Most Malaysian viewers, at least of older generations, will recognise the figure in this image from an old photo, which the artist chose “because it shows the vintage style of local men”. It presents the famous actor P. Ramlee in one of his signature poses on a motorbike.
The fine drawing and observational skill used in reinterpreting this image as an etching stood out for Chief Judge Juhari, and this fine handling, combined with the faintly visible screen of spiral shell pattern overlaying the image, expresses the attraction of “retro” styling and nostalgia for a younger generation of fans.
While the print itself is simply titled “The Actor”, the jaunty pun the artist gives to his entry submission, “Vintage Performers”, lends a humorous tone to this celebration of the history of male fashion and what it tells us about our changing society.