Richard Koh Fine Art presents A Rhetorical Garden, Malaysian artist Lee Mok Yee’s solo exhibition in Malaysia

April 19, 2021 / News

Richard Koh Fine Art

No. 34-1, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

+603 2095 3300

www.rkfineart.com

A Rhetorical Garden: A Solo Exhibition by Lee Mok Yee

Bangkok, 19 April 2021—Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA-KL) is pleased to announce Malaysian artist Lee Mok Yee’s (b. 1988) solo exhibition in Malaysia. A Rhetorical Garden is scheduled to run from 27th April – 22nd May 2021 at Richard Koh Fine Art, No. 34-1, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The artist will present 10 wood cork sculptures in his first solo exhibition with Richard Koh Fine Art.

This body of work was largely inspired by the city of Suzhou, famous for its Chinese Garden landscapes. The designs of doors, windows, and floors in homes in Suzhou presented both Chinese philosophy and Feng Shui, which was riveting for the artist as it presented a blend of different beliefs. Bonsai aesthetics is a big part of Suzhou’s architecture scene in which is popularly incorporated to embellish homes and showcase the socioeconomic status of homeowners. In Bonsai aesthetics, rocks symbolise mountain ranges and towering peaks, whereas small ponds or springs symbolise rivers and lakes – presenting the larger world of nature in a microcosm; interpreting the harmony and coexistence between man and nature.

In this exhibition, 10 sculptures are strategically presented in an attempt to change the landscape of the gallery space, akin to the Bonsai aesthetics, inviting viewers to walk around the sculptures. The organic styled sculptures are a result of wood cork being spontaneously torn apart and yet, systematically built. This process involved stacking wood cork, piece-by-piece and layer-by-layer, becoming a meditation exercise for the artist as the recurring actions were an extension of energy which brought him a sense of calmness and peace.

The fabrication process focused on simplicity and practicality, presenting meticulous labour and how the artist tediously managed the materials. This exhibition comes together as the artist’s response to the new digitised world where physical touch, intimacy, and time consuming labour is seen as detrimental to our current fast-moving lifestyle.

Artist Biography

Lee Mok Yee (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 characteristics and utility of objects. He strongly believes that art and society are interconnected, and that it is not essential to be highly technical to express one’s self in art.

Mok Yee was part of the INXO International Residency program 2019 in Kluang, Johor, Malaysia. The INXO Arts & Culture (L) Foundation was established to manage and develop arts and culture education in a sustained manner, transcending social, racial and national boundaries, acting as a platform for wisdom, resources and efforts.

In 2012, Mok Yee had his first solo exhibition Scepticism is a Virtue at Artseni Gallery. He has also been exhibited internationally in London, Korea and Germany.

About RKFA

Founded in 2005, with spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok, 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 Wei Fung at +6016 491 2644 or the gallery at info@rkfineart.com / +603 2095 3300.

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