Installation view at S.E.A. FOCUS 2022, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 15 – 23 January 2022
Installation view at Richard Koh Fine Art, Gillman Barracks, 14 – 29 January 2022
Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) is pleased to announce its participation at the S.E.A. FOCUS 2022 exhibition Chance Constellation with a presentation by Zelin Seah (b. 1980). The showcase will run from 15 – 23 January 2022 at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Road #01-05, Singapore 089065, with an extended platform at Block 47 Malan Road, #01-26 Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109444.
There is a flat and concealed world: the skimmed walls, the flat screens, and the expressionless faces. Underneath this seamless nature, there are many that we hide, such as pipes and wires, and emotions. The works of Zelin Seah from recent years address similar issues on the spiritual void that derive from digitalization. In The Two-Dimensional Man, Seah attempts to reinterpret the aesthetics of ancient relief by exploring knife-carving techniques on the surface of the paintings. He sees it as an act of mining out the possible meaning from the void.
Seah constantly finds himself confined in the limited space of modernity and the recent periods of lockdown have exacerbated this condition. The Two-Dimensional Man is a metaphor he borrowed from the ‘lying flat’ movement initiated by the younger generation in China – suggesting a new attitude towards life: lying flat, turning to slow life, leaving room for thoughts, and corresponding to the scientific progressive social pressure. As a response, this series hints at the artist’s will to ‘stay flat’ in the over-progressive modernity.
Zelin Seah (b.1980, Malaysia) received BFA at University of Central England (2007). Seah investigates the neglected ordinary spaces and objects that constitute human activities. Having in appreciating the aesthetic of the unseen, his process-based approach emphasizes the negative space that eyes may miss. Often site-related, Seah’s works deal with the limitations of space, and seeks possible ways to fill spiritual void. Seah uses materials that convey metaphorical meaning to him, and always challenges formal methods, from classic painting, etching, carving to weaving.
Seah’s works have been acquired for public and private collections, including ILHAM Gallery (2020), Singapore Art Museum (2019), National Art Gallery Malaysia (2012) and University of Central England (2007). He has exhibited widely internationally, including The National Art Center Japan (2011), Saatchi Gallery United Kingdom (2014), Art Stage Singapore (2015, 2016), and Cammin Castle Germany (2019). Seah has been invited to join several residency programs, included: Southeast Asia Exchange Residency SAGER (2012, 2013), AIR Frankfurt (2017) and Residenz Cammin (2018). His awards include: The Jury’s selection of recommended works at the 14th Japan Media Arts Festival (2011), The Young Guns Awards Malaysia (2013), and Silver for UOB Painting of The Year Malaysia (2016, 2017).

Zelin Seah – Two-Dimensional Man
15 - 23 January 2022
S.E.A. FOCUS,
Tanjong Pagar Distripark,
39 Keppel Road #01-05,
Singapore 089065
15 - 22 Jan 2022, 1 - 8pm
23 Jan 2022, 1 - 5pm
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14 - 29 January 2022
Richard Koh Fine Art
Blk 47, Malan Road, #01-26 Gillman Barracks
Singapore 109444
Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 7pm
Closed on Sundays, Mondays and Public Holidays