#midium

Iskandar Jalil is a renowned Singaporean ceramicist who was awarded the Cultural Medallion for Visual Arts in 1988. His Jawi script vessel developed during the Hindu-Buddhist era, and Jawi script, which emerged in the 14th century, is based on Arabic script and incorporates a mixture of Malay and Arabic vocabularies. The use of Jawi, a type of Arabic script for writing the Malay language, has declined in practical use in Malaysia and Singapore. In Malaysia, it is still taught in some schools, particularly in Islamic and traditional institutions. However, in Singapore, while it remains part of some cultural heritage, it is rarely seen in everyday use. The inclusion of the Jawi script on this vessel seems to be a way to preserve and remember the script.

Chua Mia Tee's National Language Class was painted in 1959 and reflects the social realist style for which Chua, a Chinese-born Singaporean artist, is known. His works capture the social and political conditions of Singapore and Malay in the 1950s and 60s. This particular painting, created during his time as a member of the Equator Art Society, is filled with nationalist sentiments, commemorating Singapore’s long-awaited attainment of self-governance in 1959. The phrases on the chalkboard, “What is your name?” and “Where do you live?” reflect the growing consciousness of national identity among the people of Singapore at the time.

The painting employs a textured, impressionistic technique, with bold brushstrokes that convey movement and depth. While the overall color palette is subdued, the artist highlights certain features like the figures' clothing and faces with brighter colors. The brushwork is dynamic and loose, allowing the figures and background to blend slightly, creating a natural flow.

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“Is the Jawi (Malay Arabic) Script Practically Extinct in Malaysia and Singapore?” Quora, www.quora.com/Is-the-Jawi-Malay-Arabic-script-practically-extinct-in-Malaysia-and-Singapore. Accessed 24 Sept. 2024. 

“Jawi Script.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Sept. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jawi_script.