Alun-Alun Ke Marista (Path to Marista, 1996-2002) is a logical extension from Awang Damit’s Essence of Culture (EOC) series from 1985 to 1995 detailing in abstract forms memories of childhood from man-made utensils and the natural environment at Kuala Penyu, Sabah and upriver. Here the triple boat shapes are also symbols of the pohon hayat (tree of life), fish and shield with flourishes of heroic reds. The Marista works are more refined and elegiac from the rougher, coarse and even sharper edged Essense of Culture series.