ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair (2023)

Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) is proud to announce its participation in the highly anticipated ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair 2023, where the gallery will present a captivating showcase featuring an exquisite survey of Southeast Asia artists. The fair is scheduled to take place from November 9^th to 12^th, 2023 at Shanghai Exhibition Center, No.1000 Middle Yan An Road, Shanghai, China.

RKFA’s booth at ART021 will serve as a testament to the gallery’s commitment to promoting and celebrating exceptional contemporary artists from the Southeast Asia region. This showcase will bring together a diverse range of artworks by Justin Lim (Malaysia), Winna Go (Philippines) and Zac Lee (Malaysia). This unique presentation will offer visitors an immersive experience into the rich and vibrant artistic landscape of the Southeast Asia.

Justin Lim’s (b.1983, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) recent body of work, “Private Vanitas”, delves into the beauty of everyday life, capturing fleeting moments often overlooked. His pieces pay homage to the age-old tradition of Vanitas paintings, offering a modern interpretation. The series includes two remarkable works: “Balcony Blues” (2023) portrays the resilience of nature through two distinct plants, and “It was only yesterday” (2023) reflects on the heart of a home, the kitchen, as a place of solitude and abundance. These pieces serve as intimate yet mysterious glimpses into the transient nature of existence.

In the midst of a rapidly changing world, painting has become the artist’s sanctuary. It provides a window to observe, to deconstruct, and to frame reality within the artist’s perception. These works, collaged and imaginary, seek to reflect contemporary reality, offering narratives woven from elements of daily life.

Winna Go’s (b. 1997, Philippines) works invite us to contemplate identity, colonialism, and cultural fusion. “Puzzled Identity (Baro at Saya)” (2023)weaves together Chinese silk and Piña fabric to visualize the hybrid culture of Chinese Filipinos.  “The deConstructed series (Rebirth)” (2023) explores the idea of embracing destruction for artistic creation, delving into the themes of vulnerability and renaissance.

Through her art, the artist seeks to unravel the complex threads of identity and colonial history. “Puzzled Identity (Baro at Saya)” encapsulates the richness of hybrid cultures, while “The deConstructed series (Rebirth)” explores the cycle of destruction and creation.

Zac Lee’s (b.1968, Johor, Malaysia) latest series, “On The Road”, invites viewers to embrace the beauty of life’s slower moments. Through meticulous observation, he captures the essence of journeys, celebrating the unique stories each road holds. Life’s true essence often unfolds in its quiet moments. “On The Road” urges us to savor the journey, for it is in these moments that we find the true vibrance of life.