Locating Malaysian Contemporary Art: The Echo Boomers

Locating Malaysian Contemporary Art: The Echo Boomers

Now – 12 September 2020

Bangkok, 24 August 2020Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) is pleased to present Locating Malaysian Contemporary Art: The Echo Boomers featuring works by Malaysian artists; Faizal Yunus, Izat Arif, Joshua Kane Gomes, Lee Mok Yee, Mark Tan & Sarah Radzi at 341, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from now to 12 Sep 2020. 14 works are being presented in varying formats and medium; ranging from mixedmedia canvas paintings, assemblage sculptures to meditative inflections on paper.

In Locating Malaysian Contemporary Art: The Echo Boomers, the exhibition looks at young practices, specifically artists from the Echo Boomer or Gen Y, also known as the Millennials. This particular generation were born between 1981 – 1996.

Each generation is presumably defined and shaped by powerful cultural events, and for this particular group, anthropologist have pegged it to the explosion of the internet and social media – in addition to terrorism (9/11) and the Great Recession. In essence, the ability to access knowledge and information has tremendously shaped the artist’s constitution. The artist is more ‘woke’1, so to speak. The key artistic attributes of reading, observing/ looking, introspecting, satirizing has been enhanced by this cultural event, a far difference from the preceding generation whom had been largely shaped by post World War II optimism and nation building. Hence, the prevalence of social political concerns for this older group of artists. This exhibition provides hints of this cultural shift, if not, an indication that the urgency of socio-political commentary in Malaysian art is dissipating.

Izat Arif’s and Lee Mok Yee’s works are reflexive as they contemplate the ‘social requirements’ of their artistic careers. Izat’s work takes it a step further by breaking the fourth wall, in which the art becomes aware of itself and the ecosystem that it resides in. Faizal Yunus’ and Mark Tan’s works consider the reciprocal relationship of nature and man, tapping into the memory process as a cycle of observing the world around them. The act of observing is an important part of their artistic process as it triggers scents and tunes, and deep-rooted human instinct. Joshua Kane Gomes’ and Sarah Radzi’s works question the efficiency of human dynamics and navigates unhealthy dependencies within relationships. By extension, the works serve as a mechanism for the artists to comprehend their existence taking place in an isolated solitary phenomenon in an absurd world. But nevertheless, it affords them freedom to define themselves.

1   ‘Woke‘ is increasingly used as a byword for social awareness and has been infused into pop-culture.

Faizal  Yunus  (b.1989,  Malaysia)  is  a  Malaysian  based  artist  who   works   mainly   in printmaking, painting  and installation. He graduated in Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mara University of Technology (UiTM) in 2012 majoring in printmaking. Faizal has been drawn towards nature as he grew up in such a surrounding that has helped him nurture his imagination and interpretation of the greenery around him. Autonomy has driven him to believe that an egalitarian society is vital which is where he adapts to the banal practices of everyday life into his abstract print paintings.

Izat Arif (b.1986, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) is a multidisciplinary artist who enjoys weaving intricately layered installations of videos, drawings and readymade objects. His work often conveys an ironic commentary on everyday life and the art ecosystem of Kuala Lumpur.

Joshua Kane Gomes (b.  1993, Malaysia) primarily engages themes of identity and space in his art practice. Documenting his mental processes and states through the art-making process, Joshua peeks into the grey areas between cold rationality and sentimental sensibility. He often works with sculptures and installations that leverage on evoking mood and atmosphere, be it through form or material language.

Lee Mok Yee a.k.a Muji (b.1988, Klang, Malaysia) currently lives & works in Kuala Lumpur. As an artist, he believes that existing materials whether physical or conceptual reflects his own culture and political background. Using these materials, he attempts to interpret and reconstruct the characteristic and utility of the objects.

Mark Tan (b. 1991, Kuala Lumpur) obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Drawing and Applied Arts from the University of the West of England. Working through photography, drawing, and printmaking, his various configurations become sensory fragments that investigate the methodologies of mark-making. The psychological spaces of memory as a site of constant flux are then used as a trigger for Tan’s practice.

Sarah Radzi (b. 1995, Malaysia) was born in Georgetown, Penang and currently living in Rawang, Selangor. She graduated from UiTM Shah Alam with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art majoring in Painting. Her works are somewhat personal, inspired by the little things in daily life like overheard conversations triggered memories.

Founded in 2005, with spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Singapore, Richard Koh Fine Art is committed   to the promotion of Southeast Asian contemporary art on regional and international platforms. Centred around a core belief in developing an artist’s career, the gallery looks to identify understated, albeit promising practices, and providing it opportunities to flourish. Through its regular exhibition cycles, print & digital publications and cross-border gallery collaborations, Richard Koh Fine Art engages the art community with the aim of developing regional and intercultural dialogue.

 

For further information about the exhibition, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Low at +6016 217 5112 or the gallery at info@rkfineart.com / +6 03 2095 3300.

 

All images are subject to copyright.

Media inquiries:                                            

TQPR Thailand

Tom Van Blarcom | Warin Pattarapatumthong

Tel:  0 2260 5820 /Fax: 0 2260 5847-8

Email: tom@tqpr.com | audi@tqpr.com

 

 

Izat Arif Sorry Prof” 2020

2K automotive paint and lacquer on MDF board

152.7 x 121.7 cm

 

Lee Mok Yee The Ladder 2020

Wooden pyramid, mirrored stainless steel and pine wood 255 x 75 x 40 cm

 

Faizal Yunus The Opening 2020

Enamel and lacquer on  canvas 200 x 180 cm

 

Mark Tan

Rainfall Patterns III

2020

Oil on paper

102 x 133 cm (diptcyh)

 

Joshua Kane Gomes You Had Me at Hello 2020

Steel, fabric, rope & polyester fiber fill 91 x 154 x 147 cm

 

Sarah Radzi

Before the Kick and Memo #1

2020

Acrylic, oil pastel and charcoal on canvas 152 x 122 cm ; 76.2 x 61 cm (diptych)

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