KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 — A relaxed portrait of Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, is among the main attractions at the Merdeka Art Exhibition 2026 – Beautiful Malaysia, being held at Shoppes at Four Seasons Place here from Aug 25 to Sept 16.
Unlike conventional formal depictions of historical figures, the 80 x 60-centimetre acrylic-on-canvas work portrays the Father of Independence in a more approachable manner, reflecting a side of the statesman that resonates more closely with the public.
Its artist, Shasharizah Mohd Said, 52, said the walking stick synonymous with Tunku Abdul Rahman was deliberately retained, while the Jalur Gemilang was chosen as the backdrop to reinforce the themes of independence and love for the country.
Known by her artistic name Shasha MSaid, she said the painting, which took about two months to complete, required meticulous attention, particularly in capturing the statesman’s facial features, physique and style of dress.
“My main challenge was to accurately portray a historical figure who is no longer with us, particularly his facial features. I also had to study his physique, shoulders and style of dress because I did not want to make a mistake when painting a figure who holds such a special place in the hearts of Malaysians.
“I wanted to shift the paradigm of historical portraiture towards a more relaxed and less serious concept, while still preserving the stature of the figure and the deep respect for the late Tunku,” she said when met by Bernama at the exhibition, which was recently officiated by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman’s daughter, Puan Sri Tunku Noor Hayati Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
Shasharizah said her meticulous approach received the most meaningful recognition when Tunku Noor Hayati described the portrait as bearing a strong resemblance to her father’s actual face.
“When the late Tunku’s own daughter said that the face looked very much like him, I was truly honoured and deeply moved,” said the artist, who began painting seriously during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2020.
She has also produced a portrait of national hero Lieutenant Adnan Saidi, saying the works were not merely portraits but also served as a medium to help the public, particularly younger generations, recognise the faces and contributions of figures who played significant roles in the nation’s history.
“I chose to paint national heroes because I want to use art as a medium to educate society about figures who contributed greatly to the country,” said the former lecturer at a private higher education institution.
The two portraits are among more than 100 works by nearly 100 local artists from diverse backgrounds, showcased in conjunction with National Month, Malaysia Day and the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
Organised by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Saksama in collaboration with Art Market Malaysia, the exhibition is not limited to mainstream artists but serves as a platform bringing together veteran artists, young talents as young as three, as well as persons with disabilities (OKU), including individuals with autism and dyslexia.
Art Market Malaysia founder Hazrita Hatta, better known as Rita Hatta, said the exhibition emphasised inclusivity without discrimination by bringing together artists of various ethnic backgrounds under one platform.
The initiative was carried out in collaboration with various art associations and NGOs, including the Persatuan Pelukis Orang-Orang Cacat (PPOC) and Persatuan Kebajikan Orang Kurang Upaya Pembelajaran (PKUP).
“This exhibition brings society together through the language of art, while providing opportunities for artists with disabilities and emerging talents who previously did not have the opportunity to showcase their works to the public,” she said, expressing hope that all the artworks on display would be sold. — Bernama
