Created as part of the Current Events series in 1999, Hakim (meaning judge) is among the explored themes depicting a ferocious expressive portrayal of a figure associated with justice. The features of the subject are highly stylized, ruptured with distortion and composed of thoughtful lines varying in weight and gesture that unifies the whole. The canvas is painted dominantly in vibrant primary colours of red, blue, yellow and white, outlined in a contrasting dark shade of black. Executed with force and skill, the style of caricature bears resemblance to French artist Honoré Daumier, whose is renowned for sharp commentary on social and political observations in the 19th century. Zulkifli Yusoff’s oeuvre of work encompasses drawings, paintings and installations, which aims to reveal contemporary issues of power and identity. He describes his work a “dialogue on nation building and the making of a people”. He received his Diploma in Art & Design (Fine Art) at MARA Institute of Technology Shah Alam, Malaysia. (1989), and completed his Master of Arts at Manchester Polytechnic, UK (1991). He became the second artist to represent Malaysia in an exhibition titled Modernities and Memories: Recent Works from the Islamic World at the prestigious Venice Biennale, Italy (1997). He also exhibited at the 1st Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia (1993). Rukunegara 1, an installation made up of 6 pieces consisting of fibreglass organic shapes was displayed at If The World Changed, Singapore Biennale (2013). His major solo exhibitions include The Power, NN Gallery, Kuala Lumpur (1996), Brave New Art, The Art Gallery, Penang (1996), Powerful Dialogue, The Art Gallery, Penang (2000), Icons, Wei Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur (2008), Negara Ku, National Gallery, Kuala Lumpur (2010), Writing Power, NUS Museum, Singapore (2011), and Rukunegara 2: Voice, THEO Art Projects, Artstage Singapore (2013). His works are collected by international institutions and corporations such as Bank Negara Malaysia, Singapore Art Museum, National Art Gallery, Malaysia, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum, Penang Art Gallery, Kedah State Art Gallery, and esteemed private collections.