In the present lot, Popo Iskandar once again affirms his mastery in transforming a familiar motif into an image of raw emotional resonance. Painted in 1998 and measuring 100 × 80 cm, this striking work depicts a rooster—Popo's iconic symbol—standing tall against a deep, velvety night. The bird's crimson body unfurls in sweeping gestures, its feathers rendered in a fusion of fiery reds, midnight blues, and glowing ochres. This dynamic interplay of colour evokes not only the physical presence of the rooster but also its spirited proclamation at dawn.

Popo's tactile brushwork is bold and expressive, building a rhythmic surface that pulses with vitality. The rooster becomes more than an animal; it is a metaphor for courage, awakening, and the unyielding will to announce one's existence. The luminous yellow orb—suggestive of a rising sun or a blazing moon—heightens the drama, casting the rooster as a guardian of thresholds between darkness and light.

Accompanied by a certificate issued directly by the artist, this work stands as a testament to Popo Iskandar's lifelong dialogue with the animal world and his ability to infuse introspection into instinct. Jago Merah Berkokok Lantang is not merely a depiction, but a declaration—bold, resonant, and unmistakably Popo.