Across many Southeast Asian cultures, the white elephant is regarded as an emblem of royal authority, distinguished by its pale reddish-brown skin. In this majestic composition, the artist portrays a herd of elephants travelling across an expansive landscape, their monumental forms convey strength. In the foreground, the presence of a skull introduces a poignant counterpoint to the living herd, reflecting on the notion of time and the survival within the natural world. The white elephant, revered as a sacred and mystical creature, may be interpreted as a powerful metaphor for faith when confronted with the extraordinary. For all his redoubtable skills on paper and canvas, Professor Zakaria Ali had few solos, the third being his Retrospective (1971-1999) at The Art Gallery Penang in 1999. It says much that his first solo was at the Pan Art Gallery, Fondren Square, Houston in 1969, followed by a solo on his return, in 1982, at the Universiti Sains Malaysia, where he taught for many years before moving on to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and then Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Tanjung Malim. His credentials are impeccable, with a double Masters: BFA Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Massachusetts;  Masters (Art) Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, 1973; Masters (Art History), Universidad de las Americanas, Mexico (1974); PhD Harvard University (1984-1988). He was awarded the Tokoh Novel in 2006. His books include Empangan and Villa Maya (both novels); Islamic Art In Southeast Asia (1994); Alif Ba Ta: The Life and Times of Ahmad Khalid Yusof (2004); and Abdullah Ariff. Reference Dr. Zakaria Ali Retrospective at The Art Gallery (The Art Gallery, Penang, 1999)