Abdul Ghani Bin Abdul Hamid
Born
13 April 1933
213 Kg Siglap (Kg Bahru), East Coast Road, Singapore
Education
Early in life attended Madrasah Al-Ihsan Al-Islamiah. Later, a religious class at Masjid Mydin, Jalan Lapang, Kg Kembangan. Attended Sekolah Melayu (Lelaki) Telok Kurau, Joo Chiat Place, till 1946 *.
1947 - 1950 Telok Kurau English School
1951 - 1954 Raffles Institution
1942 - 1945 *Japanese Occupation in Singapore (Malaya).
1944 – 1945 worked as an apprentice in the Elect. Department, Keppel Harbour.
1955 - 1988 worked as a clerical officer with Singapore Municipality which was later known as City Council, then.. Public Utilities Board (1963).
As A Writer
Has written since 1948 hundreds of poems (Malay and English), short stories, essays, working papers, articles on art and history, and plays.
Magazines and Newspapers which have published his works
Hiboran, Hiboran Filem, Kisah, Hiboran Cherita, Seni, Mutiara, Belia, Fashion, Utusan Zaman, Utusan Film & Sports, Mastika, Utusan Pemuda, Juwita, Juwita Filem, Gelanggang, Kisah Bintang dan Filem, Dian Daijes, Dewan Bahasa, Dewan Budaya, Dewan Sastera, Dewan Rakyat (Melaka), Mingguan Malaysia, Pustaka, The Artist (London), The Straits Times (Bilingual Section), The New Nation, Singa, You Shi (translation of his article), Chao Foon (translation of his book review), Berita Harian, Berita Minggu, The Arts (NUS), Bahana (Brunei) etc.
Working papers for
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Kongres Bahasa dan Persuratan Melayu III(l 956), Spore & Johor
-
Kongres Kebudayaan Melayu I (1957), Melaka
-
Seminar Kebudayaan Melayu (1962), Singapore
-
Kongres Bahasa Kebangsaan (1966), Singapore
-
Conference on “Echoes of Infinity : Expressions of Islamic Spirituality in Art and Architecture” - paper “The Islamic Art in Singapore” (1997), Shah Alam
-
Asia Pacific Literary Conference - paper “Development of an Asian Foundation in the Cosmopolitan Culture of Singapore” (co-presenter: M. Raman Daud) (1997), Kuala Lumpur
Books
1960
SEKILAS PANDANG SENILUKIS DAN PERKEMBANGANNYA
(a book on art)
- Pustaka Melayu, Singapore
1964
JALINAN RASA (a collection of poems)
- Pustaka Melayu
1972
MATA DAN HATI (a collection of poems In Malay & EngIish)
- Perkumpulan Seni
1977
DELIMA MERAH DI JARI MANIS (a novelette)
- Solo Enterprises
1978
BREEZES (a collection of poems in English)
- Solidarity Publishing Company
1985
DESA INI HATIKU (a novelette)
- Perkumpulan Seni
1988
NOTA (a collection of poems)
- ASAS’50
1988
MENGENANG PAK ZUBIR (Zubir Said’ s biography. Co-author Sulaiman Jeem)
- Pustaka Melayu
1990
KEGIATAN KOLEKTIF PELUKIS-PELUKIS MELAYU (a brief account on collective activities among Malay artists)
- APAD
1990
SENI INDAH MASJID DI SINGAPURA (works of decorative art found in Singapore Mosques)
