1)
Salam. My name is Dr hj Zakaria bin hj Abd Hamid. (Dr Zakaria Hamid for exhibition purposes), and I was born on 25.12.1955 (67yrs old). in my younger days my late father and four uncles used to influence me a lot in terms of water colour paintings. As Tutong in the 60s and 70s was still not very busy compared to today, we went to Pantai seri Kenangan to paint trees and the beach. We also did pencil sketches of the old shops and Nipah palm seen across the river. The blues, violets and greens during my watercolour days are still fresh in my mind until today.
2)
I went for further studies in the UK in 1974. I studied my A levels at East Devon college of Further Education in Tiverton, Devon. During my stay there, I did many sketches and watercolour paintings of plough fields, wheat harvest , cattle farms and its golden summer time. The college organised many trips to London to visit Art Galleries and concert halls. I was introduced to Rembrant, Michaelangelo, Leornado de vinci and other renaissance artists.being in contact with a different culture was a cultural shock at first but gradually i got used to it.
I went to art schools with different views of the world around me .First I went to Norwich School of Art, Norfolk, and did my first degree in fine Art. Then I went to study in London again at The Slade School of Fine Art (University of London). I did my MFA there( Master of Fine Art). London was the biggest influence in my artistic journey as there are many art galleries to visit anytime of the year and during summer vacation a visit to France was a must. There we can see fine examples of paintings by Claude Monet, Kandinsky and Van Goh to name a few of the great 20th century artists. Spain was also visited as it was the home of Picasso and his paintings.
3)
When I was an art teacher at several high schools, I used to paint after lunch until 5 pm. When I was teaching at UBD, my time changed from 5pm to 8.30pm. Now a retiree, I enjoy painting in the morning as everybody in the house either goes to school or work. So morning peace is the most fruitful for me now.
4)
In art you should never stop looking and studying other people's works. Art is a continuous life journey; an artist's soul. So young artists should strive to exhibit their works whenever possible to achieve progress. At one time or point in your artistic journey you will find your confidence and identity in your own works.
5)
When I sit in front of my blank canvas I just look at it and imagine how to put the white space into imagery divisions and what to put into the said divisions. Then application of several layers of acrylic colours are to set the mood. Then I draw lines on it and hopefully make some sense of the shapes it produces. With luck and given time to "mature," the painting will come out of its complicity with a series of suggestive themes/ stories and titles. I call it a magical moment and it makes me very happy indeed.
6)
I would like to see our society maintain its humility, caring for culture as well as our environment. Brunei is beautiful and with beautiful paintings we should be able to address all its shortcomings. Thank you.