The exceptional rendition portrays a fabled warrior from fifteenth century Malacca. Executed on metal, the work shows Jebat’s heroic posture and unwavering spirit moulded into three-dimensional form. Mat Ali Mat Som focuses on the anatomy of the figure with extended arms and bent knees, encapsulated in a powerful stance, poised to fight with all the might. Usman Awang’s 1961 play titled The Death Of A Warrior portrayed Jebat as a valiant hero. The one-act play challenged traditional notions of the epic and conveys a universal theme, which according to Usman, “Jebat symbolizes all young people who bravely struggle for truth and justice even with their lives.” Like Raja Shahriman and Amron Omar dealing with silat, the battle is more internalised — an endless burning battle to resolve conflicts and achieve one’s end through brute force. His works are forged in an alloy of tin, aluminium, zinc and iron as well as natural stone pedestals that form an integral part of his work. Mat Ali obtained his BFA at UiTM in 1997. His recognition includes winning Third Prize in the Kuala Lumpur Sculpture Contest and an Honourable Mention in the Phillip Morris Malaysia Art Awards, Kuala Lumpur. Since 2009, Mat Ali had a number of shows at prominent galleries in Malaysia. He participated in Young and New at House of Matahati in 2009 and later that year had his solo Dendam Tak Sudah at Metro Fine Art. Other shows included Artriangle at National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur in 2010, while 2012 has been Ali’s busiest, showing his works at A Meter Diameter at House of Matahati, Lineage at Art Accent Gallery, Pameran Pelukis Selangor at Galeri Shah Alam as well as at the grand opening of Rosella Gallery in Singapore.