Girl in a Labyrinth of Food – Gan Sze Hooi PREVIEW

Gan Sze Hooi
91 x 116.5cm
Oil on Canvas
2025
RM11,000

Inspired by Pan’s Labyrinth, this artwork explores the tension between desire and restraint. It parallels a girl’s temptation in a maze with modern dilemmas—navigating a world of hidden traps and enticements.
Through mapping, I see a maze as a map, both symbolizing movement, decision-making, and control. These elements shape my artistic universe, bridging history, culture and personal narratives.
At its core, the work questions whether we control our desires or if they control us. The labyrinth represents life’s choices, where material temptations, advertisements, financial traps and illusions of wealth—lure many astray. This contrast appears in color: blue symbolizes restraint, while red embodies indulgence, especially among younger generations.
Reinterpreting historical symbols like Kapitan Yap Ah Shak’s body shape, the work reflects how traditions, choices, and temptations define our journey. The question remains, will we navigate wisely or be consumed by desire?