Awang Damit Sold at Auction Prices

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  • AWANG DAMIT | New Payarama, Two Different Forms (Payarama Baru Dua Bentuk Berbeza), 2015
    Aug. 30, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT | New Payarama, Two Different Forms (Payarama Baru Dua Bentuk Berbeza), 2015

    Est: S$18,000 - S$25,000

    Oil on canvas: 169.5 x 169.5 cm Signed, titled and dated on the reverse

    Global Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Dalam Cahaya dan Bayang...”, 2017
    Aug. 16, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Dalam Cahaya dan Bayang...”, 2017

    Est: RM135,000 - RM220,000

    Awang Damit Ahmad’s Garis Mega “Dalam Cahaya dan Bayang...” is a compelling work from one of Malaysia’s most celebrated contemporary artists, exemplifying his mastery of abstraction and his deeply personal visual language. Executed in mixed media, the composition is an intricate interplay of layered textures, gestural marks, and atmospheric tones, where sweeping lines and organic forms emerge and recede between light and shadow. The title, which translates as “In Light and Shadow...”, alludes to the dualities of existence between presence and absence, revelation and concealment inviting viewers into a contemplative space where meaning unfolds through intuition rather than representation. The richly textured composition reflects his continual dialogue between chaos and order, materiality and spirituality, resulting in a work of remarkable depth and emotional resonance. Born in Sabah in 1956, Awang Damit Ahmad is internationally recognised for his expressive abstract paintings that draw inspiration from the landscapes, cultures, and lived experiences of Borneo. A recipient of numerous prestigious accolades, including the Major Award at the Bakat Muda Sezaman in 1990, he has represented Malaysia at major exhibitions and biennales worldwide. Throughout his career, Awang has developed a distinctive vocabulary of layered surfaces, gestural calligraphy, and symbolic motifs that transcend literal narrative while remaining deeply rooted in memory, identity, and place.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Payarama Baru “Ubi dan Raga...”,2015
    Aug. 16, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Payarama Baru “Ubi dan Raga...”,2015

    Est: RM95,000 - RM160,000

    Awang Damit Ahmad has developed an unmistakable visual language defined by expressive gestures, complex textures and evocative symbolism. His celebrated Payarama series continues to explore themes of memory, identity and the ever-changing relationship between humanity and the natural world. Payarama Baru “Ubi dan Raga...” painted in 2015, belongs to the artist’s mature Payarama Baru cycle, in which familiar motifs are reinterpreted through increasingly nuanced abstraction. The subtitle, Ubi dan Raga alludes to traditional symbols of sustenance, labour and rural life, yet these references are distilled into an atmospheric composition rather than rendered literally. Dominated by cool tones of blue, white, black and grey, the painting conveys a sense of quiet introspection, its layered surfaces and gestural brushwork suggesting fragments of memory emerging through time. Awang’s restrained palette heightens the emotional resonance of the work, balancing areas of luminous openness with passages of dense, energetic mark making.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Tribute...”, 2016
    Aug. 16, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Tribute...”, 2016

    Est: RM95,000 - RM180,000

    A major figure in Malaysian contemporary art, Sabah born abstract expressionist Awang Damit Ahmad is renowned for channeling raw emotion, agrarian heritage, and cultural memory into powerful visual metaphors. His mastery of textured abstraction is beautifully realized in his 2016 work, Garis Mega “Tribute...”, a piece that acts as a profound, reflective milestone in his celebrated artistic journey. Moving completely away from representational forms, Awang Damit employs thick, gestural impasto layers, bold calligraphic lines, and an earthy, dramatic palette to evoke the rugged landscapes and spiritual resilience of his homeland. Rather than depicting a literal scene, the canvas functions as a deeply personal homage, where the heavy, atmospheric layers and structured lines capture a sense of time, struggle, and enduring memory. By masterfully balancing explosive emotional energy with a structured, thoughtful composition, this work stands as a powerful and poetic meditation on human heritage, identity, and the passage of time.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Postcard To The World, 1981
    Aug. 16, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Postcard To The World, 1981

    Est: RM4,500 - RM7,000

    Created in 1981, Postcard to the World is one of Awang Damit Ahmad’s earliest and most significant print works, reflecting his engagement with humanitarian and socio-political issues before his celebrated abstract series. Inspired by the tragic bombing of Palestinian civilians in Beirut, the work serves as a powerful visual statement against the horrors of war and the suffering of innocent lives. Rather than a mere political commentary, the print is a universal call for compassion, peace, and shared humanity. Rarely encountered on the market, this early print offers an important glimpse into the formative years of one of Malaysia’s foremost contemporary artists.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Marista “Sketsa Series 9/97”, 1997
    Aug. 16, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Marista “Sketsa Series 9/97”, 1997

    Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000

    Awang Damit Ahmad’s Marista series reflects the artist’s exploration of memory, identity, and the landscapes of his childhood, expressed through his distinctive abstract visual language. Created during a pivotal period in his career, the series is renowned for its layered textures and emotive compositions. This Marista Sketsa Series from 1997 is dominated by black and greyish earthy tones, dramatically enlivened by expressive streaks of red. Through its rich surface and gestural brushwork, the work evokes a sense of memory and quiet intensity, exemplifying Awang’s mastery in transforming personal recollections into powerful abstract expression.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • Awang Damit Ahmad | Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), 1993
    Aug. 09, 2026

    Awang Damit Ahmad | Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), 1993

    Est: RM42,000 - RM65,000

    Without doubt, one of the oddest Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) works, sans the dreary dark hues of the 1980s (from 1985), with an understated beauty even, and with a much more structured veneer, this one stands out. It is as if a swathe of divine light, couched in silver and gold, has given Awang Damit Ahmad's encrusted skein a precious quality. What inspires this ecstasy, to stray from his usual duller palette of red, blue, yellow, brown and black? What makes this piece more precious: there is a scarecrow in this E.O.C. An extremely rare and good work. It shows that scarecrow subject / concept has been creeping in Awang Damit's mind subconsciously, until he releases it freely in his Garismega series. His E.O.C. tells about Man's struggles against, and affinity for, Nature, and the imperative of striking a balance, and in doing so, experiencing a new spiritual understanding about life. The E.O.C. alludes to the plants, fishes, implements and the fertile black soil of Kuala Penyu, an impoverished community of farmers and fishermen where Awang Damit hailed from. Clearly, more sophisticated, it stems from the new knowledge and exposures gained from his Masters studies at the Catholic University in Washington in 1990. The transition of Awang Damit Ahmad from fisherman-farmer to an artist-academician at the late age of 27 is one of the most phenomenal in Malaysian Art. After his studies at the Mara Institute of Technology, now a university, he received his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington. He taught at UiTM, and retired as Associate Professor at ITM in May 2011. His accolades include the Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman and 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition. On the international scene, he won the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. He catapulted into the elite when he was chosen to exhibit in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. In the July 2022 Henry Butcher Art Auction, Awang Damit's painting from the E.O.C. series realised RM 218,400. His works were on display at the Art Seasons booth (in collaboration with Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers) in the prestigious Art SG 2026, and received good feedback from visitors.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad | Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Hari Kelabu", 1993
    Aug. 09, 2026

    Awang Damit Ahmad | Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Hari Kelabu", 1993

