LATIFF MOHIDIN

Foundational to his artistic voice is a keen attunement towards nature and his surroundings, made manifest in the fluid, dynamic imagery of his works. Belonging to the Minangkabao tradition, Mohidin’s practice is also influenced by its concept of merantau – to go forth, by leaving the homestead. In this spirit, Mohidin has traveled widely from Southeast Asia to Germany, his many journeys attesting to his taste for adventure and deeply informing his art.

Mohidin has held several solo exhibitions across Germany, London, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. In 1994, he was selected as the first artist to be featured in the Singapore Art Museum’s solo exhibition series of Southeast Asian art. Decades later, his 2018 solo exhibition at the Centre Pompidou showcased his acclaimed Pago-Pago series, which was subsequently featured at Ilham Gallery and National Gallery Singapore. One of Mohidin’s works from this series set a world auction record in 2019 at the MODERN MADE auction in London. His other accolades include the 1969 French Ministry of Culture Scholarship for studies at the Lacourière-Frélaut in Paris, the subsequent 1969 John D. Rockefeller III Grant for residency at New York’s Pratt Institute, the 1984 Southeast Asian Writers Award, and the Malaysian Literary Awards for four years in a row from 1972-1976.

Text courtesy Gajah Gallery.