Artist Curator-in-residence at Creative Space, Khairol Ibrahim creates 'The Eye of the Beholder' - making the audience view the legend of 'Jong Batu' in a different perspective.
A graduate in Arts and Creative Technology from University Brunei Darussalam, Khairol Ibrahim has an extensive record of experience for art workshops and exhibitions in Brunei, Singapore, and Berlin, Germany. His works have also been featured in the contemporary art festival, Ostrale in 2015 at Dresden, Germany. Many of his artworks have been acquired by notable Bruneian collectors.
In his work for the Emerge 5: Folklore Exhibition, 'The Eye of the Beholder', he alters the past by including himself in the event and witnessing history as it is happening. Referring to the legend of 'Jong Batu,' as lightning and thunder strikes on the ship right before it turned into stone, the artist allows the audience to experience the tale itself, changing their perspective. His main focus in his work is to share the beauty of the environment and he uses nature as his subject by incorporating different colours to present the idea. The bright red and orange sky, and the yellow and green water with cascading black and grey portrays the energy and emotions of the event in the legendary tale, as the artist imagines himself to be in.
The Eye of the Beholder' is featured at the EMERGE 5: FOLKLORE art exhibition at Creative Space Art Gallery & Studio, along with works by nine other Bruneian artists. The exhibition is up until 31st of May and is open for public viewing.