Azman’s photography work 'Last Train To Learning' (2019), which was captured at the Dabong KTM train station in Kelantan. Photo: Azman Karib Ibrahim
The path one chooses in life is, more often than not, bereft by difficulty and adversity. So much so that it can lead one to stray and even give up travelling on such a dark road in search of something brighter; more hopeful, better.
Perak-born Azman Karib Ibrahim had spent the better part of his life in the corporate world. That was his job.
But a near fatal experience in 2014 changed all that.
Azman was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, an inflammatory disorder of the skin triggered by an allergic reaction to certain pharmaceutical drugs. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and, as his condition was so severe (imagine having to sleep sitting upright holding on to the tray table because the skin on your back had completely peeled off among other things), he didn’t have much hope of surviving.
However, things turned around when he received the crucial treatment known as IVIG or Intravenous Immunoglobin therapy. Azman was given a new lease on life and that’s when he realised that he was going to leave the corporate world behind and dedicate himself to photography instead.
‘I can say that my style of photography is more emotive,’ says Azman, posing in front of a work titled 'Rhythm And Hues #1' (2023). Photo: Rizal Johan
Almost 10 years later, Azman’s personal journey of his near-death experience is encapsulated an exhibition titled META-Morph, which is on display now at Kokopelli@Templer, Petaling Jaya until Jan 17.
The exhibition is hosted by the Centre of Photographic Arts (CPA) and was launched recently.
Unfortunately, just a few months ago Azman was admitted to hospital after complaining of chest pain and has to undergo heart surgery next year.
The funny thing is, you wouldn’t even notice any of his medical issues whether past or present, if you were to meet him today.
He looked hearty (pun intended) and healthy just like any regular 62-year-old man and was very forthcoming during an interview with him.
An atmospheric piece from 2015 titled 'Smoke And Serendipity.' Photo: Azman Karib Ibrahim
It was a Monday, a day after the successful launch of META-Morph, which drew a huge crowd of family, friends, photography enthusiasts and collectors, acclaimed Malaysian photographers as well as National Literature Laureate Datuk Dr Siti Zainon Ismail.
We are back at Kokopelli, which is a cafe and a gallery and it is emptier and quieter now. Azman is seated at a table with friends. He beckons me over and he begins by talking about his journey into photography and how he changed after his life-threatening experience.
Azman was first introduced to film photography by his father who first gifted him with a Kodak Instamatic and then he later used his father’s Olympus Pen-F.
However, Azman would take photography seriously as late as 2010 with a digital camera in hand.
He sought to be unique with his photography by not mimicking the style of others and wanted to have a voice of his own. And then he fell very ill.
Azman’s ‘dance series’ is inspired by the late painter Khalil Ibrahim’s vibrant works on canvas. Photo: Azman Karib Ibrahim
“I was struck by Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in 2014 and I almost died. There was no hope for me but the doctor said there was a cure, if I respond to it well enough, and that was IVIG. It was a very expensive treatment but luckily I had the support of family and friends.
“When they injected me with IVIG, which is donor plasma from other people, I felt when I recovered – and it took me two years to recover – I had a heightened sense possibly something like Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
“There are instances when I go out or I’m travelling, moments present themselves to me. You can say it’s the will of God but it presents itself to me and I’m able to capture it,” he said.
Azman gave the example of one of his works which is part of the META-Morph exhibition titled Last Train To Learning and how this moment, of a schoolboy running to catch the train, presented itself to him.
“I was involved with promoting Dabong in Kelantan through photography some years ago and there was nobody around the train station but this boy who was the last passenger on the platform running to catch the train.”
A view of Azman's exhibition at the Kokopelli@Templer gallery space in Petaling Jaya. Photo: Rizal Johan
Another example which is not featured in the exhibition was when he wanted to take a street photograph of an old man riding a bicycle in Penang. The road was busy with traffic but he waited for the shot and then when it was time to take the shot, the traffic had suddenly stopped and he captured that idyllic moment.
One could say he was at the right place at the right time but there is more to it than that. For Azman, it’s how people respond to his photographs when they see it and how it, in turn inspires them.
“Someone wrote a piece of poetry after seeing a photo I had taken. And in the case of the schoolboy and the train, the was a group of college students at the exhibition who really took to it and they were excited and they wanted to go to Dabong by train. It’s really very emotional.
“To me, even if I don’t sell any of my works, my photos have reached the hearts of people. So I can say that my style of photography is more emotive.”
Azman however does need funds for his heart surgery next year and this is another aspect of this exhibition. The CPA and Kokopelli will not be taking any percentage from the sales of his works.
Three other photographers: Eric Peris, Grace Ho and Hariz Hamdan will contribute their works for Azman and all proceeds will go directly to him.
Visitors to the exhibition can also contribute by purchasing the catalogue priced at RM35.
There are 10 works altogether at the exhibition and was curated in a qualitative sense rather than a quantitative one. Half of the photos are darkly lit while the rest, consisting of traditional Malay dancers, are bathed in a golden light.
The photos represent Azman’s journey of despair to hope. A metamorphosis.
META-Morph is showing at Kokopelli@Templer, 87 Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya until Jan 17. Viewings are by appointment only. Contact: 019-267 7666.
