Queer visuality in Singapore, in the wake of the repeal of section 377A, should have become a little less coded – theoretically at least. The visual vocabulary of non-normative representation remains premised on the syntax of hiddenness that used to be imperative for survival. In an era of newly gained autonomy, the signs and symbols that the queer community has always identified with continue to linger on, ironically enough, like the elfish games or sugary candy of halcyon childhood afternoons. Curated by Louis Ho, Of placebos that sing sweet in the mouth and ache in the soul celebrates the visual codes and languages of queer representation that have never left us, from the semiotics of the male body to the suggestive iconography of fruit, to the aesthetics of kitsch and the stylings of BL (boys-love) media. The exhibition is an homage to the ways we were, and continue to be.
Haffendi Anuar (b. 1985, Malaysia) explores the kain pelikat, a colorful plaid tubular garment worn in parts of the global south, through his artwork. Drawing from childhood memories and various sources such as personal and archival photographs, social media, and the Internet, he examines the fabric’s origin, social use, and visual patterns. Reimagining the kain pelikat as hammocks, cradles, and nets, Anuar employs collage, layering, painting, and sewing techniques. He studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, and holds an MFA from the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University. His recent exhibitions include solo shows at A.I. Gallery in London (2021) and Richard Koh Fine Art in Singapore (2019). His works are part of collections at the Singapore Art Museum, Ashmolean Museum, and others. Anuar is a visiting tutor at the City and Guilds of London Art School and splits his time between London and Kuala Lumpur.
Johann Fauzi (b.1962, Singapore) is an artist specializing in painting, print, sculpture, and space-making. Trained in classical Western oil painting, he creates large-scale, immersive installations inspired by the gesamtkunstwerk tradition, integrating various artistic formats. His work appropriates and transforms Western art historical idioms to reflect the lifeworld of Malay-speaking Southeast Asia. Initially pursuing a corporate career, Johann later graduated from the University of South Australia and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore, earning his M.A. in Fine Arts in 2019 through a joint program with LASALLE College of the Arts and Goldsmiths, University of London. He has participated in notable group exhibitions like “2219: Futures Imagined” at the ArtScience Museum and “The Foot Beneath the Flower: Camp. Kitsch. Art. Southeast Asia” at the ADM Gallery, NTU. His recent solo exhibition, “#09-1464,” was held at Richard Koh Fine Art, Singapore.
Lucas Tan Yu Yang (b.2000, Singapore) is a painter whose creative ventures encompass figurative works and various forms of visual storytelling. His works, inspired by the relationship with his muses, delve into the universal nature of yearning and desire, magnifying the beauty and fragility of romance. Through his paintings, Lucas invites viewers into a world of human connections and shared experiences, characterized by tenderness and introspection. He holds a BA (Hons) in Fine Arts from LaSalle College of the Arts.
Money Wang (b.2000, Seremban, Malaysia) is a textile and print designer based in Seremban, Malaysia. He graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2020 with a degree in textile design. Following his graduation, Wang expanded his creative domain beyond the realm of the two-dimensional, embracing the world of wearables, furniture and other objects. His approach to design is deeply rooted in playful experimentation, allowing him to navigate across a broad span of mediums. His practice doubles as a source of meditative comfort and resilience amidst the uncertainty of the global pandemic, embodying a form of creative escape.
Samuel Xun (b.1994, Singapore) is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Singapore. His practice centers around the exploration of alternative identity and personal histories through sculpture, context-based installation, and textile composition. His work delves into the interplay of emotion and aesthetics in identity-building, often examining cultural and personal symbols inspired by film, philosophy, and personal narratives to encourage self-therapy and introspection.
Siew Guang Hong (b.2000, Singapore) is an interdisciplinary artist. He delves into biological and anatomical investigations to propose new ideas regarding the formation of identities. Fringe aesthetics speak to his interests and explorations of non-normative and marginalized bodies, where he connects post-humanist concepts to queer autobiography and absurdist obliteration. Siew has exhibited at Starch, Sculpture 2052, Pulse Gallery Bangkok, Straits Gallery, TIF Virtual Emerald Auction, and TheatreWorks. He has also conducted workshops at the Singapore Cancer Society and Singapore Management University. He is a recipient of the Lasalle Scholarship and the TIF-SOTA Scholarship and previously received the David Marshall Scholarship.
Of placebos that sing sweet in the mouth and ache in the soul (Curated by Louis Ho)
29 June - 20 July 2024
Richard Koh Fine Art,
Blk 47 Malan Road,
#01-26 Gillman Barracks,
Singapore 109444
Open on Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am - 7 pm
Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and Public Holidays
