Style and Concept of Contemporary Southeast Asian Art

Style and Concept of Contemporary Southeast Asian Art
a lecture by Marjorie Chu @ Singapore Art Museum, 11 March 2006

Spirituality is pursued by Asian artists through Zen Buddhism or meditation.

Surasit Saokong was trained in the classical style of Thai painting. The serenity in the interior of a temple is opulent yet quiet with a spirit of worship. The only source of light is from the window which adds to the spiritual focus to the painting.	Surasit Saokong Serenity 2, 1992 watercolour on paper, 62 x 42 cm
Montien Boonma talked about impermanace of life often as he suffered a great tragedy when his wife died at a young age and he himself died from cancer soon after. His works are difficult to collect as most are installations. This cast bronze bowl is the only portable work by Montien that I have seen. I would interpret the rows of teeth lining the inside of the bowl as part of the remains long after the soul has left the body.	Montien Boonma (Thailand, 1953-2000) Untitled, 1996 brass, 80 x 80 x 30 cm
Tan Swie Hian explores his subconscious mind and his paintings reflect this meditative quality. His choice of colours or subject matter is profound yet simple and childlike.	Tan Swie Hian (Singapore, b. 1943) If I Could Have A Durian Tree, 1997 mixed media, 97 x 123 cm
Vasan Sitthiket explains in his painting the teachings of Buddhism in the good overcoming evil.	Vasan Sitthiket (Thailand) Phra Maha Chanok mixed media, 200 x 200 cm
Nyoman Sukari’s painting expresses the inner energy of the spiritual mind.	Nyoman Sukari (Indonesia, b. 1968) Spirit Woman, 2000 oil on canvas, 150 x 145 cm
Made Budhiana visualises colours and shapes in his subconscious mind and he lets them flow onto his painting freely. The additional lines and shadings are added later to complete the work.	Made Budhiana (Indonesia, b. 1959) Energi Merah / Red Energy, 2000 mixed media on paper, 55 x 70 cm
Natthawut Singthong is a young artist who captured the imagination of collectors because of the stillness of his black shape.	Natthawut Singthong (Thailand, b. 1978) Rose-Space , 2006 acrylic on canvas , 50 x 70 cm
The spiritual energy of Kumari Nahappan’s painting Surya Series 99 Number Twocomes from the yellow and red colours as they represent the sun that provides light and thus growth. The brown colour in Nine-O-Nine (B) is inspired by sandalwood which has healing properties.	Kumari Nahappan (b. Malaysia 1953) Nine-O-Nine (B), 2001 oil on canvas, 125 x 125 cm
Kumari Nahappan (b. Malaysia 1953) Surya Series 99 Number Two, 1999 oil on canvas, 88.5 x 88.5 cm