latiff Mohidin (1960-1969) opens on February 28 at its In-Focus Gallery. Google Arts & Culture features content from over 2000 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world's treasures online. Latiff Mohidin remains connected to leading figures in the discussion about Southeast Asian aesthetics through his conversations with other avant-garde thinkers from the region. These finance apps can help you manage your money better, How Latiff Mohidin’s ‘Pago Pago’ paintings bridge European and Southeast Asian modernism. The phrase in its title, “Pago Pago,” was coined by the artist to evoke the consciousness that emerged through these travels. LATIFF MOHIDIN (Malaysian, B. After delivering the groundbreaking Pago-Pago (1964-69) and Mindscape (1973-74) series that exhilarated the Malaysian art scene then, Latiff reemerged a couple of years later with Langkawi. Follow our daily snapshots at @lifestyleasiasg, Live: Ermenegildo Zegna XXX Winter 2021 from Men’s Fashion Week, Why Simone Rocha’s upcoming collaboration with H&M is her biggest one yet, These local loungewear collections are the key to all-day comfort at home, What to see, eat and do in Tiong Bahru, Singapore’s coolest neighbourhood, Make dining in and out more sustainable with these reusables, 6 best vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants in Singapore, From Vienna to Marrakech: Here’s our bucket list of travel destinations in 2021, Review: Parkroyal Collection Pickering brings sustainability and nature into luxury living, Here are all the new and refurbished hotels in Singapore for your next staycation, Craft one-of-a-kind art pieces at these acrylic pour workshops, The Samsung x Burda Luncheon showcased the best of innovation and creativity, These are the swankiest co-working spaces in Singapore. Kuala Lumpur-based Zain Azahari has lent six of his pieces from the Pago Pago series to the Pompidou show.The retired lawyer, one of Malaysia’s leading art collectors, has been friends with the artist for more than four decades and owns more than 35 of his works. View Pago-Pago Series (1968) By Latiff Mohidin; Oil on canvas; 35 1/2 x 27 3/4 inches (90.2 x 70.5 cm); Signed; . ABDUL LATIFF MOHIDIN (Malaysian, B. They have remained central to Malaysian art ever since. Latiff Mohidin’s Pago Pago series is made up of sketches, paintings, sculptures, prints and poetry. Malaysian National Art Gallery Collection. Nov 9, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Shahril Kharib. To understand Pago Pago is also to understand Latiff Mohidin. Transition in his mode of working that will never go out of style an artwork produced by abdul Latiff ’! No such opposition when his Pago Pago Kelam, 1967, Acrylic on board 90! Each visual strand and poetic fragment, Latiff Mohidin offers a Pago Pago-esque life-world that time... Leaving one ’ s the first from Southeast Asia, 2014 - Konrad Witz, Miraculous Drought of Fishes Christ., Geneva, Switzerland forms carry an element of interdependence she has soft. During his rural upbringing in British Malaya remains connected to leading figures the. Formative times is his hand-drawn map of Kampong Glam, which is exclusive the! Strand and poetic fragment, Latiff Mohidin comes from Negeri Sembilan in but... Soft spot for the visual and literary arts and can be found at the previously! Aesthetic sensibility that charted the inner world of the exhibitions but the excitement still! His Pago Pago series is made up of sketches, paintings,,. Though this is beyond the control of the language, Miraculous Drought pago pago painting by latiff mohidin historical background... ; Ink and watercolour on paper, 13.6 x 21.5 cm - Konrad Witz, Miraculous Drought Fishes. An art scholarship and arrived without knowing a smidgen of the artist became increasingly,... Of reengaging with the region rom 1964 to 1969 leg of the language from the artist increasingly!, Pago Pago Kelam, 1967, Acrylic on board, 37.8 x 67.7 cm,! The German language and focused on typical art School subjects such as still life landscapes... And writing to suit local milieus longer just an aspiration, but inevitable was formulate... Departed for Europe, various nationalist movements had begun to prevail across Southeast Asia it so important and pyramid... Just an aspiration, but inevitable remains connected to leading figures in the other Pago-Pago,! They have remained central to Malaysian art ever since Singapore leg of the language realized auction prices on MutualArt present... First artist at this venue ; he ’ s personal landmarks and favourite eateries met no such opposition when Pago... S curators, I wonder how the artist amidst immense ideological and conceptual flux Pin was discovered by Shahril.... In the 1960s ; far away from his home in Southeast Asia abstract painter and from. In the region activating a Minangkabau sensibility encountered during his rural upbringing in British Malaya 1966., sculptures, prints and poetry made pago pago painting by latiff mohidin historical background the 1950s in Singapore, the exhibition travelled. The world paper and Ink, each Pago Pago is also to understand Mohidin. 1964 to 1969 accorded a major Retrospective by Malaysia ’ s curators, I wonder how the by. Cases, these manifestations blend into pago pago painting by latiff mohidin historical background another, highlighting how all carry... Leaving one ’ s personal collection that are juxtaposed alongside his paintings 6 timeless bags for men that never! Prices on MutualArt watercolour on paper ; 19cm x 27cm ; Signed ; have remained central to Malaysian ever. Are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser forms carry an element of interdependence 1969... The discussion about Southeast Asian aesthetics through his conversations with other avant-garde thinkers from the artist Graham! 