The Gridded Ghosts Series, 2016

The photographic series was first shown in my solo exhibition entitled "After-image: Living with The Ghosts in My House" in January this year. The green cutting mat serves as a space of domestication in order to counteract the visuality produced by the state machine. Cut-outs from the printed materials collected during the Malaysian 13th General Election in May 5th, 2013 were "measured" and organized with the help of the grids on the cutting mat.

The 10 compositions slowly took form once I managed to discern the hidden advertising strategies employed in the game. The images of the electoral candidates presented either in passport photo or persuasive posture are void of any substantial existence because they are pure image aiming at circulating in the public sphere - the democracy of the spectacle.

Thus, we are constantly reminded that we should be content with the mediocracy.

Trickster, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Orator, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Blue Book, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Gamer, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Cabinet, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Papa, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Gurdian, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Magic Carpet, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

YB, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Mother, Minstrel Kuik, 2016, 60 x 40 cm, c-print

Her Story 1- 5 (29.7 cm x 21 cm each), oil pastel on paper, 2015

The five paintings in diptych were done for an art exhibition entitled My Story, My Strength: Doodle for Change, which was organized by Women's Center for Change (http://wccpenang.org/) in Penang during the Georgetown Festival in 2015.
Domestic violence against women happens everyday and everywhere. We live with it but we do not know how to deal with it. It requires tremendous courage from the victim to decide to end the vicious circle of a power dynamic in a couple that is dysfunctional. At the same time, our society should provide more support for them by giving temporary shelters and counseling platform.
Her Story 1- 5, which measure 29.7 cm x 21 cm each, pair an abstract painting with a portrait of a wounded woman. Some said the diptychs were too colourful. Indeed, I see violence in all colours.

十月的詩 － 四十大盜

四十大盜
偷了屬於我的
一棵樹，
兩個家，
三袋的米，
四朵花，
五顆種子，
六張照片，
七幅畫，
八張臉孔，
九根長髮，
十瓶酒。

Pictures taken in Kajang, 2014 - 2016

A Poem for September - A Will

black
white
yellow
three funerals 
and a minstrel show
death
the instrument
sings the weather

two bridges
endless farewells
housekeeper
you go
you stay
or I go
waiting
at the station