ien@moi: * My Icon

# ASSIGNMENT TWO

When I saw his face on the front cover book at MPH Book Store last Saturday, it reminds me about his characters. Simple, kind, unique, friendly and most important he like to smile and always give advice to me. He is one of my favorite lecturer and he also inspire me to be who I am today. Some people might not know HIM, but as a one of his students, I learn a lot of life experience and useful knowledge.People call him AGI short form from ABDUL GHAFAR IBRAHIM. But for me I prefer to call him Ayah AGI.WHY??? Because to me he is like a father , a good adviser and listener. people might say he kind of a freak person, because his appearance kind of different from normal person. I like his way of thinking , he always think out of box. For examples from his art work itself represent the way his think, he emphasize creative thinking through his art work.He is someone who are so freak and creative..very creative.

Then, when I go through his background history, there a lot of things that I never know before about him. Ayah AGI was born in Kampung Sesapan Batu Minangkabau, Beranang, Selangor Darul Ehsan (31 August 1943), now almost 69 years old. By look at towards his appearance , people never aspect his already reach 70s, his very energy-tic, kindful and always smile, that is one of another reason that make me really aspire me as my idol.

Next, he is the first Malaysian to be a writer-in-residence in the International Writing Program at the School of Letters, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA (1974), he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Northern Illinois University, De Kalb, Illinois, USA, 1976) and a Master of Arts (Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, USA, 1977) . Ayah AGI writes poetry, drama, sketches, interviews, essays, articles and is a painter, he also active in read poetry in " Majlis-Majlis Mendelaklamasikan Puisi dan Sajak" AROUND Kuala Lumpur and also outside Kl. In 1990, he was the guest of the Australian Government Cultural Award Programme. His first poem ‘Ensiklopedia Kehidupan Manusia’appeared in Mingguan Malaysia (8 August, 1965), followed by another poem ‘Nanar’in Berita Minggu (31 August, 1966). AGI’s poetry collections are My Lord Moon Kite (1976), Tak Tun (1978), Dialog Dengan Seniman (1982), That’s That (1986, 1990, 2009), Ahhh….Then all the books were translated into English by Harry Aveling. His poems were also published in anthologies locally, regionally and internationally

He is very multi - talented person, he can singing, painting, writing and also teaching . For me just one word to describe his " WOW" . His poetry ‘The Field of Yield’ was picked by The Song Company Australia, an internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble and performed worldwide with its song composition by Saidah Rastam (1999). There a lots of poetry book written by him and one of the AGI’s poetry entitled ‘www.cyber freedom.com.my’ and ‘The Hero’ has won the Malaysian Premier Literary Awards (2000/2001).

# Book collections

Ayah AGI was worked for a short period at the Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka as a Literary Assistant (1974). As an educator, he was with Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan, Kulim, Kedah (1967 – 1970); Sekolah Menengah Khir Johari, Beranang, Selangor (1971 – 1973); Specialist Teachers’ Training Institute, Cheras, (1980 – 1982); The National University of Malaysia – UKM (1982 –1998) and since (2002)and now as a lecturer in the Artistic Writing Department, Faculty of Artistic & Creative Technology, MARA University of Technology (UiTM), in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

# Art Works

PEOPLE outside maybe might not know his , and maybe just a few people know who Ayah AGI, but this is no the matter , for my side he inspire me a lot and he is my idol. He teach me how to think and be creative instead of being "Kritis". SOME HOW we have to think different from what other think in order to be good from others. Hopefully one day I can be successful like Ayah AGI in do something especially in creative World. Insya-Allah. To my idol, Ayah AGI, I hope Ayah will still "berkarya" and I'M proud to have you as my Idol, Icon and also my favorite lecturer.THANK YOU AYAH...