    Est: RM75,000 - RM130,000

    There is nothing like the optimism of ordinary hardworking people making a living. Never mind money in short supply, never mind the vagaries of inclement weather. And who would have thought that a grey day could be so, so beautiful, and elegiac, as in Awang Damit Ahmad's canvas, Essence Of Culture (E.O.C) no less. A glimmer of red in faint short lines and little daubs off centre does add a spot of brightness, but it gets subsumed by the panoply of dominant darker hues of green, blue and more earthy concerns. If it looks structured, it is man's intervention with the land, not to change its character or course, but to enhance its bountiful potential in providing human sustenance. Nothing more satisfying than a day's work done. Tomorrow is just another day... a better day! The transition of Awang Damit Ahmad from fisherman-farmer to an artist-academician at the late age of 27 is one of the most phenomenal in Malaysian Art. After his studies at the Mara Institute of Technology, now a university, he received his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington. He taught at UiTM, and retired as Associate Professor at ITM in May 2011. His accolades include the Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman and 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition. On the international scene, he won the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. He catapulted into the elite when he was chosen to exhibit in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. In the July 2022 Henry Butcher Art Auction, Awang Damit's painting from the E.O.C. series realised RM 218,400. His works were on display at the Art Seasons booth (in collaboration with Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers) in the prestigious Art SG 2026, and received good feedback from visitors.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Tribute...”, 2016
    Jun. 28, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Tribute...”, 2016

    Est: RM110,000 - RM180,000

    A major figure in Malaysian contemporary art, Sabah born abstract expressionist Awang Damit Ahmad is renowned for channeling raw emotion, agrarian heritage, and cultural memory into powerful visual metaphors. His mastery of textured abstraction is beautifully realized in his 2016 work, Garis Mega “Tribute...”, a piece that acts as a profound, reflective milestone in his celebrated artistic journey. Moving completely away from representational forms, Awang Damit employs thick, gestural impasto layers, bold calligraphic lines, and an earthy, dramatic palette to evoke the rugged landscapes and spiritual resilience of his homeland. Rather than depicting a literal scene, the canvas functions as a deeply personal homage, where the heavy, atmospheric layers and structured lines capture a sense of time, struggle, and enduring memory. By masterfully balancing explosive emotional energy with a structured, thoughtful composition, this work stands as a powerful and poetic meditation on human heritage, identity, and the passage of time.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Aku Akan Terus Bertahan”, 2016
    Jun. 28, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Aku Akan Terus Bertahan”, 2016

    Est: RM110,000 - RM180,000

    A leading titan of Malaysian contemporary art, Sabah born master Awang Damit Ahmad is highly celebrated for his powerful, emotionally charged abstract expressionism rooted in personal memory, farming life, and social commentary. His signature ability to channel raw human resilience is masterfully captured in his 2016 work, Garis Mega “Aku Akan Terus Bertahan” (The Horizon Line “I Will Continue to Endure”), a piece from his critically acclaimed Garis Mega series. Moving entirely away from literal representation, Awang Damit utilizes heavy, rugged textures, bold gestural brushstrokes, and a dramatic, earthy colour palette punctuated by intense tonal contrasts. Rather than depicting a static landscape, the canvas becomes a battlefield of form and colour, where symbolic shapes and deep layers of paint represent the harsh realities of life and the unyielding strength required to overcome adversity. By balancing the spiritual depth of indigenous heritage with a fierce, international abstract language, the painting stands as a dynamic, deeply moving testament to the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of struggle.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Hanya Desir Angin...Biarkan”, 2018
    Jun. 28, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Hanya Desir Angin...Biarkan”, 2018

    Est: RM35,000 - RM68,000

    Garis Mega “Hanya Desir Angin... Biarkan”, is an explosive emotive piece from Awang Damit Ahmad’s celebrated Garis Mega series. Using a heavily textured, mixed media surface, aggressive gestural brushwork, and a dramatic, storm driven palette, Awang Damit creates a powerful sense of atmospheric tension. The subtitle translating to “Only the rustle of the wind... let it be” suggests a poignant acceptance of nature’s unpredictable forces and the inevitable passage of time. By balancing a fierce, instinctive painterly energy with a quiet, philosophical introspection, Garis Mega “Hanya Desir Angin... Biarkan” stands as a captivating visual meditation on human resilience, vulnerability, and the sublime power of the natural world.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Belatak Rapuh, 2010
    Jun. 28, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Belatak Rapuh, 2010

    Est: RM35,000 - RM68,000

    Widely regarded as a towering figure in Malaysian abstract expressionism, Sabah born master Awang Damit Ahmad is renowned for his raw, tactile canvases that interweave personal memories of rural life with profound commentary on human vulnerability. This intense, soul searching philosophy is brilliantly captured in his 2010 work, Belatak Rapuh, an evocative piece from his celebrated Payarama series. Foregoing literal representation, Awang Damit Ahmad builds a heavily encrusted, weathered topography using thick mixed media layers, aggressive gestural strokes, and a gritty, earth driven palette that mirrors the fragile state of traditional agrarian communities. The title, evoking a brittle or fragile harvesting basket, serves as a poetic metaphor for the slow erosion of indigenous heritage under the weight of modern progress. By balancing a fierce, instinctive painterly energy with deep cultural nostalgia, Belatak Rapuh stands as a powerful testament to Awang Damit Ahmad’s ability to turn elemental, abstract forms into a universal meditation on resilience and decay.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • Awang Damit Ahmad - Estetika "Jambatan Waktu", 2020
    Apr. 26, 2026

    Awang Damit Ahmad - Estetika "Jambatan Waktu", 2020

    Est: RM65,000 - RM100,000

    Even for farmers and fishermen, working amidst natural surroundings could make them forget of the beauty and bounty around them. Estetika Timur series marks a time bridge of a greater balance and structure derived from the inner senses and personal experiences. Since the beginning of his artistic practice, Awang Damit's canvases have evolved around themes of nature, human values, and the reflection of memory. The artist's lived experiences are distilled into refined, elegant gestures that intersect with lyrical patterns unfolding across the canvas. Movement is evoked through expressive shapes and rich textures, suggesting an inherent connection to the natural world. The transition of Awang Damit Ahmad from fisherman-farmer to an artist-academician at the late age of 27 is one of the most phenomenal in Malaysian art. After his studies at the Mara Institute of Technology, now a university, he received his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington. He taught at UiTM, and retired as Associate Professor at ITM in May 2011. His accolades include the Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in the  Bakat Muda Sezaman and 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition. On the international scene, he won the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. He catapulted into the elite when he was chosen to exhibit in the  Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. His works were on display at the Art Seasons booth (in collaboration with Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers) in the prestigious Art SG 2026, and received good feedback from visitors. In the January 2026 Henry Butcher Art Auction, Awang Damit's painting from the Estetika series of the same size realised RM 95,200.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad - Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Pun-Pun", 1988
    Apr. 26, 2026

    Awang Damit Ahmad - Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Pun-Pun", 1988

