N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E

F O R E W O R D

By Ms. Tan Ee Lene

The Art Gallery is honored to present Nasir Nadzir’s first posthumous solo exhibition, NASIR
NADZIR IN REMEMBRANCE: A Celebration of His Life and Artistic Journey. Nasir Nadzir was a very
young bubbly, gifted and talented artist who left us as a result of complications due to Covid-19
infection on 24th January 2021.

I got to know Nasir three years ago when he started joining my gallery’s group exhibitions. I was so
thankful to be introduced to him and got to discover his talent, especially his meticulous details in
his photorealism drawings and paintings. In fact, he was the first artist that I know who ventured
into colour pencil paintings and Indian ink and later experimented with other mediums such as
acrylic and mixed media. I admired his patience and passion for his art journey especially in
highlighting wildlife, mainly endangered species through his artworks.

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
He shared the following with me on his passion for wildlife conservation.

“When I became interested in art, I decided to focus on wildlife mainly as a reaction to my

previous working life, where I was surrounded by endless man-made structures, machineries,
and refineries. Painting wildlife was a distraction from my mechanical surroundings which is
not concerned with environmental issues at all. I believe in change and the human capacity to
make things better. I hope my artworks can help improve people's awareness on the severity
of this pressing issue of preserving our environment and Mother Nature." – Nasir Nadzir

I got to know through him that my dad, Dato’ Dr Tan Chee Khuan was his first buyer who bought
both his artworks during his group show, “World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Art for Nature 2016”. That
gave him confidence and encouraged him towards his artistic journey. Both of those paintings have
been donated to Lam Wah Ee Hospital to allow patients to admire them while being warded in the
hospital.

We shared so much especially our common interest in nature and the love for animals. He was very
dedicated and willing to learn and share.
N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
We even discussed his solo exhibition at The Art Gallery when he was ready as it was his dream to
have a solo here, being the place that encouraged him to start his artistic journey. Unfortunately, he
left us too soon before we could put together, a solo of his choice. However, I am so glad that Ivan
Gabriel contacted me a few months back. He mentioned that together with Nasir’s friends and
family, they wanted his dream to materialize. Hence, the successful culmination of this exhibition,
NASIR NADZIR, IN REMEMBRANCE: A Celebration of His Life and Artistic Journey, in conjunction with his
birthday month.

Nasir Nadzir, In Remembrance features 20 artworks (including an installation of the recreation of his
home studio space) from 2016 till 2020 focusing mainly on his wildlife series. This was his way of
highlighting the plight of the critically endangered Malaysian wildlife as well as other nature works
which he was experimenting with. Some works are incomplete but we have decided to showcase
them as well. I hope this exhibition will allow art lovers to enjoy his works as well as to allow him to
leave his legacy in the art community. Already, his works are included in the permanent collection of
the Penang State Art Gallery (PSAG).

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
Even though we have only been friends for three years, I have learned a lot from Nasir and we
shared fond memories. I am always grateful for his kindness in readily volunteering to help me in
the gallery. He shall be truly missed but his memories shall always remain in his art and dear to our
hearts. May you rest in peace, Nasir.

I wish to specially thank Nasir’s family for giving me the honour to host his posthumous solo
exhibition and also abundant thanks to his friends from The Art E Space, Penang Art District,
Penang State Art Gallery, Penang State Museum, Chroma Art Studio and Viva Victoria for supporting
this exhibition in loving memory of Nasir Nadzir.

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
 A R T I S T B I O

Nasir Nadzir (1989 – 2021) was a Penang-based artist who was known for his realistic paintings and
drawings of nature. Best known for his acrylic painting of “Tam”, the last known critically endangered
male Sumatran rhinoceros in Malaysia which died in 2019, the painting encapsulated his belief in
change and the human capacity to make things better. By painting wildlife and nature, Nasir Nadzir
had hoped to capture his audience’s awareness on the severity of the need to preserve our
environment and protect Mother Nature.

Though he had a natural affinity for drawing and had drawn cartoons and characters for his
schoolmates and friends when he was young, Nasir Nadzir only set out on the path of a full-time
artist in 2016 after four years as an oil and gas technician. During that time, he had been constantly
surrounded by man-made structures, machines, and refineries. It was in this environment that he
had a brush with death where he had fallen almost 40 feet during the process of setting up a
pipeline.

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
Thankfully unhurt, that incident caused Nasir Nadzir to reflect deeply on his life and choose a
different way forward.

Nasir Nadzir had embarked on his journey as an artist without any prior formal art training, but he
was hungry to learn and would seek out advice on how to improve as an artist. He began to explore
different mediums from monochromatic pen and ink drawings to colour pencils, oil pastels, and
finally acrylic painting. His generous and caring nature quickly enabled him to make many friends
within the Penang art community and to grow as an artist. Because of his past experience in the oil
and gas industry, Nasir Nadzir decided to focus fully on the preservation of wildlife and nature as a
subject. At the same time, Nasir Nadzir’s paintings also served as a reminder of the beauty and awe-
inspiring majesty of the natural world, which is so often overlooked and exploited.

