Ismail Awi was born in 1987, in Terengganu. He is a Malaysian artist who graduated from UiTM, Shah Alam in 2010. His passion for painting has been in him ever since he first held a brush. 

Awi's works reflect a complex inner world shaped by his childhood experiences, including growing up in a fisherman’s family and later moving to the city. Deeply influenced by cartoons, comic books, and novels, his imagination was steeped in surreal imagery and fantasy from a young age. His paintings often explore the struggles of life and the emotional weight of transformation, capturing human resilience amidst chaos. Working in a surreal style that is uniquely Malaysian, Awi blends fantastical elements with social commentary, developed through years of introspection, experimentation, and dedication to refining his visual language. 

Awi has been participating in various art exhibitions like; “Forms of Diversity” Group Exhibition at Redbase Foundation, “Rising Length of Light” Group Exhibition at Redbase Foundation.

He has been participating in various art exhibitions like; Alam Impian Gallery, Malaysia, Affordable Art fair, Singapore, Segaris Art Centre, Malaysia, Arts Kuala Lumpur-Melbourne, SPACE@COLLINS, Melbourne, and many more.