“Most of my works is to search the soul through the purest inner sense. Life is life, full of beauty, suffering and secrets. It is the inner beauty of time, space and mass.” – Nizar, the Pondering Mask Man. This abstract composition by Nizar Kamal Ariffin features a horizontal image — layers of red, yellow and orange with a hint of blue in the background – with outlines of anonymous faces swiftly drawn with varying intensity. Framed in the middle of a square canvas by a void, which is painted black, the configuration is Nizar’s way of expressing his visual trickery. Working only on square formats, which symbolises fairness and circular shape, which reflects the balance in life, Nizar’s obsession with masks is not associated with religion, ritual or ethnic culture. “Mask as a mask”, the answer to his unending quest of Who, What, Why, When and How. To Nizar, “the process of searching is not to unravel the truth or untruth. Conscience and consciousness are the way to self-revelation.” Nizar Kamal Ariffin joined SENIKA, the State of Art Society in Kuantan, Pahang, in 1984. He started painting while working with the Ministry of Culture and Youth and was appointed as their Resident Artist at Taman Seni Budaya, Pahang. In 1986, Nizar pursued his studies in fine arts and graphics at University Sains of Malaysia. He started painting professionally after graduation. He moved to Kuala Lumpur in 1993 and painted at the Central Market at the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia’s house while freelancing mainly in graphics and print works. Nizar began painting full-time and eventually joined the Conlay Artist Colony at Craft Complex Malaysia in 1998.