ARTWORKS

Behind The Work of “Not for Sale”

Not for Sale | Ink on paper | 82 x 132 cm | 2023

Not for Sale is a captivating artwork that challenges our obsession with social media validation. It portrays a fallen shopping cart strewn with blue hearts, symbolising the fleeting nature of online approval. The abandoned cart represents the discarded pursuit of validation through superficial measures, leaving viewers to question the underlying meaning behind seeking “Likes” on social media. As the hearts lay scattered, the message becomes apparent: the value of “Likes” is ultimately hollow and purposeless. This artwork urges the viewers to contemplate the authenticity of their digital interactions.

Behind The Story

In today’s digital age, the pursuit of social media likes has become ingrained in our online behavior. However, the value attached to these likes is often superficial and devoid of genuine meaning. This sentiment is echoed by numerous studies and real-life anecdotes, such as the story of a social media influencer who amassed thousands of likes but still felt unfulfilled and disconnected from reality.

Despite the fleeting satisfaction derived from receiving likes, they ultimately fail to fulfill deeper emotional needs or contribute to meaningful connections. Instead, they perpetuate a cycle of validation-seeking behavior, reinforcing shallow interactions and superficial relationships. As we navigate the digital landscape, it’s essential to recognize the hollowness of social media likes and prioritize authentic connections and experiences over virtual approval.

Concept

The artwork originally featured two carts but underwent a modification as the first cart was removed to enhance the visibility of the heart icon. The concept for the artwork initially centered around a bin rather than a cart, but then decided to set aside the idea in favor of a more promising plan for future projects.

3D Process

The artwork, derived from a 3D rendering using Blender for the drawing reference, underwent an extensive three-day creation process, involving repeated three-hour sessions to generate the physics simulations. My experimentation with materials for the heart icon included plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel, with the final choice of stainless steel influenced by the highest votes on my Instagram story.

It takes approximately one hour to generate the physics simulation for the heart to fill the cart using my old 2017 iMac.

Drawing Process

It took me about 20 days to finish this artwork. I worked on a pretty big piece of paper, about 82x132 cm, and used a technique called scumbling. Basically, it’s about layering different shades of blue ink pigments. This time, I went all out with the blue ink, using it more than I ever did in any of my previous works. It turned out pretty cool, though. The blues gave the piece a really deep and textured look. Each stroke added something new, and after a while, it all came together. The painting ended up looking vibrant and dynamic, with a lot of depth to it. Overall, I’m really happy with how it turned out. It’s not just a painting to me; it’s a reminder of what I can do when I really put my mind to it.

Award

This artwork was originally created for my solo exhibition and was never intended for any competition. However, I decided to submit it to test my luck. To my surprise, I won the UOB Painting of the Year 2023 in the Highly Commended award under the Emerging Artist category. I have entered the UOB Painting of the Year competition multiple times before but have never won, only being shortlisted once in 2018. For me, the UOB Painting of the Year is one of the most challenging art competitions for artists to succeed in. They emphasize originality, mastery of techniques, expressiveness, relevance, and contemporary themes. These criteria push artists to their limits, encouraging the creation of truly innovative and impactful works.

UOB announces winners for its 2023 UOB Painting of the Year awards ceremony at Sentul Pavilion KL.

Display

This artwork has been exhibited three times: at the UOB Painting of the Year winner’s opening at Sentul Pavilion KL, the UOB Painting of the Year showcase at GMBB KL, and my debut solo exhibition at G13 Gallery. It was the first artwork to be reserved during my solo exhibition.

The artwork is framed with a white frame and features anti-reflective glass. This type of glass is exceptional, as it achieves high light transmission, minimal reflection, and accurate color reproduction.

The artwork was showcased for the first time during the UOB Painting of the Year winner’s opening at Sentul Pavilion KL.

UOB Painting of the Year winners’ showcase at GMBB KL.

The artwork was exhibited for the third time during my debut solo exhibition at G13 Gallery.

Art Print

the art prints are available for purchase at just RM29.00 each. Visit my website at www.noorzahran.com/artprints to see art prints available for purchase.

The art prints are part of a limited edition of 100 pieces, and each print is individually numbered and signed by me.

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