Galeri Sasha proudly presents Inbetween Worlds, the fifth solo exhibition by Malaysian artist Faizal Yunus (b. 1989, Pahang). Following his exhibition Concurrence of Chances at HOM Art Trans (2022), this new body of work, which was produced over the span of a year, signals a bold departure in both concept and process. Inbetween Worlds explores the tension between the rural landscapes of Faizal’s childhood in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, and the industrial urbanism of his current life in Selangor.
Faizal Yunus’ work is distinguished by his use of an airbrush and automotive paint, a technique born from his years working in automobile shops. Recognized by his hyper-realistic textures captured within a dream-like haze, Faizal combines technical precision with a raw, process-driven approach. In this exhibition, he channels his memories of nature, merging them with the gritty materiality of industrialism. His paintings begin with a spontaneous pouring of paint, followed by meticulously masked outlines and airbrushed backdrops of a theatrical evening sky. Landscapes are then suggested, blending fantasy with memory in the portrayal of trees, waterfalls, and rugged hills.
The juxtaposition of these elements embodies Faizal’s journey through both physical and psychological spaces. Inbetween Worlds delves into the complexities of straddling two environments—one grounded in the serene, untouched greenery of his youth and the other entrenched in the mechanical, industrialised world of his adulthood. The rural and urban landscapes converge, creating a dialogue where the organic is punctuated by the cold, calculated presence of machinery and technology. The industrial tools and materials themselves play a pivotal role in this series; by incorporating airbrushes and automotive paint, Faizal infuses his canvases with a tactile depth and texture that extends beyond mere representation.
At its core, Inbetween Worlds is not only an exploration of place but also of Faizal’s personal evolution as an artist. His earlier works embraced abstraction, but over time, his style has shifted toward a balance of realism and surrealism. This transition mirrors his own journey as he finds equilibrium between chaos and order, fluidity, and structure.
Each work in this exhibition carries a poetic title, inviting the viewer to move beyond the visual into the emotional realm. These titles act as windows into the complex emotions and narratives embedded in the pieces—moments where abstraction meets reality and where the fantastical landscapes Faizal creates are tinged with memory and dream. The result is a body of work that transcends the physical landscapes depicted, offering instead a meditation on the transitions that shape both life and art.
On Inbetween Worlds
“The idea of Inbetween Worlds also reflects my personal evolution as an artist. Over the years, my style has undergone a significant transformation. I began with a purely abstract approach, where my expressions were fluid, unrestrained, and less defined by reality. But as I progressed, my work began to incorporate elements of realism, mirroring the way my life has come to blend the organic with the mechanical. This shift wasn't just a stylistic change—it was a reflection of my own journey of self-discovery, where I found myself drawn to the balance between chaos and structure, freedom, and form.”
Faizal Yunus
September 2024
About Faizal Yunus
Faizal Yunus was born in 1989 in Malaysia and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mara University of Technology (UiTM). He has garnered acclaim for his distinct approach to nature and industrial influences, with a practice rooted in painting, printmaking, and installation. Faizal’s work has been featured in prominent exhibitions including Malaysian Art, A New Perspective at Richard Koh Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, and S.E.A. FOCUS at Gillman Barracks, Singapore. He was awarded the Malaysian Emerging Artists Award (MEAA) in 2019 and completed the Southeast Asian Artist Residency at Rimbun Dahan in 2018.