Small works is a selection of artworks created by contemporary emerging artists from different backgrounds and practices.
Participating artists: Anna Azzreena, BlankMalaysia, C.C. Kua, Jane Stephanny, Liew Sze Lin, Mark Tan, Poodien, Sherwan Rozan, Xia Yi and Yeo Tze Yang.
The Back Room is pleased to present the exhibition of 20 acrylics on Indian handmade paper by Liew Kwai Fei, a fine selection from the visual journal produced during the artist's two-month residency in Mumbai dated in 2010.
Vivid coloured compositions, folklore and culture motifs, ambiguous and sensual forms, exotic shapes, negative and positive spaces, all these elements are blended intuitively and transformed by the artist into highly imaginative visual verses.
The subjective interpretation of the intense two months in Mumbai often interplayed with Liew's per sonal memory carried with him from his own country, Malaysia. This non-linear way of narrative has successfully provided a rhapsody rich with tropical im agery for the audience to engage with.
With the contribution of Joanne Chew, the founder of Fictionist Studio, the exhibition wishes to explore a step further the poetic association between words and images.
Liew Kwai Fei explores high and low culture alongside issues associated with the legacy of colonialism such as class, nationalism, and race through the language of painting. Spanning over a decade, his practice is contextually specific to the artistic and political landscapes of the time, both locally and globally. The idiosyncrasy and hybridity of Liew’s style are clearly manifested in his modular paintings and installation art. Liew has had eight solo exhibitions to date and has participated in numerous group exhibitions in Malaysia and Singapore. His solo exhibitions include Light & Space | 得意忘形, OUR ArtProjects, Kuala Lumpur (2018), Siapa Dia Tong Sam Pah? 我的名字哈苏. You Look F**cking Funny-Lah!, Richard Koh Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2016); மிருகம் என் நண்பன் | Kami Bukan Hantu | Ah Pull & Ah Door | 我们 一家不是人 , Run Amok Gallery, Penang, Malaysia (2013); Painted Words and Written Paintings: For the Refined and For the Masses, Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2012); Colour, Shape, Quantity, Scale, No. 15 Jalan Mesui, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2010); Paintings for All Ages / Paintings with Extended Space, No. 19 Jalan Berangan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2009); and The Rhythm of Doing, Project Room @ Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2008). He has also participated in various residencies in Australia, India (2010), Pakistan and Malaysia.
www.liewkwaifei.com
The show runs in conjunction with the theme of Halloween with each artists interpreting what the idea of fear means personally and in a general view of what the idea fear stands for. Participating artists: Aiman Zamri, Bibichun, C.C. Kua, Sattama, Sarah Radzi, Shieko Reto a.k.a Shika Corona, Shiela Samsuri and Yati.
Project curated by Sharmin Parameswaran
