Sarkasi Said | |
---|---|
Born | 27 March 1940 |
Died | 14 October 2021 (aged 81) |
Nationality | Singaporean |
Education | Tanglin Tinggi Malay Primary School (1946–1948); Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah (1948–1949); Duchess Primary School (1950–1951); Beatty Secondary School (1952–1956) |
Known for | Batik, painting, watercolor painting |
Movement | Contemporary art |
Awards | 2020: Cultural Medallion |
Sarkasi bin Said (27 March 1940–14 October 2021), best known as Sarkasi Said and also known by the artist name Tzee, was a contemporary Singaporean batik artist known for abstract batik paintings and his use of unconventional wax-resist techniques.[1] Sarkasi experimented with batik techniques since young, later travelling extensively from the 1960s throughout locations such as Indonesia to develop his skills.[1]
Sarkasi's artworks have been internationally exhibited in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, and the US, and his works can be found in public and private collections, including the National Museum of Singapore collection.[1][2] In 2003, he created a 103-metre batik painting which set a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest batik painting.[3] Sarkasi has also designed several batik shirts for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to wear during national events.[2] Sarkasi promoted the technique of Malay batik painting by holding various art workshops, also volunteering as an art teacher at a drug rehabilitation centre.[2] Besides visual art, Sarkasi was also involved in acting in Malay dramas and films.[citation needed]
In 2020, Sarkasi was awarded the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to visual art in Singapore.[4]
On 14 October 2021, Sarkasi died of kidney failure.[2][5]