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Refrain - A Group Exhibition Curated by Vincent Leow Information

iPRECIATION is delighted to announce our highly anticipated group exhibition, “Refrain,” curated by Dr Vincent Leow, offering a unique opportunity to explore works created exclusively for this exhibition by Ee Poh Kiat (b. 1965, Melaka, Malaysia), Ye Shufang (b. 1971, Singapore), Jonathan Nah/Kiat (b. 1972, Singapore), Willy Tay (b. 1974, Singapore) and, Li Jiacheng (b.1995, Singapore), all of whom are exhibiting at iPRECIATION for the first time.

Dr Leow, a prominent artist and educator, curates this exhibition featuring talented artists he has long admired. As a key figure in Singapore’s contemporary art scene, his unique perspective invites us to engage deeply with their work.

The title “Refrain” draws inspiration from the concept of repetition and recurring themes, akin to the repeated lines in a poem or song. Just as a refrain recurs in music or poetry, this exhibition features artworks that explore variations on common themes, highlighting how each piece harmonises with each other, much like how each verse and word comes together to create a cohesive melody in a song or poem.

In this exhibition, over 40 new artworks will be shown, featuring artists from diverse backgrounds who employ a variety of styles and techniques, weaving their personal narratives into their work. Among these artists is Ee Poh Kiat, who wears many hats with finesse. Not only is he an artist who has participated in notable exhibitions, including one at Parco Urban Art Tokyo, selected by the Singapore Art Museum, but he is also a trained architect and contractor who founded his own design and construction services company. This unique combination of skills allows him to blend creativity with practical application, resulting in art that is rare and distinctive — an approach that is seldom encountered in Singapore.

Ye Shufang’s upcoming series, “Exercises in Saturation,” marks an exciting new chapter in her long-standing exploration “Exercises in Colour,” which she has been developing since 2009. This new series promises to be a compelling evolution, going deeper into her fascination with colour and form. Through overlapping lines and a structured framework of angles and colours in “Exercises in Saturation”, she seeks to understand the boundary between “paper” and “drawing,” contemplating how many lines and repetitions are needed for a drawing to emerge. Utilizing a basic 12-color watercolour palette, she crafts an infinite spectrum of colours, guiding us to discover the extraordinary beauty within the ordinary. This series raises intriguing questions about the nature of creation: how many lines and repetitions are necessary for a drawing to truly emerge? She enjoys highlighting the significance of the small and ordinary, leading us to appreciate the often-overlooked aspects of daily life. With her previous series, “Exercises in Shape,” she transformed kitchen tools like cookie-cutters and baking moulds into artistic motifs, celebrating their potential beyond utility. In her installations, she uses perishable materials like agar-agar and sweets to explore concepts of the ephemeral, prompting reflection on how we assign value to fleeting experiences and simple pleasures.Similarly, PK examines materials found at construction sites, reimagining and repurposing discarded elements. Together, they highlight how overlooked materials can be reinterpreted to reveal new dimensions of beauty and meaning.

Jonathan Nah, often referred to as Kiat, seamlessly blends his passions as a DJ and painter, employing a shared philosophy of creating visual harmony that reflects his musical practice of reprocessing both old and new elements. He paints only with his non-dominant hand, which enables him to disconnect from his conscious mind and explore new mark-making techniques without judgment. “Flanging Breaths”, delves into the interplay between the fleeting and the eternal, inspired by the rhythmic pulses of life, moving further into abstraction compared to his previous exhibition, emphasizing the layering textures and rhythms to create a sense of blurred time and space, blending organic forms with spontaneous, gestural strokes. The theme focuses on exploring the space between inhale and exhale—stillness and motion—drawing parallels to both music and mindfulness, particularly influenced by the fluid, meditative nature of Chinese calligraphy. Kiat references calligraphy for its mindful practice of breathing with each stroke, prioritizing the mental state over the visual outcome. For him, the process and intention take precedence, rather than the outcome, a guiding principle he intends to carry forward in this set of works.

A prevalent theme in Willy Tay’s new works is the lack of preconceived notions, rooted in his belief that art reflects society. As an artist within Singapore’s diverse community, his work is closely tied to it. He chooses topics based on current events and peculiar antiquities, aiming to examine how we interact with visual fragments that lead to reconstructed narratives. This approach uncovers visual tensions that bridge the mundane with the magical, providing alternative perspectives and an escape from reality. Li Jiacheng, a young emerging artist currently pursuing his studies in painting at Städelschule in Frankfurt, Germany, demonstrates a remarkable level of skill and creativity that belies his years of experience. His vibrant works draw inspiration from European masters of the Fauvist, Expressionist, and Neo-Expressionist movements.

Both Tay and Li explore themes of cultural displacement, the interplay between reality and myth, and the impact of historical contexts. Tay reflects on Singapore’s colonial legacy, using local events to create narratives that blend the ordinary with the extraordinary. Similarly, Li examines the coexistence of past and present, crafting dynamic visual stories that blur the lines between high and popular culture. Both artists engage with the tension between familiarity and the unknown; Tay addresses societal issues through visual fragments, while Li merges European art influences with his Southeast Asian roots. Together, their works reveal how personal and cultural histories shape our understanding of existence. As you engage with the artworks of these five talented artists With Dr Leow’s trusted vision shining a spotlight on their talent, you’ll appreciate their journeys and find connections to your own.

Exhibition Details

• Refrain - A Group Exhibition Curated by Vincent Leow
• Date: Nov 11 – 23, 2024
• Time: 10:00 – 19:00 (Mon – Fri), 11:00 – 18:00 (Sat), Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
• Venue: iPRECIATION
• Address: 50 Cuscaden Road, HPL House #01-01, Singapore 249724

Information Source: Provided by iPRECIATION