Afzal Shaafiu (Afu)
Artist Statement
My work is based on the idea of symbiotic and parasitic relationships between organic and inorganic, tangible and spiritual things. By observing nature, people, and also the relationship of the man-made and the natural environment, I imitate such occurrences and bridge these ideas together through abstraction.
In my current body of work, the paintings start with chance and spontaneity, much like a situation that I mindlessly created, that needs to be resolved. This requires accepting, reflecting and responding. The intentional balance of chaos and control that is achieved in a painting equates to finding clarity of individual thoughts within a chaotic mind that is being consciously observed in meditation, a practice that indirectly influence my work.
The mix of mediums, multiple transparent layers of paint, collision of colours and movement, push and pull, along with the play of positive and negative spaces create new forms; new forms that are only suggestive but not definite. These elements are only recognized through life experiences and familiarities. The ambiguous nature of the work welcomes different interpretations by its viewers. However, as the maker, the marks I make have symbolic associations to a past memory, a thought or aspirations that are yet to be achieved.
Artist Bio
Born in Male’, Maldives (1975), Afu has been a practicing artist since the age of 18. Trained in Graphic Design, he was a pivotal force in the advertising industry in his early career. Concurrently, he has also been making art and contributed immensely for the development of the art community in Maldives. In 2010 he shifted to focus entirely on fine art. Reflecting on social, political and environmental themes, his work has been exhibited in solo and group shows both locally and internationally, including Malaysia, China, India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Japan, Germany, Tanzania and in the UK. A number of his works are in the permanent collection of the National Art Gallery of Maldives. He received the Maldives National Award of Recognition for Visual Arts in 2014. Afu completed his Masters in Fine Arts at Bath Spa University (UK) in 2020. He is currently a resident artist at ‘EMERGE’ at Bath Spa University.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
MA Fine Art
Bath Spa University, UK, 2020
Diploma in Graphic Design and Multimedia, (Illustration major)
Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology, Malaysia, 1997 – 2000
OTHER TRAINING
Philately
Asian Pacific Postal College, Bangkok, 2004
Direct Marketing and Marketing Management
Asian Pacific Postal College, Bangkok, 2005
WORK EXPERIENCE
1990 – 1993
Feyli Design Services – designer / illustrator
1993 – 1997
Atelier Pte Ltd – partner / designer / painter
1994 – 2007
Maldives Post Limited – Postage Stamp Designer / Deputy Manager
2001 – 2010
Business Image Group (BIG) – Partner / Executive Creative Director Advertising Agency
2008 – 2011
Founder member of Atholhu – platform for artists. (NGO)
2008 – 2012
Member of National Postage Stamp Committee
2009 – 2014
Panel Member of Visual Arts Curriculum / EDC, Maldives.
Artist Statement
My work is based on the idea of symbiotic and parasitic relationships between organic and inorganic, tangible and spiritual things. By observing nature, people, and also the relationship of the man-made and the natural environment, I imitate such occurrences and bridge these ideas together through abstraction.
In my current body of work, the paintings start with chance and spontaneity, much like a situation that I mindlessly created, that needs to be resolved. This requires accepting, reflecting and responding. The intentional balance of chaos and control that is achieved in a painting equates to finding clarity of individual thoughts within a chaotic mind that is being consciously observed in meditation, a practice that indirectly influence my work.
The mix of mediums, multiple transparent layers of paint, collision of colours and movement, push and pull, along with the play of positive and negative spaces create new forms; new forms that are only suggestive but not definite. These elements are only recognized through life experiences and familiarities. The ambiguous nature of the work welcomes different interpretations by its viewers. However, as the maker, the marks I make have symbolic associations to a past memory, a thought or aspirations that are yet to be achieved.
Artist Bio
Born in Male’, Maldives (1975), Afu has been a practicing artist since the age of 18. Trained in Graphic Design, he was a pivotal force in the advertising industry in his early career. Concurrently, he has also been making art and contributed immensely for the development of the art community in Maldives. In 2010 he shifted to focus entirely on fine art. Reflecting on social, political and environmental themes, his work has been exhibited in solo and group shows both locally and internationally, including Malaysia, China, India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Japan, Germany, Tanzania and in the UK. A number of his works are in the permanent collection of the National Art Gallery of Maldives. He received the Maldives National Award of Recognition for Visual Arts in 2014. Afu completed his Masters in Fine Arts at Bath Spa University (UK) in 2020. He is currently a resident artist at ‘EMERGE’ at Bath Spa University.