Everything all around becomes parched, desiccated, shrivelled while the soil is starved of moisture and nutrients. The dryness can also cause wildfires, dust storms and is a bane to the health of man and animals. This lack of atmospheric circulation is a farmer's dread, for without the elixir water, all the earlier efforts will come to zilch. There will be little harvest but thorns from this hydrometeorological spell. Such tenuous harmony between Man and Nature lies at the crux of Awang Damit Ahmad's maiden Essence Of Culture (E.O.C., Intipati Budaya) repertoire, with his own brand of symbolisms related to land and life. But it's not all dour lament, but stoic struggles to overcome the obstacles from a wellspring of Hope and Faith. E.O.C. dates between 1985 to 1995. Awang Damit Ahmad became an artist by accident, being a late starter at the age of 27, when he studied at the Mara Institute of Technology, after working several other jobs. He had already started on his Essence Of Culture (Intipati Budaya) series in 1985 and later studied for his Master's at the Catholic University in Washington, and continued the series on his return in 1990 until 1996. His clutch of prizes includes 2nd Prize in the Malaysian Bank Association art competition, the Minor Award in the Bakat Muda Sezaman in 1984, and the Painting Award (and Consolation Prize, too) at the Salon Malaysia III at the National Art Gallery in 1991 for his Nyanyian Petani Gunung (now in Petronas Collection). He also taught at his alma mater, Universiti ITM, retiring as Associate Professor in May 2011. In 2022, his E.O.C. (Perjalanan Malam, 1989) and E.O.C. (Ingatan Waktu Kecil, 1985) were sold for RM212,800 and RM218,400, in the Henry Butcher Art Auction November edition and July edition, respectively. In the Henry Butcher March 2021 Art Auction, his E.O.C. (Apa Khabar Ledang, 1992) was sold for RM224,000. Today, Awang Damit Ahmad is one of the most important artists in Malaysia.