At his debut solo exhibition, 'Merintis Bahang', held at Chetak 17 gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Fuad (right) takes a moment to pose with a fellow firefighter. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
Former fireman Fuad Pathil, once accustomed to braving blazing infernos, now draws from those intense experiences to create evocative block print artworks, merging resilience and creativity.
The 62-year-old Perak native, who began his career as a firefighter in 1994, spent years navigating emergencies – ranging from delicate rescues of stranded cats in treetops to battling the relentless fury of raging forest fires.
Fuad, a lifelong art enthusiast, now uses his craft to capture vivid snapshots of firefighting situations drawn from his own experiences – offering a glimpse into moments the average person would never encounter firsthand.
Visitors can explore Fuad’s works at his debut solo exhibition, Merintis Bahang (Striving Through The Heat), on display at the Chetak 17 – a printmaking gallery and community hub – in Kuala Lumpur until Dec 7.
The 'hero complex'
This exhibition marks his most comprehensive collection yet, showcasing 23 intricate prints and detailed sketches.
The pieces, a blend of abstraction and narrative, radiate emotion and highlight Fuad’s remarkable precision and craftsmanship.
An early print work from Fuad titled 'Steam Rescue' (2015) is seen at the 'Merintis Bahang' exhibition. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
“In my younger days, I had a bit of a ‘hero complex,’ always eager to prove myself in extreme situations. Now, in retirement, I have plenty of experiences to reflect on, and art has become my most meaningful way to express them,” said Fuad, a self-taught artist, in a recent interview at Chetak 17.
“As the exhibition’s title suggests, I wanted the artworks to capture the courage and intensity it takes to be a firefighter – stepping into burning buildings where others would instinctively flee, pushing through the chaos to put the flames out,” he added.
The exhibition’s recent opening also provided a platform for active firefighters and the public to come together, sharing stories of the challenging situations they have faced.
Fuad, beaming with pride, was also delighted to see his firefighting colleagues visiting a gallery for the first time.
After years of honing his craft, Fuad is finally debuting his full body of work at the Merintis Bahang exhibition in KL. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
Curated by artists Faizal Suhif and Fadli Mokhtar, Merintis Bahang highlights Chetak 17’s close ties with Malaysia’s printmaking community, bringing together veterans, newcomers, and unconventional voices in the medium.
“This exhibition has been a long time in the making for Fuad, who has become a familiar face at Chetak 17. As a (printmaking) community, we’re proud to host his debut solo show,” says Faizal.
Different passion, same dedication
Fuad, who primarily works with wood engraving on paper, began his artistic journey in 2006, experimenting with stencils and sketches during the quiet moments of his firefighting career.
As his passion for drawing grew, Fuad joined Studio Terusi at Rumah PENA in KL, where he met sculptor Mad Anuar and printmaker Abdul Mansoor Ibrahim. Under their mentorship, he honed his skills in sculpture and printmaking.
“I wanted to master the fundamentals first – lines, shapes, shadows, texture. Just like when I was a fireman, precision was key. In those early years, I would disappear for months, immersing myself in daily drawing practice to perfect my craft,” said Fuad, who lives in Pandan Jaya, Kuala Lumpur.
In the last 15 years, Fuad’s work has been featured in several group exhibitions in KL, including the Peasants And Proletariats exhibition (2015) at the now-defunct Xin Art Space in 2015, Black & White exhibition (2015) at Vallette Gallery (2015), the “Kuala Lumpur Printmaking Open” (2023) at HOM Art Trans, the “Mondial De L’Estampe Et De La Gravure Originale – Triennale de Chamalieres” (2010) in France, and the Tokyo International Mini Print Triennial (2018) in Japan.
A visitor examines the details of Fuad’s 'Earthquake Disaster' at the show. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
In 2014, Fuad also expanded his artistic journey by travelling to France to further his studies in printmaking at the renowned Atelier Contrepoint Paris. There, under the mentorship of Hector Saunier (1936-2024), he honed his craft at one of the world’s foremost printmaking studios, refining his skills and deepening his understanding of the art form.
The soft-spoken artist’s dedication to his prints is evident in the stunning detail and composition of his series seen in Merintis Bahang, offering a glimpse through his unique perspective. Visitors may initially struggle to identify the elements within each scene, but once they do, they’ll find it impossible to look away.
“I was advised to create art based on something I deeply understood. After serving as a fireman for 29 years, it made perfect sense to use that experience as a starting point. The themes were all around me – fire, structural damage, the striking appearance of firemen in their gear.
“It also gave me a chance to share with viewers what it’s like to be a fireman, facing life-or-death situations every day,” said Fuad, who has five children and two grandchildren.
In addition to block prints, Fuad also creates sketches, such as 'Menarik Hosereel' (Pulling The Hose Reel). Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
Each print in the exhibition freezes a pivotal moment, complete with details that amplify the intensity of the scene.
“With this medium, I want viewers to feel as though they’re trapped in a burning building – limited visibility, surrounded by smoke and ash, immersed in the chaos of the moment,” he added.
Depicting real-life heroes
At Chetak 17, nearly every piece of Fuad’s art has a backstory, drawn from an emergency operation he experienced firsthand. Alongside his works, he shares insights into firemen’s jargon and explains the specialised equipment used in each scenario, bringing his stories vividly to life.
In his print titled Coupling, Fuad said, “This refers to the process of joining two hose attachments before water can be directed through them. It requires precise coordination with fellow firefighters and considerable strength to manage the heavy hose and the recoil created by the high-velocity water flow.”
Fuad (centre) explains his piece Highland Tower Tragedy to firemen at the opening of his solo exhibition at Chetak 17. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
Beyond his own experiences, Fuad has also illustrated significant events like the Highland Towers tragedy in December 1993.
“Although I wasn’t directly involved in that operation, we firefighters stood in solidarity with our comrades on the ground,” said Fuad.
Pointing to an artwork inspired by the tragic event, he added, “This piece also celebrates one of the hopeful moments from the tragedy – the miraculous survival of a baby and her mother.”
In another striking piece titled The Thinker, Fuad reflects on the immense responsibility of being a Lead of Operations.
“As the lead, you must know how to command your team effectively – assigning roles to search for victims, carry specialised equipment, or locate the fire’s source – all while constantly evaluating the unfolding emergency,” he said.
A close-up view of Fuad's 'Search Source Of Fire' (wood engraving on paper, 2017). Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah
“Every decision you make is critical because you’re putting others’ lives on the line.”
The emergency scenes in Merintis Bahang are thoughtfully balanced with post-operation moments, including portraits of survivors and detailed sketches of a fireman’s gear. Together, they reveal the immense physical and mental demands of the profession.
His work Unsung Heroes presents this perfectly with a back view of several firemen walking toward an unknown danger in the darkness.
“Through art, I hope to offer a glimpse into the daily life of a firefighter. My goal is to foster appreciation for the profession and perhaps even inspire those with a ‘hero complex’ to pursue a career in firefighting,” concluded Fuad.
Merintis Bahang is showing at Chetak 17, Taman Wangsa Melawati, KL until Dec 7. Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-6pm.
