Dato’ Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir

Dato’ Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir, born in 1948 in Alor Star, Kedah, Malaysia, is a prominent figure in the Malaysian art scene. Renowned for her innovative approach to contemporary abstract art, her work is infused with influences from Asian and Islamic cultural traditions.

Beginning her artistic journey as a student at the Mara Institute of Technology in 1967, Sharifah Fatimah continued her education abroad, graduating with first-class honors from Reading University in England in 1973. She furthered her studies in Fine Arts at the Pratt Institute in New York, earning a Master’s degree in 1976 under the prestigious John D Rockefeller III Fund fellowship.

Throughout her career, Sharifah Fatimah has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Major Award from the Salons Malaysia in 1979 and the Bakat Muda Sezaman award in 1981. Her artworks have been showcased in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Singapore Art Museum.

Sharifah Fatimah’s artistic genre can be described as contemporary abstract art, characterized by a unique fusion of Asian and Islamic cultural influences. Her ability to seamlessly blend these diverse elements has solidified her position as a masterful artist, making significant contributions to the Malaysian art scene.

EDUCATIONS

1978

Master’s in Fine Art, Pratt Institute New York, U.S.

1976

BA Fine Art (1st Class Hons), Reading University, United Kingdom.

1971

Diploma in Fine Art, MARA Institute of Technology, Malaysia.

Solo Exhibitions

2021

Tales of Solace, A Solo Exhibition by Dato’ Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir, G13 Gallery, Malaysia.

2020

Tales of Solace, Pipal Fine Art, Malaysia.

2019

Art Expo Malaysia Plus 2019 with G13 Gallery, Matrade, Malaysia.
G13 Project Room: Dato’ Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir, G13 Gallery, Malaysia.

2018

Dato’ Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir, Art Expo Malaysia 2018 with G13 Gallery, Matrade, Malaysia.

2017

Song of Eucalyptus with Segaris Art Center, Malaysia.

2015

Recent Works by Dato’ Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir, The Edge Galerie, Malaysia.

2011

Recent Works with Rafiee Abdul Ghani, Art Folio Singapore.

2008

Notes of a Journey: 40@ 60, Art Folio Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2007

Garden of the Heart, NN Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2005

Art Space Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2001

Gallery Art Point, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Joy is the Theme, Green Art Gallery, Dubai, UAE.

1999

Art folio, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1998

Avant Garde Gallery, Alor Star Kedah, Malaysia.

1997

Joy is the Theme, NN Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1996

Takashimaya Gallery, Singapore.
Touch the Earth 2, Galeri Citra, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1992

Touch the Earth, Balai Seni Malayan Banking, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1990

Galeri Citra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1989

PERNAS International Building, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1987

Galeri Citra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1985

Alpha Gallery, Singapore.

1984

Gallery 231, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1983

Nursiyah & Other Images, Australia.
High Commission, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1980

Wisma Luke, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1978

Institute Gallery, Pratt Institute, New York, U.S.
Penang State Art Gallery & Museum, Malaysia.

1972

Alpha Gallery, Singapore.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITION

2024

CIMB Artober Art & Soul with G13 Gallery, MITEC, Malaysia
Solidarity for Palestine, Segaris Art Center, Malaysia
Now & Then, Galeri Puteh, Malaysia

2023

G13 @ 13, G13 Gallery, Malaysia
The Artist’s Studio: Exploring the Workspace of 17 Malaysian Artists, G13 Gallery, Malaysia
CIMB Artober Art & Soul with G13 Gallery, MITEC, Malaysia
HAWWA, Galeri Puteh, Malaysia

2022

CIMB Artober Art & Soul with G13 Gallery, Ken TTDI, Malaysia
CIMB Hotel Art Fair with G13 Gallery, Element Hotel, Malaysia
Art For All by Art Expo with G13 Gallery, GMBB KL, Malaysia

2021

The Moderns Across Generations, G13 Gallery, Malaysia.

2020

Sedekad: G13 10th Anniversary Exhibition, G13 Gallery, Malaysia

2019

Art Expo with G13 Gallery, MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

AWARDS

2007

Anugerah Darjah Dato’ Setia Di Raja Kedah oleh DYMM Sultan Kedah

2006

Anugerah Sijil Penghargaan Kerajaan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman Sebagai Wanita Kedah Cemerlang diatas Bakti dan Khidmat Cemerlang yang telah disumbangkan kepada Negara

2003

Third Prize Second Biennial of Contemporary Painting of the Islamic World, Museum of Contemporary Art Tehran, Iran.

1987

British Council Fellowship

1981

Minor Award Young Contemporaries, National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

1979

Major Award Salon Malaysia, National Art Gallery, Malaysia.

1976

University Prize Reading University, England.

1972

Minor Award Malaysian Landscape, Exhibition National Art Gallery, Malaysia.