- APAD
1990
YAA’COB MOHAMED (a biography. Co-author Sulaimain Jeem) - Penerbitan Wisma
1991
AN ARTIST’S NOTE
- APAD
1993
PAMERAN (selected essays on exhibitions, 1963- 1992)
- APAD
1994
HARUN, SEORANG PENULIS (a brief biographv of Harun Aminurrashid)
- JK Bulan Bahasa’94
1995
FRAGMEN 40 (anthology of poems)
- Perkumpulan Seni
1995
KESAN CITRA (a collection of 7 essays)
- APAD
1997
TAWAJUH (an anthology of poems)
- Perkumpulan Seni
1997
AKTIVIS MELAYU/ISLAM DI SINGAPURA (Co-Author: Sulaiman Jeem)
- Persatuan Wartawan Melayu
Special Articles
1971 - 1977
Wrote weekly on visual art and literature for Berita Minggu
1989 - 1991
Wrote weekly on regional history (events & personalities) for Berita Harian (Mondays)
1999
Weekly articles on his past experience for Berita Harian (Thursdays)
Poems On The MRT:
1996 His poem “Nilai” (Values) being displayed from 29 Feb to 15 May 1996 - National Arts Council
Plays
1971
PENGEMBARA (a dance drama based on the poem of same title)
1973
WAK CANTUK (based on the novelette by Harun Aminurrashid)
1978
CINCIN BUKAN IKATAN (a pantomime based on the poem of same title)
1980
DESA INI HATIKU (Drama Festival ’80)
1992
SEJAMBAK RAGAM HAYAT (a 25-episode Radio-drama)
1982
BEPBURU DI PADANG DATAR (Drama Festival ’82)
1988
WAK CANTUK (Repeat, 32nd Anniversary of Perkumpulan Seni)
1994
ENRIQUE. ANAK MELAYU (based on “Panglima Awang” by Harun Aminurrashid)
Other Published Works
(poems, short stories, paintings, plays, etc) are also included in other anthologies.
Some of the anthologies:
1956
BINGKISAN ANGKATAN BARU -Pustaka Hang Tuah, Kedah
1961
PUISI BAHARU MELAYU -Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, KL
1963
DUA ZAMAN -Pustaka Antara, KL
1975
PUNCAK SEMBILAN -Pustaka Nasional, S’ pore
1975
EKSPRESI -Pustaka Nasional, S’ pore
1977
SINGAPORE WRITING - Woodrose Publications. S’pore
1981
PUISI-PUISI NUSANTARA - DBP, Kuala Lumpur
1983
GEMA TEMASEK - Majlis Pusat, S’ pore
1985
THE POETRY OF SINGAPORE - The ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information
1987
TIGA WARNA BERTEMU - DBP, Kuala Lumpur
1989
MENGENANG-MU - DBP, Kuala Lumpur
1990
TIGA VISI - Perkumpulan Seni
1990
PUISI BAHARU MELAYU 1961-1986 - DBP, Kuala Lumpur
1990
VOICES OF SINGAPORE - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS.
1991
FREE VERSE (Performance Poetry - The Substation, S’pore
1992
DINAMIKA BUDAYA - Majlis Pusat. S’pore
1991
SINGAPORE: PLACES POEMS PAINTINGS - Art & Artist Speak, S’ pore
1994
SINGAPORE ARTISTS SPEAK (2) - Art & Artist Speak. S’pore
1995
PRISMA SENI - Perkumpulan Seni
1999
MEMORIES & DESIRES - The Centre of the Arts
Pseudonym: In early period he has been known by pen-names such as Kumbang Mas, Kemala Mumi, Merah Putih, Lazuardi and Analis.
