HOM Art Trans: January 2014

CIVILIZATION : Artwork

NG SWEE KEAT

My latest works are 6 paintings in oil and acrylic depicting two of the famous tragic characters in the early history of China and among the more popular plays in the traditional Chinese Opera namely Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu and his loyal consort Yu. These two characters were made famous to the world through Chen Kaige’s film ‘Farewell My Concubine’, based on the novel by Lilian Lee. The film starred the late Leslie Cheung and Gong Li. The film was awarded the Cannes Palm d’Or.

Initially, the idea was sparked by the current political tit-for-tat between opposing parties and their supporters in the country. However, it developed into something deeper. I feel that in general, all this power struggles that are being played out in the political arena are like the performances in a Chinese opera. Xiang Yu, also known as Ba Wang was a ruthless and treacherous conqueror, who is courageous but lacks wisdom, which led to his downfall while Consort Yu exemplifies the epitome of loyalty,

The Ba Wang character is actually caught between the struggles of his higher and lower self as represented subtly by the hero and demon characters of the Wayang Kulit that is reflected on his face. The fact the Ba Wang was too ashamed to escape back to his place of birth and committed suicide after losing the battle shows how greed and lust can have destructive ends.

The idea that a life is but a fleeting moment helpless to the ebb and flow of time and circumstances is symbolized by another supporting character from the wayang kulit and the fresh and dried flowers painted on the head dress of the Consort Yu, who had earlier committed suicide to release the burden on Ba Wang before his final battle.

Life is Like a Drama 1

2013 / Oil on canvas / 80 x 100cm / Sold

Life is Like a Drama 2

2013 / Oil on canvas / 94 x 114cm / Sold

Life is Like a Drama 3

2013 / Oil on canvas / 123 x 123cm / Sold

Life is Like a Drama 4

2013 / Oil on canvas / 123 x 123cm / Sold

Life is Like a Drama 5

2013 / Oil on canvas / 144 x 120cm / Sold

Life is Like a Drama 8

2014 / Acrylic on canvas / 183 x 152cm / Sold

Life is Like a Drama 7

2014 / Acrylic on canvas / 100 x 170cm / Rm7000

Life is Like a Drama 6 - Old House

2014 / Acrylic on canvas / 100 x 170cm / Rm7000

NUGROHO HERI CAHYONO

The Industrial Revolution began in England as early as the 18th century. It later expanded to all of Europe, North America and subsequently throughout the world. Its profound impact on the lives of people around the world has been immeasurable. Due to this, the Industrial Revolution has been referred to as a very important starting point for a new chapter in the development of human history.

During the Industrial Revolution, the train was undoubtedly one of the major contributors to the dynamism of this new mechanized era as it provided a reliable form of locomotion that could transport people and goods in vast quantities and over great distances faster and safer. Land-based commercial activities grew increasingly larger which resulted in intense labour demands and subsequently a sharp increase in household income. The advent of the train also saw previously local products becoming more accessible further afield.

In my work, I depict the train as a means that carries with it the waves of change in human civilization. The ebb and flow of human civilisation will continue unabated, maturing and consolidating over the passage of time.

To Enlightenment

2013 / Oil on canvas / 200 x 220cm / Sold

Welcome to the Machine (Collaboration with Michael Downs)

2012 / Oil on canvas / 205 x 242cm / Rm11500

Keretaku Tak Mau Berhenti # 1

2013 / Oil on canvas / 200 x 300cm / Rm11500 (Reserved)

Keretaku Tak Mau Berhenti # 2

2013 / Oil on canvas / 200 x 300cm / Rm11800

Dahulu, Sekarang, Dan Masa yang Akan Datang Kita Tetap Kaya Raya

2012 / Oil on canvas / 170 x 200 / Rm6800 (Reserved)

INTERES (International Residency) 2014

HOM Studio

9 Jan - 7 Feb 2014

TristramMiravalles

Born: October 12, 1983

(Negros Occidental, Philippines)

Paul TristramEstevanezMiravalles (second of four children) hails from the Visayas Region of the Philippines. Until his formal study in painting (La Consolacion College-Bacolod;Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Painting; 2006-2008), the artist was entirely self-taught.

Locally known as “Uzi,”Tristramis a home-grown talent of Bacolod City-The City of Smiles.However, the artist took on an entirely different route. In return, he offers one of the most tragic, haunting and provocative pieces amongst a rich myriad of Visayan artists; deviating from the often-pleasant imagery associated with their locality.

