A group of Sekolah Seni Malaysia (SSeMJ) Johor students made a mark on the international art stage by winning six gold medals at the Kosice Portrait Biennale 2025, one of Europe’s premier portrait competitions for young artists from around the world.
Leading the batch is Akasha Bakri Mohd Hairul Baharuddin, who grabbed the top prize with a self-portrait that delves into intricate human emotions. The Form Two student, who is currently studying Visual Arts, said he was stunned when his name was announced as the gold medalist.
“I was surprised and elated. It felt like a dream,” he shared, noting that the accolade proved that persistent effort, even at a young age, can yield significant achievements.
Akasha explained that his self-portrait features three distinct characters, each expressing a different emotion: joy, sorrow, and fear. The piece drew from his own inner emotional struggles and feelings that are often hard to articulate in words.
The most challenging aspect, he said, wasn’t the technical craft but making sure the emotions appeared authentic and vibrant on the canvas. “While technique can be learned, translating emotions into art is the hardest part.”
He credited his family as his strongest supporters, noting that they believed in his talent even before he did. He also expressed gratitude to his teachers and coaches for guiding him to explore art more deeply, as well as to his friends who offered encouragement during stressful moments while he completed the artwork.
Looking ahead, Akasha framed the victory as a starting point rather than a final destination. “I want to keep learning and improving with each new piece. This win is only the beginning of the journey I still have to travel.” He hopes his success will inspire other young Malaysians to pursue art with seriousness and believes that age should not stand in the way of international recognition. “One day, I aim to elevate Malaysian art on the global stage.”
Nor Alisa Jamaluddin, the school’s visual arts trainer, added that 36 artworks from Form One to Form Three were entered in the competition hosted in Slovakia. The works were mailed via a postal service on May 13, and the results were announced on December 1.
Although SSeMJ Johor has previously competed in international art contests, Kosice Portrait Biennale marked their first foray into this particular event. Through the students’ dedication, the school earned six gold medals, two bronze medals, and four honorary mentions, a testament to the program’s strength and impact. It is a moment of great pride for the school and its community.
