Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) Singapore is delighted to announce This Land is ( ) Land, a solo exhibition by Malaysian artist Seah Zelin, taking place from 22 February to 15 March 2025 at RKFA Singapore. This poignant exhibition delves into themes of transformation, displacement, and the fragile relationship between individuals and land.
In This Land is ( ) Land, Seah Zelin presents a deeply personal exploration of vulnerability and disconnection in the face of changing landscapes. The title, with its deliberate parentheses, invites viewers to reflect on the ambiguity and erasure of belonging, while creating space for personal narratives and interpretations. By centering on the voiceless – be it human or non-human – Seah examines how land ceases to be a home when its essence is reshaped, leaving behind an enduring sense of loss and longing.
Through his works, Seah brings attention to the subtle yet profound impacts of shifting land use and human intervention. His artistic process incorporates subtractive techniques, such as cutting, burning, washing, and scraping, to mimic the effects of logging, mining, and urbanization on natural landscapes. These interventions transform maps into dynamic, abstract spaces, challenging the authority of official depictions and offering fresh perspectives on land as a fluid, ever-changing entity.
Seah’s art is rooted in the exploration of complex phenomena and contradictions, drawing inspiration from contemporary life, social history, and natural science. By juxtaposing Malaysia’s official maps with shifting satellite imagery, he reimagines land through the Earth’s first-person perspective, creating works that question human-made boundaries and evoke an aesthetic of ambiguity.
Reflecting on his relationship with the natural world, Seah invites viewers to witness the beauty and loss intertwined in transformed landscapes. His art resonates with themes of memory, identity, and ecological change, providing a tactile, sensory experience that allows audiences to engage deeply with the present moment.
This Land is ( ) Land serves as both a visual and emotional confession, encouraging reflection on the shared vulnerability that binds us to place and the silent transformations that shape our world.
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 – This Land is ( ) Land
22 February - 15 March 2025
Richard Koh Fine Art
Blk 47 Malan Road,
#01-26 Gillman Barracks,
Singapore 109444
Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am - 7 pm
Closed on Sunday, Monday & Public Holiday