Anniketyni Madian Malaysian, b. 1986
Tubuh Penjaga Jalai (The Body That Guards The Path)
Mixed Local Hardwood (Cengal, Nyatuh, Belian, Merbau)
50 x 90 x 32 cm
Copyright The Artist
Further images
This sculptural animal form references the totemic connection between humans and nature in Borneo, where animals are seen as spiritual guardians, symbols of strength, and carriers of ancestral wisdom. The...
This sculptural animal form references the totemic connection between humans and nature in Borneo, where animals are seen as spiritual guardians, symbols of strength, and carriers of ancestral wisdom. The body is broken into angular planes and rhythmic carvings, reminiscent of traditional tattoo patterns, shield designs, and woodcarving techniques found across Sarawak cultures. These markings turn the animal into a vessel of memory rather than a realistic figure, symbolizing resilience, protection, and continuity. The piece reflects a worldview in which human identity is intertwined with the forest and its creatures, emphasizing coexistence over dominance.