Tristram dissects his lifewith the death surrounding him.He mutilates himself through introspection so that he can, bit by bit, offer his stories as raw as can be, one canvas at a time. His tortured, mutated characters are often alone in grey-toned violently-muted textures. The artist’s aesthetic alleviation is sourced from the slopes, curves and descent of his days. Assume, if I may, that it is tragedy and disdain that prods him to paint and recount thoughts into artistic articulation and that it is in the absence of peaceful meanderings whereTristram ultimatelysets his brushes afire.

In 2011, he held his first solo exhibition entitled “Mentalshock of Tristram” in Gallery Orange, Bacolod Citywhich was an aftermath of his days behind bars against false accusations. The artist battled through his ten-day calvary as the scars of society were unraveling right before him. This was followed by his recent solo exhibition in Blanc Gallery, Quezon City last July, 2013 entitled “Shallow Grave” which discoursed the constant feeling of non-living amidst all existential proof.

TristramMiravalles was artist-in-residence of Project Space Pilipinas (PSP) in Mandaluyong City, Philippines in 2011 and Southeast Asia Artist Group Exchange Residency Program III (SAGER 3) in Jogjakarta, Indonesia last June, 2013.

www.tristram.weebly.com

Hanged Man / 2011 / Oil on Canvas / 122 x 184 cm

Santo Ninyo Dreams / 2013 / Oil on Canvas / 122 x 152.5 cm

Da Communion / 2011 / Oil on canvas / 183 x 213.5 cm

Frelan Laurel Gonzaga

Born: January 11, 1981

(Negros Occidental, Philippines)

Frelan Laurel Gonzaga is a well-rounded Visayan artist based in Negros Occidental, Philippines. His educational background in Marketing (University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Bacolod City, 1998-2005) and his musicalinclination made him artistically prolific.

Although he started a bit late in the visual art scene Frelan is anything but non-progressive. On the contrary, he has shown an impressive development within a short period of time; considering that he has remained focused on his music while supporting his family as well.

In 2011 he became a member of the Art Association of Bacolod (AAB) which paved way for his works to be made more visible to the local art audience. After actively joining more than twenty group exhibitions in the Philippines since 2008, he impressively came up with his first solo exhibition entitled-“Tindak”last June, 2013 in Gallery Orange, Bacolod City.

In “Tindak” (to kick, or to pedal) Frelan depicted his deep fascination with the humble workers of his hometown, particularly to pedicab drivers (a pedicab is a three-wheel transportation driven by the act of pedaling) or street vendors who are required to sell whole-day by pedaling through market areas.“For my first one-man exhibition, I tried to merge my impression of them and insights into their own personal tales. My works are not a judgment of them, but it is a retelling of a part of their lives, as what I learned and I observed on the streets of San Carlos City. I felt that a balance had to be created between the reality of a back-breaking existence, and the joy that can still rise up from a life spent in poverty. My use of bright vivid colors is an attempt to create that balance of happiness and sorrow,” states the artist.

If anything, this queer sense of relativity one has with Frelan’s outlook is, perhaps, because of his natural sensitivity to people and their stories of struggle. The air of familiarity might be rooted to the innate good of human nature which now’a’days seems to grow bleaker and bleaker. The artist looks into the different personas of people especially in the low-income economic areas of his region and flatters them with images of hope; an almost heroic and noble aura about them in the paintings.

Frelan is one of the artists in residence lined up in Project Space Pilipinas, Lucban, Philippines for 2014 and will soon put up a solo exhibition in Manila.

tindak (kick or to pedal) / 2013 / Oil on canvas / 62 x 107cm

'ulan pero kaya ra (hopeful amidst the rain) / 2013 / Oil on canvas / 91.5 x 122cm