Appreciation / Awards
1. ‘Hadiah Penghargaan’ from JAWATANKUASA HADIAH SASTERA ’79 -’80,
SINGAPURA, for his drama script - DESA INI HATIKU (1981)
2. ‘Consolation Prize’ of MABIMS Islamic Poetry Writing Competition (1997)
3. Anugerah Tun Seri Lanang 1997, Malay Language Council (1998)
4. SEA Write Award, Thailand (1998)
5. Cultural Medallion, Singapore (1999)
AS AN ARTIST
Has participated in numerous art exhibitions since 1950, and held five solo exhibitions (1972 - 1989). Among them:
1950
Youth Festival Art Exhibition, Victoria Memorial Hall
1951
Society of Malay Artists Malaya Art Exhibition
1956
Perkumpulan Seni Art Exhibition/Competition
1961
LTK (Lembaga Tetap Kongres) Art Exhibition
1962
Malaysia Art Exhibition
1964
Solidarity Week Exhibition
1965
Contemporary Art in Asia (an intinerant exhibition - 14 Asian Cities)
1965
A collage-painting specially exhibited at USIS Library
1968
Singapore Festival ’68 Art Exhibition
1969
ART 150
1970
Two-man Art Exhibition (with S B Banafek), Melaka
1970
National Day Art Exhibition
1971
March Art Exhibition
1971
Group ’71 Art Exhibition, Malay Art Gallery
1972
Mata Dan Hati (First One-man Art Exhibition - Paintings with Poems), MAG
1972
Abstract Painting Exhibition
1972
Modern Art Exhibition
1973
RASA ’73, Malay Art Gallery
1973
Exhibition of Modern Sketches, Malay Art Gallery
1974
Second One-man Art Exhibition, Malay Art Gallery
1974
Third One-man Art Exhibition (Paintings and Sketches)
1975
Second T\vo-man Art Exhibition (with S B Banafek), Jakarta
1976
Art Exhibition, Official Opening of the National Museum Art Gallery
1977
First Asian Art Exhibition, Hong Kong
1981
Singapore-Taiwan Contemporary Paintings Exhibition
1985
Fourth One-man Art Exhibition (Official Opening of the National Library Bedok Branch)
1988
Salon des Artistes Francais, Grand Palais, Paris
1988
Tranformasi (Paintings transformed from poems)
1989
Fifth One-man Art Exhibition (BREEZE ’89), National Library Geylang East Branch
1989
Nite of 2 Hearts
1991
Action ‘91
1991
Singapore Art Fair, WTC
1992
Islamic Contemporary Works of Art Exhibition, Holidav Inn Crowne Plaza
1992
Singapore Art Fair, IMM Building
1993
Art In Asia, Singapore Art Fair, WTC
1993
Rasajagat ’93, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
1994
Pameran Karya Seni, Melaka Menjelang 600 Tahun, Melaka
1995
Malay Artists Singapore, Kuala Lumpur
1996
Singapore Arts Federation 30th Anniversary Art Exhibition
1996
Contemporary 1996, Singapore
1997
FORM Art Exhibition, Museum Barli, Bandung
1997
Pekan Seni lpoh II Art Exhibition, Perak
Private and Public Collections
Permanent Collection, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore
Permanent Collection, Galeri Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Mr Anuar Manaf, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mr Sulaiman Hj. A. Wahab, Brunei Darussalam
Mr Dzulkifli Ramli, Singapore
Mr Dzulkifli Mohd, Singapore
Mr Raja Shah Malik, Kelang, Selangor, Malaysia
Mr Nazir Nasar, Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia
Mr Alwi Abdul Hafiz, Singapore
Mr Tan Swie Hian, Singapore
Messrs Wong Khalis & Partners, Singapore
Majlis Pusat, Singapore
Mr Mohd. Annuar Zaini (Yayasan Perak) Perak, Malaysia
Ms Nur Hanim Khairuddin. Curator, Perak, Malaysia
Dr. Hadijah Rahmat, Singapore
Mr Raja Ahmad Aminullah, Perak, Malaysia
Other Art Works
1954
Cartoons/caricatures for “HIBORAN” (I 954 - 56), a weekly magazine, published by the Royal Press, Singapore
1958
MATA DAN HATI, oil painting, (1957) widely criticised by artists, writers and poets, 1958 - 1961
1968
Commissioned to design Pesta Budaya LTK ’68 stamp
1972
Cartoon strips MAT DALANG published in Berita Minggu (Singapore) (1972 - 1977), and later in other magazines
Other Activities
Since 1952, has been appointed / nominated / invited to serve in many art selection / competition advisory /management committees and to participate in art and literary activities. Among them:
