I'm Going To Need You More Than You Need Me by Haslin Ismail


I’m Going To Need You More Than You Need Me

"Taken from the title of a key work in this portfolio of drawings, I'm Going To Need You More Than You Need Me explores my determination, obsession, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty towards a variety of experiences and current issues. 

Ranging from landscapes of nature, to the Palestine-Israel conflict, this collection of work touches on subjects that have impacted, inspired, and affected me on a personal level. I believe that through these works, I have drawn inspiration from visions and memories of my past and present, as well as musings, concerns, and aspirations of the future." - Haslin Ismail




On The Other Side Of Fear Lies Freedom
Indian ink and white acrylic ink on mounted calico fabric
52 x 55 cm / 2021
RM 3,800

This series of work began with Haslin utilizing forgotten materials found around his studio. Finding several pieces of raw canvases made out of calico fabric from 2017, he decided to experiment with this surface, using the dry brush technique and Indian ink. In this artwork, the artist uses his favourite method of drawing, known as "automatic drawing", a practice that can be described as "expressing the subconscious".

"I draw first, observe later," said Haslin, as he explained how this artwork came to be. 

His observation of the finished piece was a personal one. The hands that can be found reaching out from the path symbolises his desire to grab on to an opportunity to do something exciting or fulfilling post-lockdown. Perhaps, it is the urge to reach for the stars, or the motivation to pursue greater challenges. Evidently, "On The Other Side Of Fear Lies Freedom" portrays a search for something more.





Beyond A Doubt Truth Bears The Same Relation 
To Falsehood As Light To Darkness
Indian ink and white acrylic ink on mounted calico fabric
52 x 55 cm / 2021
RM 3,800

This work observes a landscape, depicting life which eventually fades away with time, or unnatural causes. While the artist does not consider his work to be a form of activism for the environment, the condition of nature in this landscape reminds him of the hardships that are currently faced by the nation due to the pandemic. He reflects on the livelihood of many which are threatened by loss of jobs and the struggling economy. 

However, with the rain comes the rainbow, and with the night comes the moon. Illuminated by white acrylic ink, is a skeletal figure of a dead tree which transforms into a translucent and angelic being. Is it a sign of hope, or the light at the end of the tunnel of the current state of our world?



I’m Going To Need You More Than You Need Me
Indian ink and white acrylic ink on mounted calico fabric
52 x 55 cm / 2021
RM 3,800 // Reserved

In this drawing, we are presented with a reflection of the artist's personal feelings during this lockdown. Depicting his anxiety towards the pandemic, the vaccine, and the future, he encapsulates his raging uncertainty and unsettled emotions within this work. Featuring a variety of insects ranging from praying mantises, caterpillars, ants, and wasps, he has created a scene which depicts a frantic and chaotic atmosphere over a precious discovery. This is perhaps symbolic to our desperation for a solution to the virus that has plagued us. 



Untitled (You Will Soon Learn To Appreciate Me) 
Indian ink and white acrylic ink on mounted calico fabric
38 x 37 cm / 2021
RM 3,000

Finding the explosion from bombs inflicted on Palestine incredibly tragic, the artist found reflections of what he describes as tortured souls and creatures formed by the shapes of the thick, black smoke. This artwork illustrates homes in Palestine overwhelmed by attacks of terror and violence. With heavy suggestions of death and greed amidst the waves of smoke, we are given a glimpse of the conflict from the eyes of the artist.



You Are Afraid Of Me Because I Talk Like A Sphinx
Indian ink and white acrylic ink on mounted calico fabric
38 x 37 cm / 2021
RM 3,000

With the years of turmoil and war between Palestine and Israel, the conflict between the two countries had blown up over social media during the lockdown. This had prompted the artist to make several drawings as a tribute to the situation. Drawing inspiration from images of bomb explosions inflicted on Palestine, the subject of his work is guided by forms shaped by the smoke. 

In this drawing, we see a creature with similar characteristics to a Sphinx, a Greek mythology creature, seated on two houses. The regal creature is made out of elements that symbolizes themes of corruption, greed, and tragedy. Scattered on the rooftops by the feet of the Sphinx are stones, symbolic to the weapons used by the Palestinians to fight back and protect their home.



Black Death Ashes
Indian ink and white acrylic ink on mounted calico fabric
38 x 37 cm / 2021
RM 3,000

Drawing inspiration from smoke resulting from bomb explosions in Palestine, the artist has depicted a scene of terror inflicted on homes resulting from the ongoing war. Within the smoke that comes out of a burning house, we see a hand reaching out to the sky, almost as though pleading for mercy. Floating in the sky are representations of figures holding political power, symbolizing an attempt to seize the land through violence and injustice.



Triple Self-Portrait
Indian ink and white acrylic ink on mounted calico fabric
42 x 30 cm / 2021
RM 1,600

"Triple Self-portrait" is the product of the artist's visual contemplation of his own self in the mirror. Taking the form of his past, present, and future self, there are the three figures present in the drawing. The skinnier figure on the right is an echo of his younger self. Combined with characteristics of the human anatomy and a praying mantis (an insect which the artist claims as his alter ego), the figure in the center resembles his current self. Finally, the hazy figure at the far left is a depiction of the artist himself as a man who has aged. 



Abu and His Companions
Indian ink and white acrylic ink on mounted calico fabric
29  X 21 cm / 2021
RM 1,000

In "Abu and His Companions", the artist tells a story of his cat named Abu and his antics. "His companions" refer to two birds which the artist had observed were exhibiting behaviour of wanting to attack Abu. Merely observing, and occasionally entertaining the behaviour of the birds, the artist explained how an hour later, both birds were found dead. 

Treating the birds like his playthings - before he killed them, he toyed with them. In his attempt to capture his amusing and cunning character within this drawing, the artist also highlights Abu's nightly disappearing acts through the dark background and a moon that lights the night sky.




Born in 1984, Haslin Ismail hails from Johor, Malaysia. Having obtained his Diploma in Fine Arts at UITM Malacca in 2005, he then went on to pursue his Bachelors in Fine Art at UITM Selangor. An accomplished artist, he has actively participated in group exhibitions since 2003 both locally and internationally. 

To date, he has had six solo showcases with his most recent exhibition titled ROT at HOM Art Trans, Kuala Lumpur (2020). The featured works were based on his experience during a two months residency program called Npo S-AIR in Sapporo, Japan. 

Selected achievements to his name include Jury’s Pick, Art Against AIDS Karex Competition (2019). Silver Award, UOB Painting of the Year (2019),Finalist of Bakat Muda Sezaman 2016, among many others. His work remains in the collection of the National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur), Petronas Gallery (Kuala Lumpur), UOB Bhd (Kuala Lumpur), as well as in several private collections