“Kuasai ilmu, kekalkan tradisi”
Mohd Azwarin Bin Ahmed is a Terengganu-born textile artist dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Telepuk. Born in 1981 and based in Kampung Pulau Rusa, Kuala Terengganu, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Textile Design from Universiti Teknologi MARA. His formal training, combined with a lifelong interest in art, led him to specialise in heritage textile practices, with Telepuk becoming the focus of his craft.
Azwarin’s engagement with Telepuk deepened in 2017 after participating in a specialised workshop under the Langkasuka Movement. Since then, he has pursued continuous self-driven practice—sourcing traditional gold leaf materials, refining his techniques, and actively presenting his work through exhibitions and cultural events. His dedication was recognised in 2024 with a national-level award, marking a significant milestone in his artistic journey.
For Azwarin, Telepuk is a disciplined and deeply meaningful art form. The use of gold leaf, a material of high cultural status, demands patience, precision, and emotional balance from the artisan. As a practitioner and educator, he strongly believes that traditional knowledge must be fully mastered before any contemporary interpretation can take place, and that knowledge should be shared openly to ensure the continuity of Malaysia’s cultural legacy.