Forty years already? From the nostalgic tinges of Ingatan Waktu Kecil (Childhood Memory) in 1985, Awang Damit Ahmad unleashed his seminal Essence Of Culture (E.O.C.), or Intipati Budaya series which ran for a decade until 1995/1996. EOC became Awang's most iconic visual feast of the challenges and affinity between Man and Nature, the daily ritual of struggles on land as a farmer and in the sea as a fisherman, bitter-sweet reminisces of his growing-up years in impoverished Kuala Penyu in Sabah. All recollected in the mist of memory. In this work four years into its evolution, blue geometric shapes overwhelm a topography of dull grey and organic shapes, with doorway poles of red and a semi-circular carapace on top. The dash of brighter colours is a sea-change from the more dour veneer of brownish mud-flats and greenery. Was this work done during his Masters study at the Catholic University in Washington? For one who graduated in Fine Art at the relative late age of 27, Awang Damit Ahmad is a natural. Topping his studies at the Mara Institute of Technology and then at Catholic University. Most brilliant was his clutch of prestigious awards: Major Award in Salon Malaysia III and also a Consolation Prize (1991), the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman (1984), 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition (1988), and the Gold Award in the Ecorea Jeonbuk Biennale and the Olympic Fine Art in London, both in 2012. As an academician, he retired at the University ITM as Associate Professor in May 2011 after first teaching in 1985. His prices in local and foreign art auction houses have been soaring consistently.