CORE contemporary art

Echoes of Resilience

Solo Exhibition:-

Amirul Md. Noor

6th August – 14th September 2024

Core Design Gallery @ SJCC Gallery

*Click on images to zoom in

Originating from Kuala Berang, Terengganu, Amirul Md. Noor, or friendly known as Amad was born in the year of 1996. Since he was young, Amad has been passionate about art, which led him to enroll in Sekolah Seni Malaysia in Johor. Driven by his passion, he furthered his practice by pursuing a Master’s degree in Fine Art and Technology at UiTM. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Amad, along with a group of artist friends, established a collective based in Klang named Empati Studio. This collective actively participated in numerous art projects, collaborations with various art collectives for thematic art productions, competitions, and exhibitions.

Since 2019, Amad has been exploring the parallels of formative gesture through expressionism in drawing and painting. Through numerous trials and errors, he has experimented with different mediums to achieve a certain significance in his artworks. Transitioning from paint to charcoal, Amad discovered a tendency to work with human figures as he became increasingly interested in body language. Inspired by nonverbal activities, Amad was intrigued by human communication without dialogues or voices, such as dancing or physical actions. For instance, during the silent film era, as exemplified by Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times,” gestures and miming movements were used to express comical actions. Through body movements or facial expressions, audiences can understand the characters’ situations and reactions. Similarly, Amad found inspiration in the gestural human movements as he observed in theatre plays like DRAMATARI. The form and artistic value in the art performance were astonishing which compels Amad to be persistent in drawing the biomorphic figurative.

In “Echoes of Resilience,” Amad explores themes of embracing diversity and challenging societal standards. In a world of continuous technological enhancement, society now grapples with “resentment issues” related to living opposite organic lifestyles, challenging beauty standards, relationship diversities, and seeking social media approval, which can lead to criticism and harm. In the pre-historic era, as depicted in traditional Malay movies, condemning someone’s appearance has always existed. People at that time were consumed with ideologies of witchcraft, curses, and a lack of knowledge. Many misunderstand the causes and consequences of someone’s existence.

For example, in Jamil Sulong’s movie “Dayang Senandong,” the protagonist is hated and insulted by her mother-in-law due to her dark skin as she was cursed since birth. However, the curse occurred because the king, her father, was blinded by false defamation, leading an innocent person to curse every descendant of the royal family. As the Malay proverb says, “Kerana mulut badan binasa,” which means “Because of the words, the body suffers,” highlighting how words can lead to dire consequences.  

In “Dancing Matters 1 and 2,” Amad paints two ballerinas dancing gracefully, yet burdened by the expectations and standards imposed on them. It is common to see dancers, performers, or models expected to be fit, healthy, or skinny, but in these artworks, Amad portrays a comical and weary expression on both ballerinas. One ballerina shows hesitation in her movements, despite confidently embracing her shortcomings, while the other is entangled in rings of doughnuts that trap her, concealing her inner feelings. Amad holds closely to Francis Bacon’s famous quote, “The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express,” believing that beauty comes in many perspectives, regardless of who you are or what you look like.

Similarly, renowned New Zealand choreographer and dancer Parris Goebel, founder of The Royal Family Dance Crew, has shared many inspirational thoughts over the years. Featured in advertisements for big names like the well-known sports brand Nike, she often says, “Believe in yourself and your vision. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.” This quote encapsulates her empowering message about self-confidence and determination, which she frequently emphasizes in her interviews.

Through technological enhancement, social media played several crucial roles as people adapted to new circumstances and sought to stay connected, informed, and entertained. The rise of social media led to the debut of many famous content creators and gave birth to the terms “internet celebrity” or “influencer,” which made waves in the creative industry. These revolutions that happened post-pandemic have brought several changes to society, including work and employment flexibility, technology and digital transformation, healthcare, education, work-life balance, consumer behavior, social and cultural changes, urban and rural dynamics, and environmental impact.

However, every situation has its own pros and cons. The adaptation to misinformation, addiction, abusive use of social media, privacy breach concerns, cyberbullying, harassment, social isolation, and the negative impact on children’s and adolescents’ growth are significant challenges. One of the consequences in the post-pandemic era that has silently impacted the globe is the rise in mental health issues.

In “Struggles Within,” Amad portrays a silhouette lying down, experiencing a meltdown, or more accurately, burnout. This artwork captures the feeling of being unmotivated and lacking the energy to complete daily tasks. This struggle is deeply connected to the inner parts of the human experience, where individuals are unable to express or voice their pain, forcing them to internalize these strong, undefined feelings. Due to these feelings, social media netizens often view the situation as fake and pretentious, resulting in harassment for medical approval.

Similarly, in “Contemplative Reverie,” there are times when the body freezes or the mind shuts down, resulting in emotional numbness. This phenomenon is often observed in situations where individuals are deeply lost in thought or overwhelmed by their emotions, leading to a temporary disconnection from their surroundings. Psychologists have extensively documented the intricate link between our bodies and our emotions or traumas. This connection is particularly evident in psychosomatic responses, where psychological factors manifest as physical symptoms. Our emotions can significantly influence our physical posture and bodily sensations, creating a dynamic interplay between the mind and body.

In terms of psychosomatic responses, when individuals are tired, stressed, or feeling defeated, their body language often reflects these emotional states. Common physical responses include slouching or bending over, which can be seen as a physical expression of the mind’s burden. This response highlights the bidirectional influence between the mind and body: just as mental states can affect physical posture, physical states can also impact mental well-being.

Amad’s concept of the “Burden of Strength” and “Carrying Shadow” vividly captures the weight of responsibility through a striking visual metaphor. In his image, a figure is depicted with a heavy load on their back, symbolizing the immense burden that strength can entail. This burden, as heavy as a boulder, represents the responsibilities and challenges that come with being the pillar of support for one’s family. The image powerfully conveys the idea that strength is not just about physical power but also about enduring the emotional and psychological weight of ensuring the well-being of loved ones. The figure’s shadow, stretched and distorted by the load, symbolizes the often unseen and unacknowledged struggles that accompany such responsibilities. Through this poignant depiction, Amad highlights the relentless efforts and silent sacrifices made by those who bear the weight of their family’s support, enduring substantial emotional and psychological weight, making their resilience both admirable and daunting.

Albeit all, these complexity interplay between societal expectations, personal struggles, and the impact of technology has always take control in our lives. Amad believes that by embracing diversity, challenging traditional standards, and recognizing the weight of responsibility can reveal the true essence of human resilience. By highlighting the beauty that transcends physical appearance and the silent battles that many  had faced, Amad encourages us to see beyond the superficial and understand the deeper emotional and psychological experiences that shape our lives. As we navigate the post-pandemic world with its technological advancements and social media influences, it is crucial to remain mindful of these inner struggles and support each other in our collective journey towards well-being and acceptance.

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