In Ivy Thor’s drawing, two workers are laying out fish to dry in the open under the sun. This “fish craft” of the title is the world’s oldest traditional method of preserving seafood, and integral to the food cultures of Malaysia and the broader region. The scene is set in Pulau Betong, a fishing village in Balik Pulau, Penang. “Through this piece”, writes Ivy, “I honour the deep-rooted heritage of Malaysian cuisine and the enduring craftsmanship of its people.”

Another example of enduring craftsmanship seen here is the topi jerami, made from the “straw” of padi or other plant stalks, still worn by farmers and outdoor labourers throughout Southeast Asia. In fact, it is the fine detailing of the hats’ texture that focuses our attention on the scene. Judge Bibi Chew highlights the student’s particular skill in handling a bold combination of mediums to such great effect, when “charcoal and pencil are not kawan baik – charcoal is very dark, very strong, and pencil is very subtle”. The heat of the sun is vividly described in the natural light glancing off the edge of foliage in the background, the dense weave of the hats, the creases of the thick Western-style shirts worn for protection and even the weathered folds of the older man’s cheek.

There is a clear differentiation between the ages of the two men in this scene, but wrinkled or smooth-faced, and even with their eyes hidden under the rim of their topi, they clearly share the same look of concentration. This suggests a continuity of traditional work across generations, in the passing of time. Interestingly, a subtle shade of sepia is used around the edges of the paper, creating the effect of a worn photograph, and we are prompted to wonder, is this scene in the present or something remembered from the past?