10/01/2026
Cover of KL Lifestyle January 2026
Syed Ahmad Jamal
Strokes of Malaysia's National Art Laureate
When we think of venerable artists in Malaysia, there is no one more suited to the title than Datuk Syed Ahmad bin Jamal Sahil (1929–2011). The late artist is a man who has achieved a great many feats in his illustrious life, including but not limited to: a pioneer of the abstract expressionist movement in Malaysia, the creator of the National Visual Arts Gallery’s logo, as well the logo for the political party People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat). For all his invaluable contributions to the local development of arts and culture, he is the first artist to receive the title National Laureate.