In 30 years of active, serious painting, Suzlee Ibrahim is at the head of the queue in moving up the ranks of Malaysia’s ermine abstractionists dominated by Abdul Latiff Mohidin, Yusof Ghani, Awang Damit Ahmad and Dato Tajuddin Ismail. This was amply borne out in his ‘30 Years Journey’ exhibition at The Art People Gallery in Klang, celebrating his 30th solo (since his first, Movement 1 Series, at the Shah Alam Gallery in 1998) on July 30-Sept 30 this year. As the name implies, the Melody Series resonates with musical strains of cheery lilts or sentimentality, depending on the mood at time of painting, intense or elegiac. His other series come with telling titles like Monsoon, Wetlands, Cenang, Poem or Summer – just to mention a few. It is a Long Way to Tipperary, so to speak, and Suzlee’s string of awards, residencies, solos and workshops speak for itself. Just a few to mention – Awards: Tokoh Seni: Anugerah Citra Kencana (UKM, 2011); Juror’s Award, Rasa Alam (UKM, 2012); Creative Excellence, Emaar Art Symposium (UAE, 2005); Excellent Service, Aswara (2010). Workshop: Tunisia Art Festival, Monastir (2010); Remise Academy, Brande, Denmark (2002). Art camp: Kicevo Art Colony, Macedonia. Not to mention his teaching dedication at the University Mara Institute of Technology, his alma mater, and Aswara.