LIM SOON NGEE
Form-ing: Materials & Processes: works by Lim Soo Ngee
Date : 8 Feb 2006 to 7 Mar 2006
Form-ing: Materials & Processes: works by Lim Soo Ngee is the third of an
on-going series of exhibitions that deal with different art processes by
artists. This year, the exhibition focuses on wood as the primary material, and
aims to showcase the artist's distinct treatment in the use of wood.
In our consumerist society, it is facile to judge art as a ready-made product.
This presentation shifts our focus from viewing art as such, and guides us along
the process of art-making - from understanding the artist's motivations through
the technical evolution of a piece of wood to become a finished piece of art.
Our understanding for carved wood is stretched by the artist's thought provoking
treatment of the material in his creations.
Lim Soo Ngee's new works entitled "Paradise" and Perfect Lovers" features nine
new sculptures and six drawings.
Lim Soo Ngee is a veteran
artist who has done mainly works with wood, a natural material that allows him
to explore different relationships between environment and society. Besides
being an artist, he is also a lecturer at Nayang Academy of Fine Arts teaching
art, sculpting and drawing.
Artist's Statement
I believe that everyone has their own secret garden hidden in their inner soul,
and assume that it is the "paradise" built by their own experiences. This
"paradise" could be a temple located on holy land, a beautiful tropical garden
filled with blooming flowers. Their own statue could be standing high on the
monument or a humble tiny hut sitting alone on the earth.
This "paradise" would be appearing any time and anywhere like a scene from the
theatre to allow you being a leading role on the stage.
Colourful painted wood carved portraits with little animals and insects such as
white horse, cat and butterfly are used to represent the identity of the person.
No matter how ugly or pretty, hideous or handsome, bad or good, everyone would
choose a "perfect lover" according to their own judgement.