Topeng (Mask) series by Yusof Ghani was conceived after an inspirational trip to Sarawak in 1988 and 1991 where he was captivated by the mask rituals of ethnic Kenyah and Kayan whose villages are located two hours outside the city of Kuching. The idea to explore deeper into the mystical and mysterious world of masks first transpired upon his frequent visits to the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur. Yusof Ghani was awarded a scholarship to study at George Mason University, USA. He graduated with a BFA (Graphic Art) in 1981 and pursued his MFA (Fine Art) at Catholic University in Washington in 1983. Before his American studies, he had worked as an artist-illustrator (Agriculture Ministry, 1967), an instructor (Fisheries Institute, Penang, 1971) and a graphic artist (RTM, 1977). On his return, he lectured at the Universiti MARA Institute of Technology. In 2014, he unveiled a new body of work named Ombak, which was showcased alongside previous series at Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur. Most recently, his artworks was displayed at an exhibition titled Shared Passion (2015) showcasing his old and new works from his personal collection alongside Datuk Seri Kalimullah Hassan’s collection.