Listen to the sound of distant rumble. The day’s work done. Another day and time to trudge back with the catch from the sea or produce from the farm. And succour and rest. Tomorrow is another day. The Sisa Semusim Series of Marista, which means reminiscing about the past, seems to have struck a chord. From Essence Of Culture to Payarama and now, GarisMega, Awang Damit Ahmad reminisces and charts his journey into self, a diary of a struggle, of hardship and triumph, in coming to terms with the natural elements that dictate the lives of farmers and fishermen, with different approaches and manifestations. In 2002, 70 of his Marista works were shown at the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. Associate Professor Dr. Muliyadi Mahamood wrote: “The various steps of his (Awang Damit’s) life’s journey form his subject matter which not only reflects his background as a farmer and fisherman’s son, but also recalls characteristics of the traditional culture and natural environment of his background.” Awang Damit Ahmad was the Best Student at Universiti ITM in 1983, when he was 27. Though a comparative late-starter in art, he was selected among the established names in Malaysia’s major exhibition in the United States, the Contemporary Paintings of Malaysia exhibition at the Asia-Pacific Museum in Pasadena in 1988. That year, he won 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Banks Association art competition. He won the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman in 1984. He studied for his MFA at the Catholic University in Washington DC, United States, 1989-1990. In 1992, Awang Damit truly catapulted into the art mainstream with his Major Award (Painting) triumph in the 3rd Salon Malaysia III for his work, Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in Petronas Collection). He also won Honourable Mentions in the Philip Morris Asean Art Award in 1994 and 1995.