1952
Chairman, Students’ Section, Malay Youth Literary Association
1956
Vice President, PERKUMPULAN SENI. Later, Hon. Auditor
1956
Founded ANGKATAN PELUKIS MUDA (Society of Young Painters) and elected President
1959
Hon. Secretary. PERSATUAN KEBUDAYAAN MELAYU (Society of Malay Culture). Later Vice President. Then, President. Resigned on 25 April 1985
1961
Judge, Works by Local Artists exhibition, Ministry of Culture
1961
Hon. Secretary, Art Section of LEMBAGA TETAP KONGRES
1962
Founded ANGKATAN PELUKIS ANEKA DAYA (Association of Artists of Various Resources), and was elected President (1962 - 1983). Deputy President (1983-1988, 1990-1992)
1962
Member, Selection Committee.. Malaysia Art Exhibition
1962
Judge, UNESCO International Poster Competition (Singapore)
1964
Chairman. Solidarity Art Exhibition
1965
Member, PEACE COMMITTEE
1966
Member. Selection Committee, National Theatre Art Gallery
1967
Member, National Day Art & Photographic Exhibition Sub-Committee
1968
Member, Art and Craft Sub-Committee of Singapore Festival 1968
1969
Member, Jabatan Kebudayaan (Dept. Of Culture). Majlis Pusat
1970
Lecturer, Literary Workshop on Criticism and Essays, Angkatan Sasterawan ‘50
1971
Participant, TV Forum (Malay Programme) on Arts and Leisure
1971
Hon. Secretary, MC of Kg Chai Chee Community Centre. Later, Committee Member (1972 - 1974)
1971
Judge, South East Asia University, College and Secondary School Students’ Creative Art Competition
1975
Judge, DEBATE ’75 (Malay Programme), RTS and MOE
1978
Chairman, Forum on Education and Concept in Life (Malay Programme), Radio and Television Singapore
1980
Judge, On-the-Spot Poster Contest, Youth Group, Kg Kembangan Community Centre
1981
Member Of Jury, HADIAH SASTERA 1979/1980
1981
Chairman, Forum on Values and Position of Malay Culture in Multiracial Society of Singapore Today (in Malay)
1981
Judge, BERBALAS PANTUN competition. SBC
1982
Judge, RISEAP Logo Competition (Singapore)
1982
Judge, BERBALAS PANTUN competition. SBC
1981
Member Of Jury, HADIAH SASTERA 1981/1982
1984
Judge, National Poetry Writing Competition (Malay Section)
1985
Member of the Advisory Panel for Publications. MCI. Re-appointed in 1987, 1989 and 1991, MITA
1986 & 1988
Invited to participate in the WRITERS’ WEEK, Singapore Festival of Arts
1987
Member of the Advisory Committee on Visual Art, MCD. Re-appointed in 1989 and 1991. MITA
1987
Delivered a talk on Works by Sarkasi, S Mohdir and Sujak
1987
President. PERKUMPULAN SENI. 1988, Vice President
1988
Judge, RC Mural Competition, MCD
1988
Editor, PUSTAKA, a magazine published by Pustaka Melayu
1988
Member. Singapore Delegation to the ASEAN SYMPOSIUM ON PAINTING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND CHILDREN’S ART. Jakarta
1988
Speaker, forum on Malay Literature, National Reading Month ‘88
1988
Appointed by Singapore Cultural Foundation, to gather materials
(Singapore & Malaysia) for Zubir Said Song Collection Project
1988
Member. Selection Panel, “Zubir Said - His Songs”, Singapore Cultural Foundation.
1989 Represented Singapore in the PREPARATORY MEETING (FIRST ASEAN SYMPOSIUM ON AESTHETICS, WORKSHOP & EXHIBITION), K.L.
1989
Judge, Pantun Competition, Singapore Heritage Week
1989
Judge, National Mural Competition, MITA
1989
Guest-reciter. VOICES OF SINGAPORE. NUS
1990
Judge, PERTANDINGAN DIKIR BARAT KEBANGSAAN (National Dikir Barat Competition)
1991
Judge. Amanah Saham MENDAKI Logo Competition
1991
Judge, GEMA DIKIR BARAT
1991
Participant, FREE VERSE (Performance Poetry) to read his poem “Sungai Ini Tenggelam” (This River Sinks)
1991
Member, Executive Committee, SINGAPORE ARTS COUNCIL. Later the organisation changed to SINGAPORE ARTS FEDERATION. Re-elected in 1992
1991
Judge, PERTANDINGAN DIKIR BARAT PIALA ZULKIFLI MOHD.
