WFH? No problem! Malaysian artists Datuk Lat, Datuk Hoessein Enas and Fadilah Karim have shown us how they have captured the WFH lifestyle in their art. Photos: Handout
Sarong and singlet for the work day ahead. Check. Getting your job done as you carry your toddler in the studio space. Check. The loyal pet dog bringing cheer and keeping you company in the wee hours of the morning. Check.The Work From Home culture, which has been widely encouraged in Malaysia since the movement control order was implemented a year ago, is now the new normal, despite the challenges it faced during the lockdown months.
For Malaysian artists , this “new normal” isn’t such a novelty, especially since WFH is part of the art community’s everyday routine even before the pandemic. When it comes to those in the art scene, especially painters, sculptors, cartoonists and illustrators, their careers are tied to hours of being alone in the studio, seeking inspiration and working.
We’ve dug up a few self portraits to prove that artists have always been ahead of the WFH phenomenon. Here are some of our picks:As one of the early Malayan painters, Kuo was the epitome of the struggling artist in his day, and, it is believed, he never sold a single painting during his lifetime. This self portrait gives us a glimpse of the China-born Kuo working on a painting in his studio. Looking smart and comfortable in cotton shirt, this pioneer artist took the old school style seriously.