Newcomer artist Pali's abstract paintings tap into positive frequencies

Pali looks to his surroundings for inspiration when creating art. This is reflected in his two solo exhibits - 'Peristiwa Di Awangan' (2021) and 'Frekuensi' (2022) - where he responded to the lockdowns and, in the latter, used twigs and bamboo from the area he lives in to create different effects in his artworks. Photo: Faizal Suhif

After a sold-out show with Rissim Contemporary at Art Expo Malaysia 2022 at GMBB in Kuala Lumpur last month, artist Fadhli Ariffin, better known as Pali, is over the moon.

But there is something else that he is looking forward to now: to enjoy the "balik kampung" experience to the fullest after two years of missing Hari Raya festivities and family.

“When I was a child, my favourite part of Hari Raya was cycling around the neighbourhood with my friends. Now, I am able to better appreciate the meaningful reunion of family and friends, and just sit back and enjoy the moment. This year has been a joyous celebration in Taiping (Perak) as we haven’t celebrated Raya as a family for two years. We were all really excited to get together,” he says.

Pali has been based in Selangor since his student days at UiTM in Shah Alam. He graduated with a degree in Fine Arts in 2013 and since then has exhibited in three solo exhibitions and numerous group shows.

Just before the pandemic in early 2020, Pali moved from Ampang to his friend’s studio in Hulu Langat in Selangor, to work on an art project together.

Close to nature

When the movement control order started, he kept himself busy in the studio. Even when restrictions were lifted, he continued exploring his surroundings, delighting in the natural environment and enjoying the rejuvenating dips in the river each day before working on his art.

“I think I like living here so much because it reminds me of a simpler life, kind of like how it was growing up in my hometown in Taiping. I am also surrounded by many fruit trees here, like durian and banana, and a very special one, the tampoi tree,” he shares.

A painting from Pali titled 'Mencari Frekuensi IX' (2021), one of the abstract works inspired by the pandemic, nature and radio frequencies in medical devices. Photo: Rissim Contemporary

Inspired by this environment, he incorporated the use of bamboo and twigs to create different effects in his artworks.

In Peristiwa Di Awangan, his solo show at Rissim Contemporary in 2020, he expressed how the uncertainty from the pandemic affected him.

In last month’s new series at the Frekuensi show, he elaborates on this experience in two parts: Mencari Frekuensi and Frekuensi, the former a series of small works depicting his struggles with finding sustenance as an artist during a strict lockdown, and the latter, a series of larger works, a celebration of artistic freedom and expression as he embraces a newfound sense of purpose.

To breathe again

“In the beginning, I felt lost. But I still wanted to create art because that is what I love. It struck me that the monotonous pattern of heart rate monitors feels like our everyday during the lockdown, with us artists just watching and waiting for any change in the situation. From the smaller Mencari Frekuensi, developed during the lockdown, I progressed to the happier Frekuensi, when some restrictions were lifted and I felt like I could breathe again,” he shares.

Last year, Pali and his friends made lemang for Hari Raya and even sold some by the roadside before the festivities. Photo: Abang Bob

Despite not being able to return to his hometown the past two Hari Raya celebrations, it was not all gloom and doom as he sought new experiences and learned new things. Last year, together with a few friends, he learned how to make lemang.

The day before Hari Raya, they even sold lemang by the roadside in Hulu Langat.

It was a new experience for Pali, one that he thoroughly enjoyed.

But this year, he is putting aside his lemang and training the spotlight on his mother’s cooking at home.

“My lemang-making skills can be brought out another time, this year I just want to eat what my mum cooks, as she usually does during Hari Raya,” he concludes with a smile.