Top-spinning contest is very popular in Kelantan where the artist was born. Skills and dedication are required to master these cultural activities. It’s always about which top can last the longest to emerge as the winner. As depicted by the artist the crowd seems enthusiastic in learning the techniques and are eager to win the competitive game. Through the skillful use of musculoskeletal renditions of the human anatomy, the artist shows a group of men enjoying their favourite pastime activity. Nonetheless, it used to be a common hobby back in the days. Now, it seem like a rare sport as the times has changed. Ismail was also adept with watercolours which he learnt from school-teacher Nik Mahmood from 1954 to 1955 and later Khalil Ibrahim although he is better known for his batiks. He was also a musician, with a Grade V music certificate in violin from the Royal School of Music (London) and worked part-time as a musician at Radio Televisyen Malaysia Kota Bharu. He became a graphic designer cum illustrator for Syarikat Percetakan Dian in Kota Bharu, from 1979 to 1991. He was a member of the Angkatan Pelukis SeMalaysia as well as the Persatuan Senilukis Kelantan (Peseni).