Izzat Zafirah paints digital pieces of art of women with a miasma of ferocity and unforgivingness. Each visual concept almost acts as if they were out for revenge. It is no mistake to correlate her body of work to the growing phenomena of women empowerment at the moment. A beholder may feel awe and fear—captivated—from the intensity and rawness of each character, which Izzat portrayed through colour, composition and juxtaposition of visual elements.
Izzat draws a lady with a focus on control. The lady is clad in a white leather uniform, hence demonstrating an aura of authority. The symmetry in her open stance not only pleases the eye (like beautifully symmetrical butterfly wings), but emits complete control over herself and her surroundings. The yellow-tinted, piercing gaze is undeniable in making the viewer crouch down in fear. Bright red light seemed to blanket her side profile, implying a fiery light source; possibly a big fire from an explosion she caused herself. This villainous implication would encourage a beholder to run from her sight ASAP. Clearly, the artwork is rich with intense mercilessness of a femme fatale character.
Moving on, we see Izzat paints a dreamier context; however, the signature intensity still looms. The first thing we face, may be the bright and terrifying eyes. Hooded, malicious and ready to swallow it’s victim whole like a cobra. Her head hung high… once again, showing a controlled demeanour. Unafraid to challenge its victim. The warm, hot palette of the sunset sky amplified the violence. With all the clouds of smoke in her area, the implication of destruction by fire is evident. The air is so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Furthermore, the textural contrast of her hands—light pencil sketches—compared to the smooth and painted face gives the painting a feel of non-reality. Like a sultry nightmare.
Further on, Izzat paints four ladies. The red-haired lady had blue makeup on her eyelids which juxtaposed with her overall reddish hair and face. She goes on to draw a dark-skinned woman with shocking, bright yellow eyes that contrasted against her dark blue palette. The contrast of hue and saturation creates drama and excitement that correlates with the fact that this piece may have been a symbol of immense appreciation of women of different races, which is an essential step in women empowerment within a culturally divisive time.
Izzat’s impact on the local art scene
The passion which Izzat illustrates in her work shows a strong cultural connection to female empowerment of current times. It is important to celebrate and understand her artworks with the dense cultural impact she brings into Brunei’s art scene.
It is undeniable that her art stems from digital cultures; polished skin, out-of-the-world settings and culturally diverse cast. Her subjects and techniques are distant from many traditional art we see in Brunei. However, her well recieved art shows featuring other artists ie. Creative Space Brunei’s Emerge and The Collective’s Altered Ego demonstrates how her foreign themes are widely accepted.
Written by Adriana Audady
Art by Izzat Zafirah
ABYSS 