1991
Working Committee, Singapore Art Fair
1991
Member, Selection Committee, Singapore Artist Directory Empress Place Museum
1991
Attended “Pertemuan Sasterawan Nusantara Ke-7”, Singapore
1992
Member (reappointed), Selection Committee. Singapore Artist Directory, Empress Place Museum
1992
Member (reappointed), Working Committee, Singapore Art Fair
1992
Adviser, ANGKATAN PELUKIS ANEKA DAYA
1992
Judge, GEMA DIKIR BARAT
1993
Member, ARTS RESOURCE PANEL, National Arts Council (NAC)
1993
Member, Selection Committee for Singapore’s entries for the 3rd ASEAN TRAVELLING EXHIBITION
1993
Member of Jury, ANUGERAH PERSURATAN (Poetry Section)
1993
President, PERKUMPULAN SENI
1993
Judge, PERTANDINGAN HADRAH KOMPANG NASIONAL 1993
1993
Judge, Children’s Art Competition, Malay Village Pte Ltd
1993
Member, ADVISORY PANEL FOR VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITIONS, Ministry of Information and The Arts (MITA)
1993
Attended “Hari Sastera ’93", Shah Alam, Selangor
1994
Adviser (re-appointed), ANGKATAN PELUKIS ANEKA DAYA
1994
Member (re-appointed), ARTS RESOURCE PANEL, NAC
1994
Attended “Pertemuan Sasterawan Nusantara ke-8”, Brunei
1994
Member, Arts Education Programme for 1995 Working Committee, NAC
1994
Member, Cultural Affairs Committee, MENDAKI. Re-appointed in 1995
1994
Delivered Keynote Address “Translation Needs Attention” at the Launch of “A Dog For Diplomat” by Teater Kami.
1994
Attended PERTEMUAN SASTERAWAN NUSANTARA KE-8, Brunei Darussalam, representing PERKUMPULAN SENI
1995
Attended “An Open Forum on South East-Asian Art History And Regional Aesthetics” representing APAD
1995
Member, ASAS’50 Delegation to “Kongres Bahasa Melayu Sedunia, Kuala Lumpur
1995 Member, ASAS’50 Delegation to “Konvensyen Pelancongan Sejarah IMS-GT”, Desaru, Johor.
1995
Judge, PERTANDINGAN AKHIR MENDEKLAMASIKAN SAJAK 1995, MOE
1995
Member, POEMS ON THE MRT Selection Committee, NAC
1995
Judge, NATIONAL DIKIR BARAT COMPETITION (PERDANA95)
1995
Leader, APAD’s Delegation to “Festival Istiqlal II 1995,” Jakarta
1996
Leader, Perkumpulan Seni’s Delegation to “Simposium Jaringan Melayu Antarabangsa”, Shah Alam
1996
Member, ASAS ’50 Delegation to “Seminar Warisan Persuratan Johor”, Johor
1996
Committee Member, Malay Language Month
1996
Appointed as Panel Member, Melaka Arts Academy
1996
Presented a talk on “Malay Pantun”, Tampines West Community Club
1996
Panel Member, Forum Budaya (Forum on Culture), Telok Blangah Community Club
1996
Attended PERTEMUAN GURU-GURU NUSANTARA KE-8, representing MENDAKI
1997
Judge PESTA PANTUN 1997, Malay Language Society, NUS
1997
Member, Publication Committee, SINGAPORE ART 97
1997
Executive Committee Member (re-elected), SINGAPORE ARTS FEDERATION
1997
Advisor, PERKUMPULAN SENI
1997
Member (re-appointed) Cultural Affairs Committee, Yayasan MENDAKI
1997
Member, ASAS ’50 Delegation to “Seminar Warisan Persuratan Johor II”
1999
Member, Singapore History Museum Board
1999
Member (re-appointed) Cultural Affairs Committee, Yayasan MENDAKI.
2000
Appointed an Arts Advisor (2 year term), NAC.
2000
Appointed an Advisor, Federation of Art Society.
2000
Judge, PESTA PANTUN 2000, Malay Language Society, NUS