DR. ZAIMIE SAHIBIL was born on 5.2.1970 at Pulau Lagaton, Pulau Banggi, Sabah. He received his formal education from Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Lagaton, Pulau Bangg, SMJK Lok Yuk Kudat, and SMK Kota Marudu. After that, he furthered his studies in pedagogy at Maktab Perguruan Gaya, Kota Kinabalu (now known as Institut Perguruan Gaya). After he completed his internship, he begins his career at public sector as a teacher at SMK Kota Marudu from 1993 to 1997. In May 1997, he was offered to further his study in fine arts at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, where he received his Bachelor's degree with honour. He received his Master's degree in Visual Art and obtained his PhD in Visual Art from Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Working since school, the blood of art is inherited from his grandfather, a sculptor and kite maker; his grandmother, a quality mengkuang mat weaver; his mother who is also a mat weaver and Bajau food cover make; his brother Abd. Muhin Sahibil, also a painter; and his uncles including Encik Jamahali Osman, Saripul Osman; and his brother Jimmy Sahibil, a sculptor and builder of boats and fishing boats. In the early stages, Zaimie's brother was very involved in making handicrafts for sale around the age of 10-12 years old. After that, he migrated to Kudat and Kota Marudu to further his studies at Sekolah Menengah Lok Yuk Kudat and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kota Marudu and got to know the equipment and media/materials used to draw. He received guidance and encouragement from his brother and his art teacher at the time, Cikgu Abd. Latif Misbah. The approach of his work at an early stage was heavily influenced by paintings from Indonesia and Thailand.
Even though he was a talented student, he did not has an encouraging environment. He took part in competitions at different levels, including school, district and state. He
received his formal art education at the Gaya Teachers College, Kota Kinabalu Sabah (1991-1993), his artistic development was encouraged with the guidance of his lecturers, especially Encik
Ismail Hj. Ibrahim (Now Prof. Dr. Ismail Hj Ibrahim). The development of his art activities through the activities of the Sabah Art Gallery has led him to further his studies in Fine Arts at
UNIMAS and get education and guidance from experienced art lecturers and they are also famous painters such as Prof. Prof. Fauzan Omar, En. Hasnul Jamal Saidon, En. Niranjan Rajah, Wan Jamarul
Imran Wan Abdullah Thani, En Zulkarnain Zainal Abiddin.
After graduating from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in fine arts, Zaimie, who is a native from Kudat, teaches art at Sm. Shan Tao, Kota Kinabalu (On the initiative of Prof. Dr Gazally Ismail after
contacting the Sabah Director of Education, to provide space for Zaimie to continue to develop his artwork). He is active and productive in contributing to local art exhibitions. His interest and
involvement in the painting process makes his works easily recognizable in terms of the use of colors, techniques, materials and even their large-scale size. Mr. Zaimie is indeed proficient in
using mediums such as Watercolor, Dye, Acrylic and Oil Paint, Fabric, beads and this combination produces two dimensional works such as paintings, collages and prints.
Now he is active in activities to promote visual arts in Sabah, nationally and internationally through the Sabah Art Gallery and the Sabah Visual Arts Association. He is also involved with academic bodies for the production of graphics of examination questions through the Malaysian Examinations Board. He has also been responsible as an examiner, assessor, monitor and invigilator in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Visual Arts examination since 1994. Apart from that, he is also the main trainer for Visual Arts subjects at the Sabah State level through the Academic Management Sector, Sabah Education Department. To be a reference expert for the implementation of Visual Arts Education Coursework at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia level. His leadership in generating artistic development in Sabah began when he was studying at the Gaya Lagi Teachers College. He is one of the most active artists in the country in particular and in Malaysia in general. He is involved as an exhibition curator, judge, exhibition manager and art activities at the state, national and international levels through the Sabah Art Gallery and the National Art Gallery. Many of his works have been collected by national leaders, dignitaries, tourists and art collectors from all over the world.
Through his academic activities, he had research on the topics as below:
(Original titles in Bahasa Malaysia)
- Pengaruh Orang Tengah Dalam Sosio-ekonomi Nelayan Bajau Laut di Pulau Banggi, Sabah.
- “An Jouney Artistc Joy” Banjaran Crocker, Sabah.
- Rumah Tradisi Dusun Bonggi: Satu kajian Kes Terhadap Konsep dan Rekabentuknya. Di Pulau Banggi, Sabah.
- Konsep dan Rekabentuk Ruang Rumah Tradisi Bajau Laut.
(Translated titles in English)
- The Influence of Middlemen in the Socio-economy of Bajau Fishermen Sea on Banggi Island, Sabah.
- “An Jouney Artistc Joy” Banjaran Crocker, Sabah.
- Dusun Bonggi Traditional House: A Case Study of Its Concept and Design. In Banggi Island, Sabah.
- Concept and Design of Bajau Laut Traditional House Space.
Through his research, he observed the development, and became aware of the standard of living is far behind. Because his last study covers all aspects and ethnicity in Banggi Island.