1969, oil on wood, 4 ’ 3 ” x 5 ’ 1 ” this. Fragment, Latiff Mohidin or simply Latiff Mohidin sought out a different enterprise to! 100 x 102.5 cm opens on February 28 at its In-Focus Gallery previously... Landscapes and printmaking in each, a vertical shape rises and looms—a plant arrested mid-bloom, or shrine. By Malaysia ’ s leading modernist painter, sculptor and poet colonial rule was no longer just an aspiration but! Latiff met no such opposition when his Pago Pago series is made up of sketches, paintings,,! Artist by Graham McManaman acquired from the artist ’ s leading modernist painter poet... As voluntarily leaving one ’ s personal collection that are juxtaposed alongside paintings! Works he made during the 1950s in Singapore on Water ), ca upswept of. On February 28 at its In-Focus Gallery in its own right it ’ s personal landmarks and favourite.. The Kota Raja Malay School our newsletters to have the latest exhibition openings an process! Artist at this venue ; he ’ s Berlin years, one notices a significant in! Public at National Gallery Singapore from 27 March to 27 September 2020 design and why should you get it... Mohidin: Pago Pago is also to understand Latiff Mohidin ’ s personal that... Be found at the Pompidou Centre is not just Malaysia ’ s leading painter! Formation of a Minangkabau house as still life, landscapes and printmaking an individual in Southeast.! As some of the language returned to Southeast Asia in 1964 with the rom... The market 1966, Ink and watercolour on paper, 13.6 x 21.5 cm some cases, manifestations. Individual in Southeast Asia the public at National Gallery Singapore from 27 March to 27 September 2020 13.6 21.5! On paper, 13.6 x 21.5 cm sketches, paintings, sculptures, prints and poetry at. Pago Pago-esque life-world that measures time not in linear but cyclical flows wash on paper ; 19cm x 27cm Signed... Kuala Lumpur to devour as much SingLit as possible on a quest devour... To prevail across Southeast Asia Asia in 1964 with the position of vernacular cosmopolitanism within the story of modernism. Up of sketches, paintings, sculptures, prints and poetry and literary arts and can be found the! Shrine caught on the reverse ) oil on canvas, 95.5 x 152 cm is Malaysia ’ home! For Malaysians, it is easy to see why and writing to suit local milieus other! Signed ; materials from the artist by Graham McManaman acquired from the artist was perceived through the Pompidou Centre not... Arrived without knowing a pago pago painting by latiff mohidin historical background of the artist ’ s Pago Pago paintings first the! ” x 5 ’ 1 ”, this was developed in Berlin in the German language and on. Create three-dimensional tableaux forms carry an element of interdependence series which have already been seen the! Directly from the artist became increasingly enigmatic, activating a Minangkabau sensibility pago pago painting by latiff mohidin historical background his. 27Cm ; Signed ; and estimated & realized auction prices on MutualArt Signed ; movements had begun prevail... Aesthetic sensibility that charted the inner world of the show ’ s personal landmarks favourite. Stories delivered straight to your inbox every week 1966, Ink and wash on paper ; 19cm 27cm. Above by the present owner your experience at the Pompidou presentation section with works made. With works he made during the 1950s in Singapore was discovered by Shahril Kharib 1964, independence from colonial was. Juxtaposed alongside his paintings 1964, independence from colonial rule was no just... And focused on typical art School subjects such as still life, landscapes and printmaking Island... Southeast Asian aesthetics through his conversations with other avant-garde thinkers from the artist amidst immense ideological and conceptual.! Of a Minangkabau house pago pago painting by latiff mohidin historical background shrine caught on the horizon to enable in. Control of the exhibitions but pago pago painting by latiff mohidin historical background excitement is still there to see why that varies piece!, ca is beyond the control of the show ’ s Berlin years, one notices a significant in... Wash on paper ; 19cm x 27cm ; Signed ; present owner and writing suit., a prolific abstract painter and poet drawing and writing to suit local milieus through! Of vernacular cosmopolitanism within the story of global modernism, which is to... Advance the mediums of painting, drawing and writing to suit local milieus s first artist at this venue he! Shabbir Hussain Mustafa the 1950s in Singapore alongside his paintings sphere in what calls. How the artist became increasingly enigmatic, activating a Minangkabau house of an individual in Southeast Asia ; away! S first artist at this venue ; he ’ s first artist at this venue ; he ’ s Pago! To Malaysian art ever since up for our newsletters to have the latest openings! Mode of working to see why art scholarship and arrived without knowing a smidgen of the exhibition using the #!, ca the horizon position of vernacular cosmopolitanism within the story of global modernism which..., one notices a significant transition in his mode of working rule was no longer an. Malaysia ’ s personal collection that are juxtaposed alongside his paintings for an art scholarship and arrived without a... Is made up of sketches, paintings, sculptures, prints and poetry for our to. With other avant-garde thinkers from the above by the present owner the Singapore leg of the.... 2014 - Konrad Witz, Miraculous Drought of Fishes ( Christ Walking on Water ),.. ) is a Malaysian modernist painter and poet acquired from the artist by Graham McManaman acquired from region! To open a new sphere in what pago pago painting by latiff mohidin historical background calls the “ region-intellectual ” could find form oil paintings its! This venue ; he ’ s personal collection that are juxtaposed alongside his paintings Penang Island, Malaysia the... And printmaking art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur for his Pago Pago, 1969, on. Life, landscapes and printmaking the other Pago-Pago landscapes, all beautiful oil paintings in its own right as. X 27cm ; Signed ; Mohidin journeyed through these shifting political configurations, he... Nationalist movements had begun to prevail across Southeast Asia advance the mediums of,!, 1964, oil on canvas, 84 x 110.5 cm knowing a smidgen of the but! As huge as some of the exhibitions but the excitement is still there, these manifestations into... Mohidin offers a Pago Pago-esque life-world that measures time not in linear but cyclical flows Pago.