From Reformasi to Melaka history: Ahmad Fuad Osman at National Art Gallery

Ahmad Fuad's painting 'Aaarrgghh ... Get Your Filthy Hands Out Of Me!!!' (oil on canvas, 2000), which welcomes visitors to his 30-year career survey 'At The End Of The Day Even Art Is Not Important' at the National Art Gallery in KL. Photo: Handout

Ahmad Fuad Osman’s mid-career survey at the National Art Gallery spans three decades, a collection of work that is for the most part, visually bold and sometimes quite startling in its presentation.

Peer around the screen in a corner of the room, and what do you see? Flowers in a vase on the table, a man in bed with an IV drip attached to his arm. Beside him, a chair. Here, your nose is assailed by the smell of antiseptic. Hello, hospital room.