the man behind galleriiizu

I had the pleasure of visiting the owner of galleriiizu a couple of nights ago. Izuldin Hani, or better known as just Izu, has been in the gallery scene since 1998; his patrons and friends would remember him having his gallery in Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur a couple of years back (and before that, Bukit Antarabangsa and Titiwangsa). Now, galleriiizu occupies a space at UOA Centre, Jalan Pinang. Read more about the philosophy behind the gallery here.


Izu was interested in doing exhibitions and events to heighten the awareness of the very talented local artists, and foster art appreciation. His exhibitions display works of the undiscovered as well as the up-and-coming and veterans in the industry. He's currently running a series called 7, where 7 shows would be held on the 7th of each month, for 7 months. I hope to write more about these 7 shows as they approach; they're really worth a visit, or at least have a thought of.


Two nights ago I dropped by Izu's gallery to learn more about the show that's coming up on 7th February called "UseAgain-Asia Exhibition", a focus on graphic design. To create more exposure for his shows, he was interested in starting a blog himself, and perhaps a blogging community to discuss about and appreciate art. Having blogged myself, I was eager to share what I've encountered and how he could go about setting one up for his business.


I'd like to pause for awhile before I plunge in further to what I'd intended to post about. I'll admit that even though I frequent Izu's gallery every once in awhile with my fellow colleagues, whether to say hello to Suzanne (his assistant and our ex-colleague) or to see what new artistic knick-knacks he had to offer, I didn't know much about the man himself. In fact, I didn't (and embarrassingly still don't) know much about art until I had started working in the creative web industry. Every time I visit brightly lit galleriiizu, new works of art are on display, new items are on sale. Sometimes you'd see the man catching up with his visiting friends, or busy organising the next show. But no matter how busy he is, he always has a little time for us, to hear what's new, up and coming, the current goings-on.

So, back to my story.


As we chatted that night, our conversation took a turn towards his business and how he started out many years ago in an advertising agency. He told me a tale and a piece of advice that I hope, someday, I'm able to say I had heeded. It goes like this -

He was quite a high-flyer in "those days" when he first started out. And, like most of us, his nose followed where the money trail was. After a short time working in the first company, he soon hopped from one place to another, wherever the pay was more. Jobs only lasted for a few months, at the most a year and a half, before he moved again.


Izu was doing this for some time until one day, someone whom he referred to as a "coach", said to him, "Hey, wait a minute, son. Where are you heading? Do you know what you're doing? Is money so important? Hopping from one place or another, you're not gaining anything. If you're not careful, it'll be your downfall. Let me give you a piece of advice."

"Don't chase after the money. Chase after the work. Build your portfolio. Let it speak for you. The money will be the one chasing after you in time to come."

"Portfolios are important. Build them while you can. Don't keep going where the money is; by hopping places too often at any one time, the portfolio doesn't have time to grow. You hold nothing in the gaps between jobs. All it takes is one firing at the last job that you're at, and you've nowhere to go. Everyone whom you've worked for knows of your reputation of not being loyal, being fickle, being greedy. So go back to the beginning - build your portfolio.

"Remember to go where the work is. The money will follow."

Izu took on that advice. He joined an agency and landed himself with an account that was considered a failure. No one wanted that account; it had the lowest priority in budget and time. It was tough getting it back on its feet, but together with his writer, he designed a campaign to turn the account around from zero to hero within a few months. The sales shot up, revenue increased tenfold.

Needless to say, Izu was a star.

And yes, the money chased after him. He had calls from other agencies to rebuild accounts. Look where he is now.

Good advice, don't you think?

Sweet.


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