    Est: RM80,000 - RM130,000

    This early work is a rare masterpiece of absolute quality. The pun-pun is more than just a bait. It inherently forces a reaction, of hunger and want, often with disastrous consequences. It is an entrapment using a small enticing sacrifice. Such is the nature of the imperiled world today, and life. This is just a small part of the ecosystem of the Essence Of Culture (E.O.C., Intipati Budaya) that Awang Damit Ahmad posited in 1985, one tied to the hard struggles of fishermen and farmers in Kuala Penyu, Sabah, in making ends meet. The series saw fruition at Shenn's Fine Art in Singapore in 1994, but went almost unheralded until two decades later, when success in his Payarama series zoomed to a playback of his incipient E.O.C. series. Man is shown battling the vagaries of weather and want, with the alacrity of Cest la Vie. Nostalgia, romance, strife and valour, the series ran until 1995. The transition of Awang Damit Ahmad from fisherman-farmer to an artist-academician at the late age of 27 is one of the most phenomenal in Malaysian art. After his studies at the Mara Institute of Technology, now a university, he received his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington. He taught at UiTM, and retired as Associate Professor at ITM in May 2011. His accolades include the Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman and 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition. On the international scene, he won the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. He catapulted into the elite when he was chosen to exhibit in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. In the July 2022 Henry Butcher Art Auction, Awang Damit's painting from the E.O.C. series realised RM 218,400. His works were on display at the Art Seasons booth (in collaboration with Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers) in the prestigious Art SG 2026, and received good feedback from visitors.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad - Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Sea Harvest", 1993
    Apr. 26, 2026

    Awang Damit Ahmad - Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Sea Harvest", 1993

    Est: RM58,000 - RM88,000

    In Awang Damit Ahmad's 'opaquely' encrusted Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) (Intipati Budaya) palette of tawny brown and spring green, Sea Harvest combines the resources of land and water. Centipedes known as pun-pun are a source of baits for fishing either in the river or on the remote beach front of Kuala Penyu in Sabah. They can be found in damp areas like muddy estuaries but can turn pesky, though they feed on insects and roaches. As some centipedes are venomous, they are probably killed before being strung onto the hook, but is the caught fish which devour the centipede which has venom, safe? Should be, what with its preys like shrews, toads, badgers and birds, even chickens, none the worst from eating them. The seminal E.O.C., which spanned 1985 to 1995, is Awang Damit's tome of the eternal struggle of Man and Nature, for nourishment and survival. Awang Damit Ahmad is a phenomenon, a late starter in art who ascended to prominence with his earthy E.O.C. series. From farmer / fisherman to a Telekom technician, he studied Art at a relatively late age of 27, and then became an artist and art academician, at the Mara Institute of Technology. He followed up with his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington, and taught at his alma mater before retiring as Associate Professor at ITM in May 2011. His accolades included the prestigious Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in Bakat Muda Sezaman, 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition, and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. His first major overseas exhibition was in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. His works were on display at the Art Seasons booth (in collaboration with Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers) in the prestigious Art SG 2026, and received good feedback from visitors. In the July 2022 Henry Butcher Art Auction, Awang Damit's painting from the E.O.C. series realised RM 218,400.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Iraga Belatak Rapuh II, 2007
    Apr. 19, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Iraga Belatak Rapuh II, 2007

    Est: RM120,000 - RM180,000

    Awang Damit Ahmadn - Iraga Belatak Rapuh II It takes you by surprise, this painting. Either that, or you will be stunned with bewilderment. This piece by Awang Damit Ahmad is heavy with emotion. One can tell that it is a very emotional painting, an angry one at that. The harsh brush strokes, the bold and livid colours seem to interest the viewers from the first look. As an artist who finds inspirations from his childhood memories and reminiscing of the past, these may have transformed a bad memory, an angry memory into a painting on a canvas. In its entirety, this piece speaks of unsettlement, conflict or a certain kind of antagonism. The whites could represent innocence, and it is slowly tarnished by the harsh black, grey and orange, incessantly ruining the spotlessness of the whites.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Payarama Series - After Harvest, 2013
    Apr. 19, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Payarama Series - After Harvest, 2013

    Est: RM85,000 - RM100,000

    After Harvest from the Payarama series by Awang Damit Ahmad, is a compelling example of the artist’s highly sought after abstract language rooted in memory and place. Drawing from his formative years in Sabah, the work captures the residual energy of the land following cultivation imbued with both intensity and quiet reflection. Distinguished by its richly layered surface, the composition reveals Awang Damit’s signature gestural dynamism, with sweeping textures, cascading drips, and a nuanced interplay of earthy hues heightened by striking accents of blue and orange. This tactile depth and painterly confidence lend the work a powerful visual presence, making it both immersive and evocative. Works from the Payarama series are widely regarded as among the artist’s most important contributions, marking a mature period in his practice where personal history and abstraction converge with exceptional clarity. After Harvest stands as a strong and collectible piece, embodying the expressive force and cultural resonance that define Awang Damit Ahmad’s enduring appeal in the Southeast Asian art market.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega - Terus Menyala, 2019
    Apr. 19, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega - Terus Menyala, 2019

    Est: RM65,000 - RM90,000

    Even without discovering the meaning and message behind Awang Damit, one is able to tell that this is a highly emotional piece, much like the rest of his works. That is what makes his paintings appealing in the first place, combined with the rare gift of artistry. Those familiar with his works know that his works are always, always heavy with emotion, as if they carry the burden on one’s shoulders in canvas form. Born and brought up in Kuala Penyu, Sabah, Awang Damit spent most of his teen years learning painting from various artists whilst traveling around the state. He initially came to Selangor to work as a technician for Telekom Malaysia, but found that art was something he truly was passionate about. He eventually left the telecommunications company, and took his Diploma in Fine Arts in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Masters Degree in the United States.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Akhir Mega 7”, 2019
    Jan. 25, 2026

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Garis Mega “Akhir Mega 7”, 2019

    Est: RM40,000 - RM75,000

    Awang Damit Ahmad is known for his expressive abstraction, characterised by bold linear structures and heavily worked surfaces. In this Garis Mega”Akhir Mega 7” 2019 work, the artist explores the dynamic tension between line, gesture and texture, drawing on both intuitive mark making and disciplined compositional control. Dense, gestural strokes in white, blue, black and punctuations of red and ochre intersect across the canvas, creating a powerful sense of movement and spatial depth. The vigorous application of paint underscores the physicality of the medium, while the recurring emphasis on line anchors the composition. A strong example from an established series, this Akhir Mega 7 piece reflects the artist’s sustained engagement with abstraction as an emotive and material driven practice, offering collectors a compelling work from a key phase of his contemporary output.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Estetika "Dari Luar Jendela", 2020
    Jan. 18, 2026

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Estetika "Dari Luar Jendela", 2020

    Est: RM65,000 - RM100,000

    The Estetika Timur series encapsulates rhythmic, symbolic forms, and colours drawn from the archipelago, with reference to the west coast of Sabah and the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Painted in 2020, this work stands as a captivating early example of the series, rooted in personal memory and articulated through the artist's assured command of technique. The detailed composition unfolds through distinctive forms that are lyrical, suffused with light, and animated by a sense of movement. Through a harmonious concentration of forms, lines, and colour, the work draws the viewer into a serene landscape defined by beauty and remembrance. On the right, powerful forms curving with confident energy and expressive vitality, are seamlessly fused with the intricate embellishment on the left. Their elegant forms, painted in rich colours, evoke flourishing tendrils that extends outward in a fluid motion, reinforcing the work's dynamic visual rhythm. For one who graduated in Fine Art at the age of 27, Awang Damit Ahmad is a natural. Topping his studies at the Mara Institute of Technology and then at Catholic University. Most brilliant was his clutch of prestigious awards: Major Award in Salon Malaysia III and also a Consolation Prize (1991), the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman (1984), 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition (1988), and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. As an academician, he retired at the University ITM as Associate Professor in May 2011 after first teaching in 1985. His prices in local and foreign art auction houses have been soaring consistently. Reference Awang Damit Ahmad, Estetika Timur 2021-2023, Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers, 2024.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Piai Dan Rumbia II", 1993
    Jan. 18, 2026

