Liquid Light - Contemporary Watercolor Showcase

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SINGAPORE – This July, an exhibition of contemporary watercolours to challenge preconceptions of the medium, will be showcased at Maya Gallery. Opening on Wednesday, 18th July 2018, Liquid Light celebrates the diverse ways artists are approaching watercolour and water-based media—from landscapes and figuratives, to abstraction and more.

Watercolour is one of the oldest and simplest mediums to use in fine art—you only need paints, water, a brush and paper. It is basically made up of colour pigment mixed with water.

Despite being easy to learn, watercolour has been perceived as a demanding art form—technically challenging and most difficult to master. It is often overlooked due to its regular association with simple detailed studies of flowers and 'plein air' landscapes, as compared to the more popular oils and acrylics. It is also not a forgiving medium. A mistake is not easily hidden and must be removed carefully.

Yet its fluidity, immediacy, transparency and versatility renders watercolour a natural, organic, creative and even sensuous medium on the cutting edge, almost a performance art, where the artists must brave the challenge to tame the dynamic nature of water. Famous Western artists like Albrecht Durer, Turner, John Sargent, Paul Klee, Shapiro, Georgia O'Keefe and Edward Hopper have all painted in watercolour. Their works are still an inspiration for many contemporary artists today.

In engaging with a natural, organic and creative medium where the artist must brave the challenge to tame the dynamic nature of water, artist-writer Dr. Janet MacKenzie says, "…contemporary watercolour can in fact free the creative process for many practitioners. It possesses an innate immediacy and sensual quality, and when it is amplified in scale it thus possesses great emotional resonance.”

Sensing a renewed interest in watercolour in recent years, Maya Gallery has put together an exhibition by 18 contemporary artists, including those selected from an Open Call in February 2018, who brave the challenge to engage in watercolour in compelling ways.

Indonesian artist Jedidiah Angkasa (b. 1996) depicts a family in intergenerational gatherings. In Come Eat (2018), she conjures a Chinese family at dinner, utilising the fluidity of watercolour and harnessing the nostalgic potential of the medium to invoke the memory of family traditions.

Malaysian artist Syafiq Hariz (b. 1986) focuses on political and social issues in his work, especially pertaining to governance and leadership. Back to Back(2018) depicts a detailed character akin to a crab walking through rocks and weeds underwater, presenting a fresh approach in discussing issues of politics and society.

Singaporean artist Nhawfal Juma’at (b. 1991) presents a body of work reflecting one’s mental and physical state during departure. Exodus: Of Something Else (2018) describes the visual thoughts of man in a state of exodus with his community, wandering aimlessly, dreaming only of a better place.

The exhibition also offers a chance to see rarely displayed early works by the late Sumatran-born Singaporean music composer, arranger and musician Wandly Yazid. A pupil of Indonesian master Wakidi, his interpretation of the Minangkabau landscape reinforces strong bonds with his heritage and culture.

Liquid Light invites viewers to discover fresh and wide-ranging ways artists are expressing this dynamic and spontaneous medium today.

Artists

Deusa Blumke (Brazil)
Idris Ali (Singapore)
Jedidiah Angkasa (Indonesia)
Jeffrey Wandly (Singapore)
John Wong (Malaysia)
Kamalakshi Saikia (India)
Masturah Sha'ari (Singapore)
Melanie Gooi (Malaysia)
Nadja Klueter (Siberia)

Nhawfal Juma'at (Singapore)
Shahnaz Ali (India)
Syafiq Hariz (Malaysia)
Tan Chye Tiong Ronald (Singapore)
Tumadi Patri (Singapore)
Valerie Ng (Malaysia)
Yap Zhiwen (Singapore)
Yusoff Latiff (Singapore)

MAYA GALLERY - LIQUID LIGHT