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.
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