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Piai Dan Rumbia II", 1993

    Est: RM65,000 - RM120,000

    The ruddy streaks of outlandish red at the top centre break the drab, dreary topography of grey, brown and dull green typical of Awang Damit Ahmad's incipient E.O.C. (Essence Of Culture) series chronicling the travails of life in the farms and in the choppy seas. While the rumbia (sago) affords basic sustenance in rural Kuala Penyu, the daily small mercies belie a tough existence. More than nostalgia, the E.O.C. series is an affirmation of the toughness and obstacles of life. The piai, a large mangrove fern with its roots entrenched on the banks, helps stem erosion. The veneer of scar-like crustiness exude a tactility of environs and spirit. This comes near the tail-end of Awang Damit's E.O.C. survival saga, which ended in 1995. Awang Damit Ahmad's first major international exhibition was the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. He studied for his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington in 1990. A relative late starter in art at the age of 27, he studied Art at Universiti ITM and later taught there until his retirement as Associate Professor in 2011. His potential was seen when he won the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman in 1984, but it was in 1991 that he won the coveted Painting Award (and Consolation Prize) in the Salon Malaysia III competition at the National Art Gallery in 1991. In 2012, he won the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London. His prices have been soaring high at the auction houses locally and abroad.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Kemanisan Ilusi III (Sweet Illusion III) (Pre-Essence Of Culture, E.O.C.), 1984
    Nov. 09, 2025

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Kemanisan Ilusi III (Sweet Illusion III) (Pre-Essence Of Culture, E.O.C.), 1984

    Est: RM60,000 - RM90,000

    This must be one of the most unusual saccharine works by Awang Damit Ahmad, yes, the creator of the iconic series Essence Of Culture (E.O.C., Intipati Budaya), his autobiographical foray with its origins in an obscure fishing village in Sabah, Kuala Penyu. It was done after graduating from the Mara Institute of Technology where he was adjudged Best Student in 1983. With brush and spray painting, he conjured a spectacle of dusk with crimson hues and bluish dark environs, showing an adroit handling of colours and composition. This work was shown in the National Art Gallery's Open exhibition in 1985. As Forrest Gump would say: Life is like a box of chocolate. The farmer who became a Telekom technician and an artist and academician and showing his works all over the world. Topping his studies at the Mara Institute of Technology and then at Catholic University. Most brilliant was his clutch of prestigious awards: Major Award in Salon Malaysia III and also a Consolation Prize (1991), the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman (1984), 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition (1988), and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. As an academician, he retired at the University ITM as Associate Professor in May 2011 after first teaching in 1985. His prices in local and foreign art auction houses have been soaring consistently. His works will be showcased in Art Singapore 2026.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : E.O.C. Series, 1993
    Nov. 02, 2025

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : E.O.C. Series, 1993

    Est: RM30,000 - RM55,000

    Awang Damit Ahmad’s Essence of Culture (EOC) series is one of the most important milestones in Malaysian contemporary art, embodying his deep engagement with heritage, memory and identity. Inspired by his rural upbringing in Sabah, the series translates fragments of village life—such as woven mats, paddy fields, sago leaves and traditional rituals into powerful abstractions. Using bold brushstrokes, textured surfaces and earthy palettes, Awang Damit captures both the beauty and struggle of everyday life. The works are rich with symbolism, layering personal memory with universal themes of resilience and community. Through the EOC series, he created a distinctive visual language that bridges the raw energy of abstraction with the soul of cultural history.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Rumbia dan Orang-Orangan I (Sago And People), 1992
    Nov. 02, 2025

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Rumbia dan Orang-Orangan I (Sago And People), 1992

    Est: RM110,000 - RM150,000

    Awang Damit Ahmad’s EOC Series: Rumbia dan Orang-Orangan I (Sago and People), 1992, is a powerful example of his deep connection to the rural landscapes and traditions of Sabah, where he grew up. Part of his celebrated Essence of Culture (EOC) series, the work translates memory and heritage into abstract forms, where bold brushstrokes, textured surfaces and earthy tones convey both energy and nostalgia. The motifs suggest woven sago leaves, scarecrows and fragments of village life, layered with raw immediacy that speaks of struggle, survival and community. Awang Damit’s abstraction is never detached; it is rooted in lived experience, transforming everyday materials and memories into a symbolic visual language. In this piece, heritage becomes both personal and universal, an ode to the resilience of rural culture in the face of modernity.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), 1989
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), 1989

    Est: RM50,000 - RM90,000

    Forty years already? From the nostalgic tinges of Ingatan Waktu Kecil (Childhood Memory) in 1985, Awang Damit Ahmad unleashed his seminal Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), or Intipati Budaya series which ran for a decade until 1995/1996. EOC became Awang's most iconic visual feast of the challenges and affinity between Man and Nature, the daily ritual of struggles on land as a farmer and in the sea as a fisherman, bitter-sweet reminisces of his growing-up years in impoverished Kuala Penyu in Sabah. All recollected in the mist of memory. In this work four years into its evolution, blue geometric shapes overwhelm a topography of dull grey and organic shapes, with doorway poles of red and a semi-circular carapace on top. The dash of brighter colours is a sea-change from the more dour veneer of brownish mud-flats and greenery. Was this work done during his Masters study at the Catholic University in Washington? For one who graduated in Fine Art at the relative late age of 27, Awang Damit Ahmad is a natural. Topping his studies at the Mara Institute of Technology and then at Catholic University. Most brilliant was his clutch of prestigious awards: Major Award in Salon Malaysia III and also a Consolation Prize (1991), the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman (1984), 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition (1988), and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. As an academician, he retired at the University ITM as Associate Professor in May 2011 after first teaching in 1985. His prices in local and foreign art auction houses have been soaring consistently.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Arca Merah, 2024
    Jun. 14, 2025

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Arca Merah, 2024

    Est: RM65,000 - RM100,000

    Arca Merah stands as a compelling testament to Awang Damit Ahmad’s enduring exploration of cultural identity through abstract expressionism. As a prominent figure in Malaysia’s second wave of abstract artists, Awang Damit’s works are deeply rooted in his personal experiences and the socio-cultural landscapes of his homeland. In this piece, the artist employs a rich tapestry of textures and forms, utilizing mixed media to evoke the essence of traditional Malay culture. The composition reflects his ongoing Essence of Culture series, where he translates memories of rural life and communal values into abstract visual narratives. The title, Arca Merah (Red Sculpture), suggests a symbolic representation of heritage and resilience. The dominant red hues may allude to the vitality and passion inherent in cultural traditions, while the structural elements hint at the architectural motifs prevalent in Malay vernacular design. Awang Damit’s educational background, including his Master’s degree from the Catholic University of America, and his tenure as a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA, have significantly influenced his artistic approach, blending Western abstract techniques with Eastern philosophical concepts. Arca Merah encapsulates the artist’s commitment to preserving and interpreting cultural narratives through contemporary art forms. Its intricate layering and emotive palette invite viewers to engage with the complexities of identity, memory, and tradition.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Iraga, 2006
    Apr. 20, 2025