Nasir Nadzir’s rising art career was tragically cut short when he passed away from COVID-19
complications on 24 January 2021 at the age of 31. However, his art and personailty had made its
mark in Penang, where he will always be remembered by his family, friends and fellow artists.

by ERYN Cheng, 2021

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
 N A S I R N A D Z I R ,

I N R E M E M B R A N C E :

A Celebration of His Life and Artistic Journey

Presented by The Art Gallery Penang

Curated by Ivan Gabriel

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
ORKID MAMA

2020
120 cm x 60 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

Private Collection of Nasir Nadzir's Family

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
 ORANG

2015
28 cm x 44 cm
Ballpoint on Paper

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
KELUARGA GAJAH

2017
30 cm x 53 cm
Ballpoint Pen and Ink on Paper
N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
ELEPHANT ON THE RUN

2019
36 cm x 52 cm
Ballpoint on Paper

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
PROTECT ME, MAMA

2017
34 cm x 53 cm
Fineliners and Colour Pencils
on Paper

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
RUDIMENTS OF THOUGHT AND JOY UNTROUBLED

20xx
54 cm x 36 cm
Colour Pencils on Paper

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
LEARNING FROM THE CLOSEST

2018
45 cm x 32 cm
Colour Pencils on Archival Paper

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
ULAQ IJAU

2019
36 cm x 36 cm
Colour Pencils on Paper

Private Collection of Ms. Janice Yeap

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 OF HOPE AND DREAM

20xx
52 cm x 76 cm
Correction Fluid on Mat Board

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
 TAM IN REMEMBRANCE

2019
91 cm x 122 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

Private Collection of
Mr. Simon Geh

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
 SI MANJA

2018
52 cm x 76 cm
Correction Fluid on Mat Board

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
TENGKU ABU

2020
76 cm x 61 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

Private Collection of Nasir Nadzir's Family

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
KOI BERTAM

2018
61 cm x 92 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

Private Collection of Nizom Nadzir

and Virginie Galy

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
BABY ORANG UTAN : SELAYANG KE UFUK RIMBA

YANG BERLUBANGAN

2020
76 cm x 102 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
IT WASN'T ME !

2020
92 cm x 122 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
GENTLE GARDENER

2020
76 cm x 102 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
EARTH'S NATURAL GARDENER

2020
91 cm x 91 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
 THE DRUNKEN TIGER

20xx
91 cm x 91 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
 A R T I S T B I O D A T A

Nasir Nadzir, 1989

Born in 1989 Sungai Petani, Kedah. Raised in Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang

Art Education
Self-taught

Group Exhibitions
2016 Nature Treasure, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Art for Nature, Penang

2017 Nurturing Nature, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Art for Nature, Penang
2017 Hom Art Trans: Young & New Exhibition, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
2017 Mix Hanging, Hin Bus Depot, Penang

2018 Year Of the Dog, The Art Gallery, Penang

2018 Tropical Fruit Fiesta, The Art Gallery, Penang
N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
2018 Saving Wildlives, World Wildlife Fund ( WWF ) Art for Nature, Penang
2018 International Watercolor Society ( IWS ) 1st International Watercolor Biennale, Kuala Lumpur

2019 We Art Together! Balik Pulau International Art Village, Wild Life Conservation, Penang
2019 Beginings, Open Studio Penang ( OSP 2019 ), Gudang Café, Penang
2019 The 8'' by 6'' Project I, Open Studio Penang ( OSP 2019 ), Project 26, Penang
2019 The 8” by 6” Project II, City Hall and penangpac, Penang
and Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Kuala Lumpur
2019 Kecik Kecik Touring Group Exhibition, Ming Art Gallery, Straits Quay and Hin Bus Depot, Penang

2020 BOXED IN ( one foot at a time ) : Online Preview

2020 Bamboo Orchid Virtual Workshop : One Subject, 9 Artists
2020 The Trishaw Project : Art Auction, Gusto Cafe, Penang
2020 BOXED IN ( one foot at a time ), Hin Bus Depot, Penang

Awards
2018 International Watercolor Society (IWS) 1st International Watercolor Biennale – won consolation prize of
36 national winners.
N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
 A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

Azmi Hussin Jason Wong Peter Ong

Choon Haw Jo Leen Yap Sharon Kow
Christine Das Jon Tan sumidik
Dato' Dr. Tan Chee Khuan Lusy Koror Tan Ee Lene
ERYN Cheng Maizul Affendy Tina Lee Degreef
Esther Geh Mr. Simon Geh Virginie Galy
Haryany Mohamad Ms. Janice Yeap Wanida Razali
Nizom Nadzir

Special thank you to Nasir Nadzir's family who were very supportive in making this exhibition possible.

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E
N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E

1989 - 2021

N A S I R N A D Z I R , I N R E M E M B R A N C E