Our people
YUSOF GAJAH
Yusof Gajah is Malaysia's foremost naive art artist. Growing up in Johol, a village in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia and in Singapore, Yusof was surrounded by nature which continues to be a major influence in his work. He studied art at Sekolah Seni Rupa in Yogjakarta, Indonesia. When he returned to Malaysia in 1975, he started his career as a fulltime artist. Since then, Yusof has built up a formidable reputation in the art world and his paintings are widely sought after, both locally and internationally. In addition to his painting, Yusof has written and illustrated a number of children's picture books. He has received numerous awards, including the Best Children's Book Illustration from the National Book Council of Malaysia and the Noma Concours Grand Prix Award (ACCU) in Tokyo, Japan for his book, 'The Real Elephant.' He also conducts art workshops and especially enjoys working with children. His constant companion and supporter is his wife, Zakiah. They have three children.
Yusof Gajah is Malaysia's foremost naive art artist. Growing up in Johol, a village in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia and in Singapore, Yusof was surrounded by nature which continues to be a major influence in his work. He studied art at Sekolah Seni Rupa in Yogjakarta, Indonesia. When he returned to Malaysia in 1975, he started his career as a fulltime artist. Since then, Yusof has built up a formidable reputation in the art world and his paintings are widely sought after, both locally and internationally. In addition to his painting, Yusof has written and illustrated a number of children's picture books. He has received numerous awards, including the Best Children's Book Illustration from the National Book Council of Malaysia and the Noma Concours Grand Prix Award (ACCU) in Tokyo, Japan for his book, 'The Real Elephant.' He also conducts art workshops and especially enjoys working with children. His constant companion and supporter is his wife, Zakiah. They have three children.
ZAKIAH MOHD ISA
Zakiah Mohd Isa is a Director of Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency. She brings with her a wealth of experience in storytelling for children. Zakiah has conducted storytelling workshops for teachers and has also conducted puppet shows for children with her daughter. Zakiah is a natural storyteller who believes in the power of stories to engage children and to encourage interaction with children. Together with her husband, Yusof Gajah, Zakiah has also been actively involved in a number of art workshops with teachers, parents and children. These include workshops at Petronas Gallery, Siemens Gallery, Islamic Museum of Art, National Heart Institute, Art Camp of Bursa Saham, Galeria Perdana in Langkawi, and International schools in Kuala Lumpur, amongst others. She is also a skilled instructor in the traditional art of batik and is currently working on a picture book on batik.
Zakiah Mohd Isa is a Director of Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency. She brings with her a wealth of experience in storytelling for children. Zakiah has conducted storytelling workshops for teachers and has also conducted puppet shows for children with her daughter. Zakiah is a natural storyteller who believes in the power of stories to engage children and to encourage interaction with children. Together with her husband, Yusof Gajah, Zakiah has also been actively involved in a number of art workshops with teachers, parents and children. These include workshops at Petronas Gallery, Siemens Gallery, Islamic Museum of Art, National Heart Institute, Art Camp of Bursa Saham, Galeria Perdana in Langkawi, and International schools in Kuala Lumpur, amongst others. She is also a skilled instructor in the traditional art of batik and is currently working on a picture book on batik.
LINDA TAN LINGARD
Linda Tan Lingard is the managing partner of Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency. She has worked in the publishing industry for more than 15 years and set up her own publishing company in 2007 to publish children's books. As the Regional Adviser in Malaysia for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (and President of the Malaysian Chapter), she hopes to develop and nurture local writers and illustrators and is committed to bringing their work to the international market. She has lived and worked in Jakarta, Hong Kong and UK and is keen to promote multicultural understanding through children's books and related activities. Linda is a graduate of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and holds an MBA from Leicester University, UK.
Linda Tan Lingard is the managing partner of Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency. She has worked in the publishing industry for more than 15 years and set up her own publishing company in 2007 to publish children's books. As the Regional Adviser in Malaysia for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (and President of the Malaysian Chapter), she hopes to develop and nurture local writers and illustrators and is committed to bringing their work to the international market. She has lived and worked in Jakarta, Hong Kong and UK and is keen to promote multicultural understanding through children's books and related activities. Linda is a graduate of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and holds an MBA from Leicester University, UK.