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Iraga, 2006

    Est: RM40,000 - RM65,000

    The winds blowing from China and Japan to the northern part of Borneo are neither cold nor chilly. They are hot, sweltering and even the sea surface water is hot. What fish would brave to swim in the upper regions this February and March, the cruellest months? "Over the South China Sea, the monsoons are generated by the low-pressure troughs in the intertropical convergence one which moves North or South following the sun through the seas." Reference: www.travelcentre.com Awang Damit Ahmad, who grew up experiencing all the hardships of an inclement weather in Kuala Penyu in Sabah before he becomes a famous artist, captures this episode of life of farmer and fisherman in his series, Iraga, roughly from 2003 to 2011. Iraga, in the Bruneian Malay language, means 'North Easterly'. Dry, desiccated land, starved of water and parched from the hot winds. Great expanse of white like blisters on farmland. The fishermen, out at sea, sweating profusely from the coarse long-sleeved clothings he have to keep on, to shield from the 'chill' and yet to prevent sun-burnt. A relatively late starter in art, at the age of 27, Awang Damit studied for his BFA at the Universiti ITM, winning the Best Student Award in 1983. He was selected for the major Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena, Los Angeles, in 1988, with all the Who's Who in Malaysian Art. In 1988, he won the 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition. He obtained his Master's in Fine Art at the Catholic University in Washington, USA, 1989-1990. He won Malaysia's biggest art prize, the 1st Prize in the Salon Malaysia III organised by the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, for his work, Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in Petronas Collection).

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) - Piai Dan Rumbia, 1994
    Apr. 20, 2025

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) - Piai Dan Rumbia, 1994

    Est: RM42,000 - RM65,000

    In E.O.C. Piai Dan Rumbia, Awang Damit reconfigures an assemblage of forms derived from nature such as the sago tree, presenting a visual memoir of the recollections in his life. His work touches on remembrance of things past, and memories rooted in the daily lives of farmers and fishermen. Ooi Kok Chuen notes that "In this miasma of memory, this pall of intervening time, is re-created the essence of the localness of a time and place in self, of tamarind-scented images of things natural and man-made, yet existing in a symbiotic whole." In this series, the key message: mankind overcome challenges and hardship, making an honest living. Awang Damit Ahmad is credited to have started one of the most compelling new abstracts related to land, region, purpose and people. A relatively late starter in art at the age of 27, he first studied at the Mara Institute of Technology, where he was Best Student, before getting his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington, USA (1989-1990). He catapulted into top-artist status when he not only won the 1st Prize but also the Consolation Prize in the hugely coveted Salon Malaysia III at the National Art Gallery. It was for his Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in the Petronas collection). He also won 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition in 1988. His international exhibitions include the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena, Los Angeles, in 1988. He also excelled as lecturer at Universiti ITM until May 2011, when he retired to go full time into Art. Prices of his artworks often soar high in auction houses locally and abroad. His solo exhibitions include Garismega New Journey, Art Stage Singapore 2017, Special Tribute: Awang Damit Ahmad, Art Expo Malaysia 2017. His latest solo, Estetika Timur - Rentas Sempadan (co-organised by Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers) was held at Art Seasons, Singapore in November 2024.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) - Rumbia Dan Ilalau, 1992
    Apr. 20, 2025

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) - Rumbia Dan Ilalau, 1992

    Est: RM88,000 - RM150,000

    The odd conjunction of the rumbia, a sago palm, and the irritably thorny ilalau makes an allegory of life with its blessings and travails. Rumbia represents life's sustenance, a staple food rich in carbohydrates taking some 8 to 15 years to mature, indicating a tedious process of industry, while ilalau is prickly sharp and hamper movement if stuck on clothes. Rumbia can be grown on non-arable land. Life, where Awang Damit Ahmad came from, in a small fishing village and farming community called Kuala Penyu, is tough but stoically bearable. So here, ilalau represents the harsh challenges of weather and land. The composition is infused with a lot of ash grey, but there seems to be a pesta or festival going on with red and blue flotsams on the bottom, with the middle core sprouting with triangular shapes and organic circles. This painting is from Awang Damit Ahmad's seminal series, Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) or Intipati Budaya, which had a mesmerising spell between 1985 to 1995. Awang Damit Ahmad has made a quantum leap from a late-starter at 27 to one of Malaysia's successful artists today. The E.O.C., a heart-aching tale of farmers and fishermen and the struggle between Man and Nature, was first shown in Shenn Gallery in Singapore in 1994. He first got noticed when he was selected among the country's elite artists in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition in Pasadena, the United States, in 1988. His career got a big fillip when he won the Major Award and also a Consolation Award in Salon Malaysia III in 1991. This came on the back of the 1984 Bakat Muda Sezaman, 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition (1988), the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. Awang Damit graduated with a Masters at the Catholic University in Washington, United States, in 1990. He was also a senior academician, retiring from the Universiti ITM in May 2011 as Associate Professor.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Iraga Jejak Waktu (Siri II), 2010
    Mar. 23, 2025

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Iraga Jejak Waktu (Siri II), 2010

    Est: RM45,000 - RM75,000

    Iraga Jejak Waktu (Siri II), created by Malaysian artist Awang Damit Ahmad in 2010, is a captivating exploration of time and memory. This artwork employs a unique blend of abstract forms and vibrant colours, inviting viewers to reflect on the passage of time and its impact on identity. Awang Damit’s use of layered textures and intricate patterns creates a dynamic visual experience, where each element seems to resonate with the echoes of the past. The piece embodies a sense of continuity and change, reflecting the artist’s deep connection to his cultural heritage and the natural world.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT | Cloud Lines - Figures in Blue (Garis Mega - Orangan Dalam Biru), 2018
    Dec. 17, 2024

    AWANG DAMIT | Cloud Lines - Figures in Blue (Garis Mega - Orangan Dalam Biru), 2018

    Est: S$10,000 - S$13,000

    Mixed media on canvas: 91 x 91 cm Signed, titled and dated on the reverse This lot is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity from Art Door Gallery

    Global Auction
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Rumbia Dan Orang-Orangan (Sago And People), Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) Series, 1992
    Dec. 08, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Rumbia Dan Orang-Orangan (Sago And People), Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) Series, 1992

