Malaysian artist Yusof Gajah, known for his elephant-themed paintings, dies aged 68

Yusof Gajah was known as a person who actively worked to connect art to the masses, making art and creativity essential to the human experience. Photo: Filepic

One of Malaysia's most celebrated artists, Mohd Yusof Ismail, or better known as Yusof Gajah, whose media ranged from paintings, murals, installations, sketches and children's picture books, died earlier today at his home in Gombak, Selangor. He was 68.

The news of his death was confirmed by Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka, a national literary and arts institution. A cause of death was not announced. In the past few months, he had suffered regular bouts of ill health.