AlFatihah (The Opening)

Charles Saatchi Dies. By Charles Saatchi.

2009, 71 X 99.

"I shot (with a gun) this portrait

after receiving some unexpected news."

Almost everyone in art communities knows Charles Saatchi. In case if you do not know this man you can read: Alison Fendley's (1995). Saatchi & Saatchi The Inside Story. Published by Arcade Publishing Inc. New York. He established the Saatchi Gallery in 1985 from a Boundary Road in St. John's Wood to Chelsea, London.

Today it is slowly building up a reputation and respect as a gallery to be observed by art enthusiasts around the world.

Recently Shukor Yahya was invited to post his works at Saatchi Online Gallery for the world to see, at: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile/Shukor+Yahya/109419.html.

To his surprise he received a personal e-mail from Charles Saatchi himself. Here is what he said;

"Hello,

Very happy to see your work on Saatchi Online.

I am thrilled that the standard is so high from such a variety

of artists and hope it will be interesting to gallery owners, exhibition curators and collectors to see such diverse work.

All my best,

Charles Saatchi"

According to Mark Rothko's (1903–70) statement that, 'If a thing is worth doing once, it is worth doing over and over again – exploring it, probing it, demanding by its repetition that the public look at it.'

Such ideas had already been integral to Shukor Yahya's works since he took up painting seriously since 1990s. He explored the concept of the series, which provided him with a discovered method of critical self-enquiry to color reactions to different background and as a way of investigating the continuing possibilities of painting the words of God as a form of reminder for the benefit of humanity because it is very important.

Quite frankly Mr Saatchi, with 85 completed masterpieces plus 15 more on the go, he is ever ready to lead a new direction and purpose in Art to rock the world in the name of civilization from inside or outside Chelsea, for God's sake.

P.S: Thank you very much for your e-mail. May you and your family - and the rest of the Saatchies be blessed with peace and eternal happiness. Ameen!

Painted in Oct. ’08. Size: 22” X 40”. Medium: mixed Media on Linen.

The meaning of surah Al-Fatihah (The Opening):

1. In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

2.Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.

3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

4. Master of the Day of Judgement;

5. You do we worship, and your aid we seek.

6. Show me the straight way;

7. The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, those whose portion will not wrath, and who not go astray.