distant call
paintings inspired by history by
KAY KOK CHUNG OI
Thursday 22nd April 2004 7 pm
Utterly Art Exhibition Space
208 South Bridge Road 2nd Level, Singapore 058757
Tel: 6226 2605
Mon-Sat 11.30 am - 8 pm Sun 12 noon - 5.30 pm
The exhibition runs till Sunday 2nd May 2004
The bright geometric shapes of Kay Kok Chung Oi’s paintings arrange themselves with neat regularity in their interlocking lines, triangles and honeycombs. This arithmetical precision links art to science, and combined with the classical Chinese lattice motifs she uses, is a suitable representation of Singapore, a nation which seeks excellence in mathematics, science and technology. A second series of more discernable cultural and material icons placed side by side with the more geometrical paintings assists the viewer in interpreting the abstract from the literal. For Kay, history and culture are used as portals or points of entry in the making of visual artworks. Art, as a mirror of society, helps to evoke or provoke viewers to contemplate their lives and their past. This fascinating approach leads Kay to historical texts for inspiration, in this case, Rickshaw Coolie: a People’s History of Singapore by Professor James Francis Warren, Visiting Professor at the Asia Research Institute, NUS. With Kay’s affinity for the past and her roots, we then understand how she answers the artistic summons of a distant call in her paintings.
The works illustrated are entitled Living Quarters. Both artist and author will be in attendance at the opening reception.
The book Rickshaw Coolie will be available for sale throughout the exhibition.
