Colours of Sweat by Hasnee A. Rahman

Hasnee A. Rahman started painting elaborate pictures at the tender age of 9, a time when most of his friends were playing catch.

Now 46, the artist can look back on a prolific career in art.

The public can visit an exhibition of his works, themed "Colours of Sweat", at the New Straits Times Press Bhd main lobby from Aug 4 to 29.Aside from displaying Hasnee's great artistic skill, the exhibition also highlights his other passion -- sports.

"This particular theme depicts not only my love for sports but also the struggle I endured throughout my life to become an artist," said Hasnee, who dabbled in 13 professions before settling on his main love of art 10 years ago.
Hasnee has excelled in both art and sports as he represented Malaysia in cycling at the Asia Cycling Championship and the World Junior Cycling Championship in Italy.

At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he finished seventh out of 40 contestants in the "Olympic Art and Sport" competition.His series of "sport paintings" is now among the permanent collection of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Hasnee's pieces in "Colours of Sweat" will be retailing for between RM3,000 and RM77,000 each.