In Singa Cirebon, painted in 1975, Zaini portrays the essence of a regional icon into a haunting, atmospheric vision. Measuring 65 × 95 cm, the work presents two lion-like forms emerging from a shadowed expanse—figures that seem carved not by contour, but by texture, gesture, and the quiet turbulence of layered pigment. Zaini’s palette is dominated by deep greens, earthy browns, and muted blues, creating a spectral quality that blurs the line between myth and memory.

The "Singa" in Cirebonese culture is more than an animal; it is a symbol of guardianship, dignity, and strength. Zaini interprets this emblem not through literal representation, but through an expressive abstraction that evokes movement, spirit, and presence. The lions appear to advance from darkness into a faintly glowing field, their bodies formed by sweeping strokes and rough impasto that suggest resilience forged through time.

The surrounding space, hazy yet charged, heightens the mysterious aura—an environment where legend and landscape merge. Here, the Singa is not simply depicted; it is conjured, as though rising from the collective imagination of Cirebon itself.

Singa Cirebon stands as a compelling example of Zaini's ability to fuse cultural narrative with painterly intuition, offering a powerful, contemplative encounter with one of West Java’s most enduring symbols.