    Est: RM85,000 - RM140,000

    In lesser economically sustaining rural areas and in the earlier years, rumbia (sago) was a cheaper substitute to rice, what more to think of superfood like quinoa. Sago extracted from tropical palms like Metroxylon sagu is rich in carbs and less nutritious, but it keeps the hunger pangs away especially for the farmers and fishermen though in recent years, sago is marketed as sago pearls in the trending bubble tea, while it is still popular in making all sorts of pudding desserts. The better varieties of rice are reserved for sale for better income, while sago is sometimes used as a staple daily diet. The painting shows the lesser hierarchy of sago in the food chain, although it is possibly the main food staple on the table for the family in East Malaysia where Awang Damit Ahmad originated. Thus, it was an anatomy of hardship in Awang Damit's growing-up years in the poverty-stricken village of Kuala Penyu in Sabah, although perversely it was something the farmers and fishermen were grateful to, for providing nourishment substitute. Whatever the risks and toil taken on the fields and in harvesting marine life from the sea, it is the middle-man who reaps the real profits. It took a long time before collectors caught on to Awang Damit Ahmad's highly symbolic autobiographical works starting with his Essence Of Culture series (E.O.C. or Intipati Budaya, 1985-1995), on the interdependence and conflicts between Man and Nature. The key message from the E.O.C. series is to overcome challenges, work hard and make an honest living. How he transitioned from farmer / fisherman and a Telekom technician, to take up art at a relatively late age of 27, and then became an artist and art academician. His tutelage at the Mara Institute of Technology, where he topped his class, and his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington, and retiring as Associate Professor at ITM in May 2011. His accolades: the prestigious Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman (1984) and 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition (1988), and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. He was in the elite Malaysian delegation in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. Today, Awang Damit is among the top 3 living artists in Malaysia.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Sketsa: Gubang Bigul (E.O.C.), 1992
    Dec. 08, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Sketsa: Gubang Bigul (E.O.C.), 1992

    Est: RM8,000 - RM14,000

    Lyrical motifs and poetic colour harmonies derived from nature are condensed to form an exquisite composition. This work features the elements of Awang Damit Ahmad's rudimentary Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) series albeit with his strong symbolisms. Awang Damit Ahmad is credited to have started one of the most compelling new abstracts related to land, region, purpose and people. A relatively late starter in art at the age of 27, he first studied at the Mara Institute of Technology, where he was Best Student, before getting his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington (1989-1990). He catapulted into top-artist status when he not only won the 1st Prize but also the Consolation Prize in the hugely coveted Salon Malaysia III at the National Art Gallery. It was for his Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in the Petronas collection). He also won 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition in 1988. His international exhibitions include the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena, Los Angeles, in 1988. He also excelled as lecturer at Universiti ITM until May 2011, when he retired to go full time into Art. Prices of his artworks often soar high in auction houses locally and abroad.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Landasan, 1984
    Dec. 08, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Landasan, 1984

    Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000

    In Landasan, a railway track is embedded in the countryside, implying man's alteration of the natural world. The railway connects people and places, including families from different states; it is a line that strengthens relationships, and a pathway of opportunities for work. The journey by railway allows passengers to take in the sights and sounds of the vast countryside. Scenic views of the agricultural lands, jungles, and palm oil terrains are unravelled during the journey. Awang Damit Ahmad is credited to have started one of the most compelling new abstracts related to land, purpose and people. A relatively late starter in art at the age of 27, he first studied at the Mara Institute of Technology, where he was Best Student, before getting his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington DC (1989-1990). He catapulted into top-artist status when he not only won the 1st Prize but also the Consolation Prize in the hugely coveted Salon Malaysia III at the National Art Gallery. It was for his Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in the Petronas collection). He also won 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition in 1988. His international exhibitions include the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena, Los Angeles, in 1988. He also excelled as lecturer at Universiti ITM until May 2011, when he retired to go full time into Art. Prices of his artworks often soar high in auction houses locally and abroad. His solo presentation From Payarama to Garismega: 2013-2020 was co-organized by Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers (HBAA) and Galeri Prima. His latest solo Eastern Aesthetics: Cross Border (co-organised by HBAA) is held at Art Seasons, Singapore.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Iraga Jejak Waktu (Siri II), 2010
    Oct. 27, 2024

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Iraga Jejak Waktu (Siri II), 2010

    Est: RM45,000 - RM75,000

    Iraga Jejak Waktu (Siri II), created by Malaysian artist Awang Damit Ahmad in 2010, is a captivating exploration of time and memory. This artwork employs a unique blend of abstract forms and vibrant colors, inviting viewers to reflect on the passage of time and its impact on identity. Awang Damit’s use of layered textures and intricate patterns creates a dynamic visual experience, where each element seems to resonate with the echoes of the past. The piece embodies a sense of continuity and change, reflecting the artist’s deep connection to his cultural heritage and the natural world.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Angin Musim Kemarau (E.O.C. Series), 1994
    Aug. 25, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Angin Musim Kemarau (E.O.C. Series), 1994

    Est: RM120,000 - RM200,000

    Everything all around becomes parched, desiccated, shrivelled while the soil is starved of moisture and nutrients. The dryness can also cause wildfires, dust storms and is a bane to the health of man and animals. This lack of atmospheric circulation is a farmer's dread, for without the elixir water, all the earlier efforts will come to zilch. There will be little harvest but thorns from this hydrometeorological spell. Such tenuous harmony between Man and Nature lies at the crux of Awang Damit Ahmad's maiden Essence Of Culture (E.O.C., Intipati Budaya) repertoire, with his own brand of symbolisms related to land and life. But it's not all dour lament, but stoic struggles to overcome the obstacles from a wellspring of Hope and Faith. E.O.C. dates between 1985 to 1995. Awang Damit Ahmad became an artist by accident, being a late starter at the age of 27, when he studied at the Mara Institute of Technology, after working several other jobs. He had already started on his Essence Of Culture (Intipati Budaya) series in 1985 and later studied for his Master's at the Catholic University in Washington, and continued the series on his return in 1990 until 1996. His clutch of prizes includes 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman in 1984, and the Painting Award (and Consolation Prize, too) at the Salon Malaysia III at the National Art Gallery in 1991 for his Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in Petronas Collection). He also taught at his alma mater, Universiti ITM, retiring as Associate Professor in May 2011. In 2022, his E.O.C. (Perjalanan Malam, 1989) and E.O.C. (Ingatan Waktu Kecil, 1985) were sold for RM212,800 and RM218,400, in the Henry Butcher Art Auction November edition and July edition, respectively. In the Henry Butcher March 2021 Art Auction, his E.O.C. (Apa Khabar Ledang, 1992) was sold for RM224,000. Today, Awang Damit Ahmad is one of the most important artists in Malaysia.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Intipati "Pilatung", 1997
    Aug. 25, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Intipati "Pilatung", 1997

    Est: RM4,000 - RM8,000

    Awang Damit's abstraction created with gestural brushstrokes and earth brown hues evokes the feeling of nature. Awang Damit Ahmad became an artist by accident, being a late starter at the age of 27, when he studied at the Mara Institute of Technology, after working several other jobs. He had already started on his Essence Of Culture (Intipati Budaya) series in 1985 and later studied for his Master's at the Catholic University in Washington, and continued the series on his return in 1990 until 1996. His clutch of prizes includes 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman in 1984, and the Painting Award (and Consolation Prize, too) at the Salon Malaysia III at the National Art Gallery in 1991 for his Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in Petronas Collection). He also taught at his alma mater, Universiti ITM, retiring as Associate Professor in May 2011. In 2022, his E.O.C. (Perjalanan Malam, 1989) and E.O.C. (Ingatan Waktu Kecil, 1985) were sold for RM212,800 and RM218,400, in the Henry Butcher Art Auction November edition and July edition, respectively. In the Henry Butcher March 2021 Art Auction, his E.O.C. (Apa Khabar Ledang, 1992) was sold for RM224,000.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), 1994
    Aug. 25, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), 1994

