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Superfluous Things: Paper transforms simple material into astounding artworks
An exhibition highlighting contemporary artists as storytellers focuses on the long tradition of paper manipulation.
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Collaboration: PHUNK from Singapore and Keiichi Tanaami from Japan pose with their artwork titled 'Eccentric City'. (Courtesy of PHUNK) (Courtesy of PHUNK/Courtesy of PHUNK)
An exhibition highlighting contemporary artists as storytellers focuses on the long tradition of paper manipulation.
Singapore Art Museum’s Superfluous Things: Paper exhibition is being held at its recently launched space, SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore, in Gallery 2 and The Engine Room. From a distance, people would not expect the presence of an art gallery as its location is primarily filled by industrial buildings.
Five artists are the focus of the show; Jumaadi, Li Hongbo, Nabilah Said, PHUNK & Keiichi Tanaami and Cheryl Teo, which is curated by Lim Chye Hong, head of Education, Access and Programmes at SAM.
Lim explained that paper had ambiguous qualities. Though a simple, everyday object, through the hands of the artists involved, paper is transformed into something of astounding beauty and creativity.
“The original idea for this exhibition was also to see from a point of view how we can make contemporary arts accessible as well. So, we want the audience to develop that curiosity for contemporary art and to lower the barrier [of] entry to some extent,” Lim told The Jakarta Post.
“We never thought that when it comes to paper it [could have] so much quality in it. And sometimes the material could lead the artists in a certain way. Some work [with the medium] in a more traditional way, and some with a more contemporary style,” Lim said.
As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides in Singapore, Lim is hopeful that this time around with the ease of border restrictions, along with Singapore’s community measures, visitors can enjoy the venue’s ambiance while exploring their curiosity at Superfluous Things: Paper.
