A Day in My Life: Resident Artist

Ahmad Redha is the talent behind the beautiful ice sculptures and decorations at Dorsett Regency Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.  Recently, he won the Most Outstanding Artist Award at Culinaire Malaysia 2011.

A dedicated Resident Artist of Dorsett Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Ahmad Redha is passionate about arts and always strives for the best. His creativity and hard work has gained him international exposure through competitions held in various countries such as China, Japan and Russia. His achievements in ice and snow sculpturing are recognised by Tourism Malaysia.

Here he talks about his day-to-day tasks and the hotel. More interestingly, he shares the inspiration behind his creations and the long road to becoming an award-winning artist.

Have you always wanted to be an artist? Tell us more about yourself and how you became an award-winning artist.

When I was younger, I’d never thought of becoming an artist, although I did score an ‘A+’ in Art in school!

I wanted to be a clerk initially, typing documents, mailing letters, etc. Then I wanted to be a diplomat, a writer, and later still I wanted to go into business selling pastries (which is how I ended up marrying a pastry girl). I even worked as a system analyst.

At one point I had to decide on a set career path, so I dove in as a kitchen helper in Crown Princess Hotel (now DoubleTree by Hilton) back in 1996. Later, I joined Malaysia Airlines, preparing food for the airline crew and passengers. In 1999, I graduated with a Diploma in Chef Training from the Institute Technology of MARA (now known as UiTM ) and later got myself a job as a cook.

In the Kitchen Department, I began noticing details I never thought of before. It was then I discovered a separate section in the department – the Kitchen Artist, who sculptured ice blocks, butter, styrofoam, fruit and vegetables, and set up food displays and so on. Becoming a Kitchen Artist was the first step to becoming who I am today.

Are there many challenges along the way?

There were roadblocks, and there were also times when just the thought of surviving through work and difficult projects required supreme effort. But my drive to survive was in large part inspired by my desire to thrive. And to thrive means to grow and prosper.

Success is about effort, not shortcuts. I have friends who have made it to the top who aren’t more educated or articulate than others – they are just more committed, resilient and willing to sacrifice time, finances and whatever it takes to reach the peak. I follow in their footsteps. I also remember my dad’s words: “Failure is the best teacher, and each time a man or a woman fails, the lessons learned are invaluable steps along the path to success.”

Failures are learning experiences, and I did lose many times in competitions but the reward in years to come is worth it. In addition, I am passionate about my work and whatever I do comes straight from my heart.

How long have you been the Resident Artist at Dorsett Regency Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, and what does your day-to-day job involve?

It’s easy to remember the date I joined Dorsett Regency Hotel, Kuala Lumpur because it falls on April Fool’s Day (April 1, 2010)!

Although my job title was Resident Artist, initially my work scope focused on graphic design, designing collaterals and working very closely with the Marketing Communications Manager, in addition to preparing backdrops and other related tasks. The workload was heavy but I managed one day at a time.

Now that the Hotel has employed a dedicated Graphic Designer, Reza Rahman, I am fully in charge of planning, setting up and removing, constructing and sculpturing major decorations for the entire Hotel’s perimeter. I work on major festive season decorations such as Christmas, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali. A lot of these decorations are made mostly out of styrofoam and wood, and touched up with paper, clay, clothes, metals and so on. There are other special decorations for Valentine’s Day, Formula 1 season, Easter, the Mooncake Festival and monthly food promotions, just to name a few, which are equally important.

The Hotel backdrop is daily work, and I also carry out administrative work like budgeting, costing, planning for upcoming events, preparing visual illustrations and other related artwork.

What is the best thing about working for Dorsett Regency Hotel, Kuala Lumpur?

Many factors count, such as the staff benefits.

But the best thing about working for this Hotel is my colleagues. From top management right down to rank-and-file, everyone is warm, friendly, reasonable and tolerant. We create positive relationships with each other. My colleagues are a good support to me even during tough times. Everyone expresses themselves differently – some are quiet and shy while others are more expressive. We even argue differently – some yell and scream; others do the silent treatment. In spite of our differences, we bond as a large family.

What have guests commented about your creations?

Last Christmas, I met a guest from Singapore who operates a pub. He wanted to have some snowflakes with a particular pattern that I hung from the ceiling of Window’s Lounge. He also asked me how I came about the concept and design so that he could to do the same thing for his pub next year.

During our Formula 1 event last year, a guest and his girlfriend from Sydney were impressed with my artwork of the various F1 racing cars, and the bright red Ferrari model in particular. She wanted to have it back home in Australia. Guests were not allowed to remove the Hotel’s decoration, so I made her a slightly smaller version of the Ferrari that she could stuff into her luggage easily. She was overjoyed and her boyfriend was also delighted when I told them, “This is a souvenir from Dorsett Regency Hotel, Kuala Lumpur and I hope to see the both of you again!”

What are your most memorable achievements so far?

There are several snapshots I vividly remember that make me smile.

The first time I participated in a competition was in 2002. It was held at the Palace of the Golden Horses. I participated in the ice-carving, vegetable carving and styrofoam carving competitions. I was a greenhorn then, just starting out, competing with professional sculptors from 5-star hotels in Kuala Lumpur. I didn’t win any at all.

During that phase, it was disappointing and sad. Now when I look back, it was the event that moved me forward in this field. I began exposing myself in various competitions after that.

Soon after, I found myself travelling to Harbin, China, to represent Malaysia and my company in 2004, 2009 and 2010 for the International Snow Sculpture Competition. I made sculptures out of 2.5-metre-high solid ice and snow, battled freezing temperature, raced against time and indulged in cuisine prohibited by my religion (forgivable in this case, as there was no choice). It was indescribable – feelings, experiences, anxiety, joy and worries all mashed up together. I bagged the Special Prize Award in 2009 for my snow sculpture of an old man playing a traditional Malay musical instrument.

In 2008, I was very fortunate to be invited to the VI International Ice Sculpture Competition held in Salekhard, Russia. Malaysia won the 4th place for the Captain Award among 16 participating countries.

My last stint abroad was in Sapporo, Japan, in 2010. There I sculptured a 2.5-metre block of solid snow into an old man holding a wau bulan (Malaysian kite), with a hornbill hovering over him.

Just recently, at the Culinaire Malaysia Awards 2011 held in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, I picked up my biggest achievement so far when I finally took home the Most Outstanding Artist award.

Since you are based in the Hotel, what is your favourite thing to do at Dorsett Regency Hotel, Kuala Lumpur?

The best thing to do is having a freshly brewed coffee in Window’s Lounge during the raining season, indulging in delicious cuisine at Checkers Café or simply catching up with a colleague.

I also enjoy cleaning and organising my art studio, making it my second home.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I read a lot of books. I’m not so keen on magazines unless an interesting article catches my attention. I normally have a book in my car, or I’d carry one with me.

Among my favourite authors are Robert Kiyosaki, Andrew Matthews, Spencer Johnson, and even Lewis Carroll. Even now I still read fairytales for children like Alice in Wonderland.

I also reflect on my accomplishments, from the little things to major projects. I even laugh at my many mistakes. I’m grateful for the experiences and important lessons – all this gives me inspiration, encouragement, thoughts and ideas, as well as a desire to excel in life.