Highly expressive and unique, Yusof Ghani illustrates the power and elements of masks using bold dynamic colours and tactile lines. While some may look at Balinese masks, Yusof Ghani’s source is closer home, the Kenyah and Kayan masks (hudoq), with talismanic and curative properties. This was triggered by a visit to Sarawak in 1988 and 1991. There is another aspect or phase to his Topeng, and that started after his South African visit in 1994. An established artist hitting 70 next year, Yusof Ghani is also an academician (Universiti ITM), gallerist (Tapak Gallery) and collector. Through Tapak, he organised the Shah Alam Bienniale starting in 2016. He was doing illustrations and graphic designs for 10 years before a scholarship changed his life. He studied for his BFA at the George Mason University (1981), and then MFA at the Catholic University in Washington, USA (1983). His notable series were Tari, Topeng, Wayang, Hijau, Segerak, Biring, Wajah and Ombak. In 2017, he had a solo, Segerak VI – Transcendent Figures, in London. Segerak VIII, the final episode of Segerak Series, was organised by Curate Henry Butcher, Galeri Prima, and Pinkguy Gallery in August 2019, and received well response.