sang una kontra karon (past vs. now) / 2013 / Oil on canvas / 62 x 122cm

YOUNG GUNS: Artworks

Akhmal Asyraf Mohd

The Distance Between Us

2013 / Carving on wood door frame / 212 x 280cm

Azam Aris

Hit the Lights

2013 / Acrylic & digital print on canvas / 200 x 305cm

Chitoo

What Turns Me On

2013 / Light switches on wood panel / 197 x 198cm

Chong Ai Lei

Sunny Afternoon

2013 / Oil on canvas / 200 x 200cm

Donald Abraham

Setiap Satu Situasi Pembakar Semangat didalam Kegelapan

2013 / Acrylic & mixed media on canvas / 152.5 x 305cm

Fadilah Karim

Beautiful Tangle

2013 / Oil on Linen / 263.5 x 187cm

Haslin Ismail

Ultramundane No.15: Metropolis

2013 / Acrylic & oil pastel on jute / 182.5 x 244cm

Najib Bamadhaj

Life After People

2013 / Acrylic & oil on jute / 187.5 x 248.5cm

Ruzzeki Harris

Fragile, Handle With Care

2013 / Mixed media on canvas / 259 x 207cm

Samsudin Wahab

Artist Crossing

2013 / Acrylic on canvas / 258 x 259cm

Zelin Seah

The Unknown Adventure

2013 / Oil on linen / 200 x 360cm ( Diptych)

Anisa Abdullah

Separuh Nafas

2013 / Collage & acrylic on canvas / 200 x 200cm

Al-Khuzairie Ali

Match Fixer

2013 / Ceramic, digital print on canvas, PVC alphabet & plexiglass in wood box

152 x 204cm

Adopted Residency (A-RES) is a six-month residency programme designed for young and emerging local artists to start creating their name and building their own career in the local art scene.

The programme emphasizes on committed studio practice that serves as guidance in art direction and technique for the resident artists, fully supervised by HOM Art Trans and guest artists. They will also be exposed to the reality of being a full time artists.

Towards the end of the programme, all the artworks that are produced during the residency will be exhibited for public viewing.

Southeast Asia Art Group Exchanged Residency (SAGER) is a regional residency programme organized by HOM Art Trans (Malaysia), SageJogja (Indonesia) and Projectspace Pilipinas (Philippines).

The exchanged residency takes in artists with at least five years of experience and SAGER enables Malaysian, Indonesian, and Filipino artists to foster and strengthen regional ties, as well as to network and establish a better understanding of their neighbours.

The residency entails 30-days each in Kuala Lumpur, Jogjakarta and Manila. During this time, artists-in-residences not only produce artworks for exhibitions in each city, but also partake in studio visits, gallery and art institution visits, as well as introductions to significant art collectors and art communities.

Aside from these physical dialogues, SAGER also fosters a visual dialogue, as artists from these three countries are encouraged to engage in cross-cultural meditations and to broach new visual languages in their works.

ARTRIANGLE is an exhibition showcasing the latest artworks from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore. With the purpose of increasing the appreciation of art in this region through a more open network of exchange and to further inculcate closer working ties amongst our artists, it aspires to energies a 4-way art dialogue between these countries and inadvertently, adds more excitement to the art scene in Southeast Asia.

ARTIANGLE is also a fund-raising event. Benefits from the sales of the exhibition will be channelled to the MATAHATI Art Fund (MAF).

MAF is an effort that provides funds to support visual artists and help the art scene in general. It will go towards assisting in the welfare of those artists in need, which includes incidences involving natural disasters, accidents and health issues. MAF is also used as a grant for artists to initiate art projects and art activities.

Artaidartist is a social media platform that’s purpose and intention is to introduce and market fine artworks in a series of virtual exhibitions. This platform was initiated in efforts to support artists who have been affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic, and who have struggled to make ends meet during the continuous implementation of MCO.

Artists whose works are sold will be entitled to fifty percent of the sale of their works, while the remaining fifty percent will be donated to participating artists whose works were not purchased during the showcase. The distribution of profit will not only represent a community of artists coming together in solidarity towards those in financial need, but will also provide support to as many artists as possible..

Artaidartist is an open call that involves all Malaysian visual artists, comprising of young, emerging, and established. Featuring some of their best work, all artworks will be capped between RM500 to RM5000. This special offer which is below the market price, will allow the sale to be more accessible and affordable to a larger pool of art enthusiasts and young collectors.

MEA Award is a biennial competition that honours the most promising young artists in Malaysia. Its main goal is to recognize the country's top emerging talents and to give them the opportunity to break into the local and international art scenes.

The 5 artists with the highest number of votes from a panel of respected juries will receive cash prize, coucher for art materials, 10-day travel grant to a city in Southeast Asia and a showcase of their works.

MEA Award is joint-organized by HOM Art Trans and Galeri Chandan.