“I observe the East with one eye and the West with the other. A ‘Third Eye’ which is my creative eye, combine the fragments of my observations into experiences of their own. Most of my works are humorous explorations of modern life.” – Askandar Unglehrt

Askandar earned himself a PhD from Sorbonne University, Paris, France. He majored in French and German language while his PhD dissertation was on the poetry of Jean Arp. Askandar creates collage works with images from advertising and mass media, manifesting the meaningful relationship among the elements. The unexpected, mysterious and grotesque are some of the visual components found on his works which transform reality into hyper-fiction. Askandar looks to the melodramatic world of film and TV entertainment as his favourite hunting ground, and parodies the absurd aspects of pompous rituals, hyperbolic statements, shallow love and imported culture. His works demonstrate how cultural interferences collide with modern myths and clichés, producing caricatures explaining the paradoxical aspects of life. His art is thought-provoking and liberating through the conciliatory quality of humour which turns sadness and anger into smiles.

Askandar’s most recent solo exhibition is “Walau Bagaimanapun…” (Suma Orientalis, 2017). Prior to that, he had solo exhibitions at RUPA Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1998), Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1997), Lehrerseminar Solothurn Switzerland (1985) and Gallery Wonchenblatt, Raves-burg, Germany (1984). His notable group exhibitions include “Landscapes in South-East Asian Art” (Singapore Art Museum, Singapore, 2000), “Paint On Print” (Petronas Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,1995), “5th ASEAN International Art Exhibition” (National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,1990), “Utara ’89” (Maybank Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1989), “Utara ’87”(Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1987) and “Open Art Show” (National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,1986).