“Touch” is a joint exhibition by Singaporean artist couple, Lim Soo Ngee and April Ng Kiow Ngor. Sculptor Lim Soo Ngee presents his series of wood sculptures, while April Ng, a printmaker, showcases her latest collection of intaglio works. This is their first duo exhibition together in their art careers that have individually spanned almost three decades. “Touch” is a celebration of the seamless integration of philosophy and technique in the works of both artists, who have tenaciously developed their skills and innovation in their respective medium over the years.
Soo Ngee’s latest series portrays common people as superheroes and angels – or Street Heroes and Winged Portraits as he calls them; a humorous yet truthful expression about how we overcome life’s obstacles and struggles in our daily life, that are in many situations, super-human feats in themselves. He is also conveying a simple idea that every man has a kindness in him, regardless of his appearance. We are all one another’s angels.
Carving each personality from a single wood block and hand-painted, Soo Ngee imbues a playful, almost childlike quality in each character, dressed in simple everyday attire that are adorned with superheroes insignias. The winged portraits have angel wings that are at first glance barely noticeable until you turn around to look at the back of the sculptures; highlighting the thought that angels exist in our midst but are usually not immediately seen or recognized.
Soo Ngee’s sculptures exude charm and common touch through its unveiled and truthful portrayal of the various characters, with subtle details such as their physical attributes, attire, accessories, postures and facial expressions that allow a reading of their personality and inner thoughts and with the intention to provoke different thoughts and feelings in its viewers. The chiseled textures on the wood add to the depth and character of their personalities.
April’s approach in her artistic practice is a reflection of her attitude to life – simplicity. Her works are inspired by nature; nature distilled to its simplest forms and shapes; re-imagined as abstract landscapes that exuberates an atmosphere of calmness and meditative silence.
Movements and forms are captured in the layering of chromatically rich textures of the printmaking processes. They demonstrate a mastery of the print medium and an understanding of intricate relationship between dots, lines, forms, colours and space.
In her current works, the incorporation of embossing techniques leaves almost non-visible marks and traces on the paper bringing forth the concept of interdependence, while adding depth and tactile quality to her works. There is tangibility within seemingly nothing; the works focus on the inter-reliance between people, and between Man and Nature. To truly co-exist with nature, Man has to tune his sensory system to be more aware of the relative positions of their bodies to other non-visible organism within the same space.
Lim Soo Ngee graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art – Heriot-Watt University in UK with a Master of Fine Art in Sculpture in 1997, and from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Singapore with a Diploma in Fine Art (Sculpture) in 1989. Throughout his art career, he was won numerous awards and grants as recognition of his talents. As a thought leader in sculpture art, Soo Ngee has been actively in his participation of related workshops and symposiums all over the world to share his experience and exchange ideas with fellow practitioners. Having participated in group and solo exhibitions in Singapore and overseas, Soo Ngee’s works are in the collections of esteemed public and private institutions all over the world.
April Ng graduated from The Slade School of Fine Arts (University College of London) with a Higher Diploma in Printmaking (of equivalent status and standard to an Master in Fine Art) in 1993 and from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Singapore with a Diploma in Fine Art (Painting) in 1989. Since 1988, she has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Singapore and internationally. An award-winning artist, April Ng’s works are in corporate and private art collections worldwide.
About the exhibition
Duration: 27 May – 24 Jun 2017
Opening: 27 May 2017 (Saturday) 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Venue: ART PROJECTS GALLERY
Address: Unit 17A, 17/F, Regency Centre Phase 2, 43 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong
Courtesy of the artists and ART PROJECTS GALLERY, for further information please visit www.artprojectsasia.com.
