CIMB ARTOBER HOTEL ARTFAIR 2024

Artist Statement

Kow Leong Kiang’s art captivates with pensive figures amidst unsettling landscapes, often accompanied by recurring giant bananas. This intriguing juxtaposition invites contemplation. The figures’ introspection could reflect isolation, existential angst, or a commentary on the complexities of our world.

The giant banana adds another layer of meaning, it can be connected to banana currency during the Malayan Wartime suggesting a symbol of lost or unstable value systems, especially relevant with recent fluctuations in the Malaysian Ringgit (RM).

Ultimately, Kow’s art is open to interpretation. Each viewer’s understanding, influenced by personal experience and knowledge of the artist, creates a valid and unique perspective. The beauty lies in how each viewer experiences unique emotions and thoughts.

Artist Statement

Clouds are formed by the condensation of water vapor. They appear light and float in the air, but when they fall as rain, they feel heavy on the skin.

The artist wants to depict the state of clouds gathering before a rainstorm, akin to emotions churning deep within. Many seemingly insignificant emotions, like these water vapors, gradually accumulate into clouds. Clouds constantly change; some drift away with the wind, while others condense into thick clouds. When they can no longer hold themselves, they turn into a downpour.

Artist Statement

Clouds are formed by the condensation of water vapor. They appear light and float in the air, but when they fall as rain, they feel heavy on the skin.

The artist wants to depict the state of clouds gathering before a rainstorm, akin to emotions churning deep within. Many seemingly insignificant emotions, like these water vapors, gradually accumulate into clouds. Clouds constantly change; some drift away with the wind, while others condense into thick clouds. When they can no longer hold themselves, they turn into a downpour.

Artist Statement

Najib Bamadhaj’s shift from virtual to real-world exploration reveals Busan with a fresh perspective that marries the dreamlike qualities of his previous work with the authenticity of lived experience. This evolution in his artistic journey provides a unique viewing experience, making his work stand out. By framing his journey and the resulting artworks as a celebration of Busan’s real beauty and uniqueness, viewers are invited to experience the city’s charm through the eyes of an artist who has seen both its imagined and real forms. “Busan Chronicle, Classic Chromatic” suggests a direct engagement with the city, emphasizing the proximity and immediacy of the experience compared to distant dreaming.

Artist Statement

The artwork features a Pokeball with a handprint, symbolizing the personal impact of digitized communication. The handprint represents the individual’s touch on technology and its potential to influence and control. By focusing on one Pokeball, the artwork highlights the intimate yet powerful connection between people and their digital devices. It prompts reflection on the consequences of unrestrained digital access, such as misinformation and online harassment. This piece serves as a visual commentary on the challenges of technology overuse and the necessity for responsible engagement in the digital age.

Artist Statement

The artwork captures the unsettling potential of AI designed to simulate human emotions. The robot holding a love balloon symbolizes the promise of empathetic machines. Yet, this vision carries hidden dangers: emotional manipulation, privacy invasions, ethical dilemmas, and the erosion of genuine human connections. As we edge closer to creating AI that can ‘feel,’ we must confront the profound implications and ensure these technologies are developed with caution and responsibility. Let this piece be a poignant reminder to balance innovation with the protection of our humanity.

Artist Statement

“Artificial Infusion” explores the symbiotic relationship between humanity and technology. A floating cup pours a stream of glowing liquid into an open book, symbolizing the flow of knowledge from digital realms into human intellect. The piece questions the boundaries of artificial and organic wisdom, highlighting our growing reliance on technology for enlightenment and growth. Through this visual metaphor, the art invites contemplation on the evolving nature of learning and the essence of intelligence in the digital age.

Artist Statement

In contemporary society, individuals’ lifespans are frequently delineated by societal norms dictating particular milestones or achievements for various stages of life. However, artists aspire to transcend these conventional boundaries by employing the concept of “time warp” to facilitate a nuanced exploration of temporal dimensions. This artistic endeavour endeavours to depict a phenomenon wherein time manifests itself as malleable, exhibiting characteristics such as bending, deceleration, acceleration, or cyclic recursion.

Artist Statement

In contemporary society, individuals’ lifespans are frequently delineated by societal norms dictating particular milestones or achievements for various stages of life. However, artists aspire to transcend these conventional boundaries by employing the concept of “time warp” to facilitate a nuanced exploration of temporal dimensions. This artistic endeavour endeavours to depict a phenomenon wherein time manifests itself as malleable, exhibiting characteristics such as bending, deceleration, acceleration, or cyclic recursion.

Artist Statement

In contemporary society, individuals’ lifespans are frequently delineated by societal norms dictating particular milestones or achievements for various stages of life. However, artists aspire to transcend these conventional boundaries by employing the concept of “time warp” to facilitate a nuanced exploration of temporal dimensions. This artistic endeavour endeavours to depict a phenomenon wherein time manifests itself as malleable, exhibiting characteristics such as bending, deceleration, acceleration, or cyclic recursion.

Artist Statement

Artist Statement

Artist Statement

Artist Statement

“I remember walking into Musée d’Orsay; I was especially drawn to certain sculptures. As I checked the labels, it was always a Rodin. I guess he “spoke” to me, as his sculptures are full of emotion and character, celebrating the natural beauty of the human form without pretence. Elemental to me was the link between thought and form. This epiphanic moment revealed to me that inner thought could be expressed in line, shape and human form. In this series, I am creating sculptures within this similar vein in ceramics, with the hope of forming a connection with the Master, and, in the process, having a conversation through a timeless sculptural dialog.”

Artist Statement

“I remember walking into Musée d’Orsay; I was especially drawn to certain sculptures. As I checked the labels, it was always a Rodin. I guess he “spoke” to me, as his sculptures are full of emotion and character, celebrating the natural beauty of the human form without pretence. Elemental to me was the link between thought and form. This epiphanic moment revealed to me that inner thought could be expressed in line, shape and human form. In this series, I am creating sculptures within this similar vein in ceramics, with the hope of forming a connection with the Master, and, in the process, having a conversation through a timeless sculptural dialog.”