We r Gen-Y

Generally speaking, ‘Generation-Y’ refers to those who are born between 1980 and 1990. Throughout the relatively new history of Malaysian art which is progressing day by day, many including the ‘Gen-Y’ kids have benefited from this rapidly-growing, creative industry. It is safe to say that the local art scene evolves parallel with the existence of art institutions, museums, schools, galleries, and auction houses. What lies ahead for the newcomers is to come up with a strategy in their respective exploits.

Reflective to the local scenario, there has not been much of a significant change in term of visual or style but rather stratification of methods and approaches in art making process. Nowadays, the art audience can appreciate arts in various kind of implementation in the likes of paintings, sculptures, installations, art performances, digital media art, so on and so forth. However, it is rather interesting in Malaysia whereby the art seems cemented to the preference of two-dimensional plane over others. It is a downright challenge to art practioners to come up with newer, better visuals.

To me, artists coming from Gen-Y are nothing more but a new group of people in a new era, embarking in a journey of art, trying to separate what is current and what is future. To say that the burden of leading an art movement solely lies on top of their backs is an overstatement. But somehow, they are deemed as the generations that will spark innovation while respecting the traditions of the past.

G13 gallery is proudly presents Gen-Y, a group exhibition featuring 10 young artists. Gen-Y is a group of emerging artists that demands attention and recognition from the eye of the public.  The group exhibition seeks to showcase the strength and talent of the newcomers in the local art scene.

Gen-Y line up is comprised of a mixture of newcomers; Ismail Awi, Raimi Sani, Syahmi Jamaluddin,  Syed Fakaruddin and regular emerging artists who has already exhibited with G13 gallery in the past exhibitions; Chayanin Kwangkaew, Choon Soon Leong, Heikal Taki, Nik Shazmie, Safar Zin and Yuki Tham.

The newcomers are no strangers to the local art scene themselves as they have been actively exhibiting in various art galleries. This group exhibition denotes their first collaboration with G13 gallery. G13 gallery is among other art galleries in Malaysia that has always show support in acknowledging local talents.

Although lacking years of experience in the field, these young and emerging artists strived to produce artworks worthy of public’s attention through the implementation of various styles and the ideas being brought forth. There is a saying that goes “age is a state of mind”. However, one must not underestimate the mind of the young ones. Albeit differ from the maturity and the skill sets of an established on, Gen-Y is those who determined to prove their point and value. Gen-Y is about reasserting their place/presence in this world.

With the sole purpose of re-introducing the participating artists to their new audience, Gen-Y group exhibition will be curated with no specific theme that limits the narration of the artist. Aside from encouraging young artists to explore beyond their creative limitation in each respective capability, G13 gallery hopes to unlock their artistic potentials to the extreme. It gives us a great pleasure to present you, Gen-Y group exhibition for the month of June 2016.

Click to view Artist Profile

• Yuki Tham
• Raimi Sani

• Nik Mohd Shazmie
• Chayanin Kwangkaew
• Safar Zin
• Heikal Taki
• Chong Soon Leong
• Ismail Awi
• Syed Fakaruddin
• Syahmi Jamaluddin