    Est: RM6,000 - RM10,000

    This work is an exquisite study from Awang Damit's iconic series, Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), representing his world view about Man and Nature. It drew upon his experiences and memories of his hometown, translated into a process pertaining to the division of space through the interception of forms. Illustrated here are the complex abstraction of lyrical patterns interlocked in poetic movement. The distinctive shapes rendered in light and dark tones are derived from his thoughts, reflections, and observations. It is about overcoming challenges in life, making an honest living. Awang Damit Ahmad became an artist by accident, being a late starter at the age of 27, when he studied at the Mara Institute of Technology, after working several other jobs. He had already started on his Essence Of Culture (Intipati Budaya) series in 1985 and later studied for his Master's at the Catholic University in Washington, and continued the series on his return in 1990 until 1996. His clutch of prizes includes 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman in 1984, and the Painting Award (and Consolation Prize, too) at the Salon Malaysia III at the National Art Gallery in 1991 for his Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in Petronas Collection). He also taught at his alma mater, Universiti ITM, retiring as Associate Professor in May 2011. In 2022, his E.O.C. (Perjalanan Malam, 1989) and E.O.C. (Ingatan Waktu Kecil, 1985) were sold for RM212,800 and RM218,400, in the Henry Butcher Art Auction November edition and July edition, respectively. In the Henry Butcher March 2021 Art Auction, his E.O.C. (Apa Khabar Ledang, 1992) was sold for RM224,000.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.)Perjalanan Malam..., 1990
    Aug. 25, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.)Perjalanan Malam..., 1990

    Est: RM7,000 - RM12,000

    It's not that common to find paper works of Awang Damit Ahmad which could be studies or projections of his larger main canvases with impasto drivels and more refined and defined compositions. This work features the elements of Awang Damit Ahmad's rudimentary Essence Of Culture series albeit with his strong symbolisms. Awang Damit Ahmad is credited to have started one of the most compelling new abstracts related to land, region, purpose and people. A relatively late starter in art at the age of 27, he first studied at the Mara Institute of Technology, where he was Best Student, before getting his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington (1989-1990). He catapulted into top-artist status when he not only won the 1st Prize but also the Consolation Prize in the hugely coveted Salon Malaysia III at the National Art Gallery. It was for his Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in the Petronas collection). He also won 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition in 1988. His international exhibitions include the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena, Los Angeles, in 1988. He also excelled as lecturer at Universiti ITM until May 2011, when he retired to go full time into Art. Prices of his artworks often soar high in auction houses locally and abroad.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Perjalanan Waktu - 90/10", 1990
    Aug. 25, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Perjalanan Waktu - 90/10", 1990

    Est: RM90,000 - RM160,000

    Life is a struggle - that is the biggest takeaway from Awang Damit Ahmad's seminal Essence Of Culture and purportedly subsequent series, too. Awang Damit Ahmad spent the early years helping his fisherman-farmer father in Kuala Penyu in Sabah, overcoming adversities and the vagaries of weather. Fishes and growing vegetables in traditional motifs, banana fronds for shelter: all encapsulated in symbolic homilies of inculcating right values and spirit of life, to fortify for future challenges. The numerals, 90/10, indicates the 10th piece done in the year 1990. The saga of Awang Damit Ahmad from fisherman-farmer to Telekoms technician to taking up Art at age 27 is a fairy-tale of grit, determination and natural talent. After studies at the Mara Institute of Technology, emerging as a Top Student, he studied up to his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington, and returning to teach at UiTM until his retirement with the rank of Associate Professor in May 2011. His huge potential was attested by the string of awards: the Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman (1984), 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition (1988), and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. He first represented Malaysia in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. In 2022, his E.O.C. (Perjalanan Malam, 1989) and E.O.C. (Ingatan Waktu Kecil, 1985) were sold for RM212,800 and RM218,400, in the Henry Butcher Art Auction November edition and July edition, respectively. In the Henry Butcher March 2021 Art Auction, his E.O.C. (Apa Khabar Ledang, 1992) was sold for RM224,000.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) Series, 1988
    Aug. 25, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) Series, 1988

    Est: RM60,000 - RM120,000

    By dint of hard work, one triumphs over adversity and all the obstacles therein. While Awang Damit Ahmad's life in impoverished Kuala Penyu was no bed of roses, having to help his father till padi fields and go fishing in the rough seas, it was no tragedy either. Making do with primitive tools, overcoming the harsh land and sea and buffeting the vagaries of weather had toughened the character. Yet the memories of the early struggles are bitter-sweet. This lies at the world view of Awang Damit's seminal art series, Essence Of Culture (E.O.C., Intipati Budaya), with his own semantics of intrinsic symbolisms often couched by earthy colours. E.O.C. spanned 1985 to 1995. The saga of Awang Damit Ahmad from fisherman-farmer to Telekoms technician to taking up Art at age 27 is a fairy-tale of grit, determination and natural talent. After studies at the Mara Institute of Technology, emerging as a Top Student, he studied up to his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington, and returning to teach at UiTM until his retirement with the rank of Associate Professor in May 2011. His huge potential was attested by the string of awards: the Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman (1984), 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition (1988), and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. He first represented Malaysia in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. In 2022, his E.O.C. (Perjalanan Malam, 1989) and E.O.C. (Ingatan Waktu Kecil, 1985) were sold for RM212,800 and RM218,400, in the Henry Butcher Art Auction November edition and July edition, respectively. In the Henry Butcher March 2021 Art Auction, his E.O.C. (Apa Khabar Ledang, 1992) was sold for RM224,000.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : E.O.C “Derap Derap Jerami”, 1994
    Aug. 18, 2024

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : E.O.C “Derap Derap Jerami”, 1994

    Est: RM170,000 - RM200,000

    Even without discovering the meaning and message behind Awang Damit, one is able to tell that this is a highly emotional piece, much like the rest of his works. That is what makes his paintings appealing in the first place, combined with the rare gift of artistry. The paintings speak to the viewer and make them feel something – sadness, anger, bitterness or all combined. Those familiar with his works know that his works are always, always heavy with emotion, as if they carry the burden on one’s shoulders in canvas form. Bold and livid, the colours may intimidate the viewer, but grow slowly on them, engaging them for as long as possible. Awang Damit’s paintings can be considered to be an intellectual journey of sorts, as he progressed from his EOC Series into various others, constantly exploring, continuously learning and always expressing. Awang has been heavily influenced by Latiff Mohidin and the forms typically seen in Latiff’s Pago Pago artworks can be seen in this masterpiece.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Payarama Baru “Sangkar”, 2015
    Aug. 18, 2024

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Payarama Baru “Sangkar”, 2015

    Est: RM42,000 - RM65,000

    This work is a juxtaposion of the schematic and geomatric shapes of robot anime characters with natural settings. Born in Kuala Penyu, Sabah, Awang Damit Ahmad is one of the most renowned and well- established artists in Malaysia. His father was a fisherman while his mother was a housewife. In 1975, when he was 21, he moved to Selangor to become a technician with Telekom Malaysia. While working as a technician, he cultivated a love for the arts intently and he eventually quit Telekom in 1979 to join Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in mid- 1979. He pursued his Diploma in Fine Arts, which is equivalent to a general degree. During his time in UiTM, he did his practical in Melaka and developed his skills by learning with the best in St.Paul Hills, Melaka. He topped his class in UiTM, graduating in 1983. For two years, he became a full-time artist and completed his first series, Essence of Culture.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Marista “Orangan dan Derap Derap Jerami”, 1995
    Aug. 18, 2024

