The works of Jalaini Abu Hassan are deeply influenced by traditional roots, exploring a broad range of expressions with his personal observations on the environment. A fine combination of local culture and the incorporation of Western art narrative in the fervid landscape gives the composition an evocative edge. Jalaini adopts an experimental approach, weaving mysticism, folklore, and beliefs into an intriguing visual tale. Jalaini has a double Masters in Painting from the Slade School of Fine Art, London (1988) and the Pratt Institute, New York (1994) after his BFA at the Mara ITM in 1985. His first solos were abroad, Malaysia Hall in London (1987), and for drawing, New Gallery in New York (1994), before his home solo at ITM in 1996. Although it was his Lifeform solo at Taksu Kuala Lumpur in 1996 that saw a “repackaged” Jalaini, he was already making waves when he won the Major Award in the Young Contemporary Artist (BMS) competition in 1985 and followed this up with the Gold Award in the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank art competition in 1991. His other accolades include the 1st Prize in the Murray Hill drawing competition in New York in 1994 and the Rado Switzerland commission in 2005. Jalaini was awarded the National Academic Award for the visual arts category in 2019.