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : Marista “Orangan dan Derap Derap Jerami”, 1995

    Est: RM30,000 - RM35,000

    Awang Ahmad Damit’s Marista: Orangan dan Derap Derap Jerami (1995) is a fascinating piece of Malaysian art that offers a profound commentary on rural life and the changing dynamics of society. The title itself, which translates to “Marista: Scarecrow and the Rustling of Straw,” hints at the themes explored in the artwork. Damit, a prominent figure in the Malaysian art scene, is renowned for his ability to capture the essence of rural Malaysia. The “derap derap jerami” or “rustling of straw” in the title adds another layer of meaning. The sound of the straw rustling in the wind symbolizes the passage of time and the impermanence of life. It also evokes a sense of nostalgia, reminding viewers of the simple pleasures and challenges of rural existence.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD | Payarama Sutra
    Jun. 30, 2024

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD | Payarama Sutra

    Est: S$9,000 - S$13,000

    61 x 61 cm ; 96 x 96 cm(with frame) mixed media on canvas inscribed with painting details, dated 2015 and signed verso Provenance: Private collection, Singapore 亞旺·達米·阿麥德《《帕亚拉玛经之三》》2015年作 综合媒材 画布 款识：NAME: AWANG DAMIT AHMAD / TITLE: PAYARAMA "SUTRA 3" / MEDIA: MIXED / SIZE: 61 cm x 61 cm / YEAR: 2015 / SIGNATURE: 艺术家签名 2015（画背） 出版: Brushstrokes of Dedication, New Sarawak Tribune, Malaysia, 17 November 2023 Awang Damit Ahmad is a prominent Malaysian contemporary artist of the second generation who creates artworks in a broadly abstract expressionistic style. He delves deep into the subject matters of cultural, social, and political scenes in Malaysia, incorporating tremendous dynamism in his paintings through vibrant color palettes, vigorous brushstrokes, and layered textures. Awang Damit’s art usually reflects on the issues retrieved from his upbringing memory, closely tied to the local culture of agriculture and fishery that are influenced by the current change of climates and environment. The featured lot in this auction belongs to his most iconic “Payarama” series developed between 2012 and 2016, in which he explores the interconnection between nature and humans. The "Payarama" series has been showcased in various exhibitions, highlighting Awang Damit's ability to blend traditional Malaysian elements with contemporary abstract forms. 亞旺·達米·阿麥德是第二代马来西亚当代艺术家中的杰出人物，他的作品具有广泛的抽象表现主义风格。他深入探究马来西亚的文化、社会和政治场景，通过鲜艳的色调，有力的笔触和多层次的纹理，在绘画中融入巨大的活力。 亞旺·達米的艺术通常反映其成长记忆中的问题，与当地受当下气候和环境变化影响的农业和渔业文化密切相关。本场拍卖展出的拍品来自他于2012至2016年间创作的最具代表性的“Payarama”系列，他在该系列中探讨了人与自然间的相互联系。“Payarama”系列曾多次展出，彰显了亞旺·達米将马来西亚传统元素与当代抽象形式融合的艺术能力。

    33 Auction
  • AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : EOC - Lampit dan Rumbia III, 1992
    May. 26, 2024

    AWANG DAMIT AHMAD : EOC - Lampit dan Rumbia III, 1992

    Est: RM100,000 - RM150,000

    Awang Damit Ahmad’s “EOC - Lampit dan Rumbia III,” crafted in 1992, is a compelling exploration of cultural heritage and identity through the lens of abstract expressionism. In this evocative series, Ahmad deftly intertwines traditional motifs with contemporary abstraction, creating a visually dynamic and emotionally resonant narrative. “EOC - Lampit dan Rumbia III” transports viewers into a realm where the vibrant colors and rhythmic patterns of Malaysian culture converge with the universal language of art. Through his bold use of line and form, Ahmad invites us to contemplate the interconnectedness of past and present, tradition and innovation. Each brushstroke serves as a testament to the enduring vitality of Malaysia’s rich artistic heritage, while also pushing the boundaries of artistic expression into new and captivating territories. “EOC - Lampit dan Rumbia III” stands as a testament to Ahmad’s mastery of his craft and his unwavering commitment to exploring the complexities of cultural identity in the modern world.

    KLAS Art Auction
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essense Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Sisa-sisa Jerami", 1994
    May. 19, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essense Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Sisa-sisa Jerami", 1994

    Est: RM50,000 - RM90,000

    This work stems from his early major series, the most sought after series, Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), representing his world view about Man and Nature. His abstraction is a symbolic language of the lives of farmers and fishermen, uniting all shapes and fragments of patterns arranged in a well-balanced composition. The symbolic shapes are derived from his thoughts, reflections and observations. People overcome daunting challenges with hard work, persistence, and steely determination, making an honest living. Despite being a late-starter in art, Awang Damit Ahmad relentlessly made the grade right up to his winning the Major Award (and also a Consolation Prize) in Salon Malaysia III in 1991. He had also won the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman Malaysia and the 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition in 1988, and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. He first had his art tutelage at the Mara Institute of Technology, later a university, at the age of 27, and taught there until May 2011 when he retired as Associate Professor, and then the Catholic University in Washington where he attained his Masters. His first big break was when he was chosen in the Malaysian delegation in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition in Pasadena, Los Angeles, in 1988. His artworks have been selected into Sotheby's auction for numerous times, and prices have been soaring high.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
  • Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essense Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Sea Harvest", 1993
    May. 19, 2024

    Awang Damit Ahmad (b. 1956) Essense Of Culture (E.O.C.) "Sea Harvest", 1993

    Est: RM45,000 - RM75,000

    In Awang Damit Ahmad's 'opaquely' encrusted Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.) (Intipati Budaya) palette of tawny brown and dirty spring green, Sea Harvest combines the resources of land and water. Centipedes known as pun pun are a source of baits for fishing either in the river or on the remote beach front of Kuala Penyu in Sabah. They can be found in damp areas like muddy estuaries but can turn pesky, though they feed on insects and roaches. As some centipedes are venomous, they are probably killed before being strung onto the hook, but is the caught fish which devour the centipede which has venom, safe? Should be, what with its preys like shrews, toads, badgers and birds, even chickens, none the worst from eating them. The seminal E.O.C., which spanned 1985 to 1995, is Awang Damit's tome of the eternal struggle of Man and Nature, for nourishment and survival. Awang Damit Ahmad is a phenomenon, a late starter in art who ascended to prominence with his earthy E.O.C. series. From farmer / fisherman to a Telekom technician, he studied Art at a relatively late age of 27, and then became an artist and art academician, at the Mara Institute of Technology. He followed up with his Masters at the Catholic University in Washington, and taught at his alma mater before retiring as Associate Professor at ITM in May 2011. His accolades included the prestigious Major Award in Salon Malaysia III, the Minor Award in Bakat Muda Sezaman, 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition, and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. His first major overseas exhibition was in the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988.

    Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers
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