Wei-Ling Contemporary presents Art Caged/Uncaged

Featuring 10 Malaysian artists, Art Caged/Uncaged was inspired by classic Southeast Asian bird singing competitions, the kind once often seen at neighbourhood padangs (fields). These competitions still enjoy popularity in certain parts of Southeast Asia, but with rapid growth and development, the practice is quickly losing its prominence. Contemporary art, however, is growing exponentially.

How are these two linked?

Bird singing competitions entail small groups of enthusiasts and they gather in fields to display their prized birds, pitting them against others in competitions in an environment that isn’t so dissimilar with artists and their art.

Both small communities come together with a shared interest; it’s often a group that is exclusive (and reclusive), leaving the bulk of the general public unaware of the intricacies of their passion; and, like an open field, the gallery provides a setting that mimics the environment of bird singing competitions, where bird owners (artists) display their birds (artworks).

What’s most discernable about these two groups is that they both seem to have an impenetrable force field around them. People outside their immediate community are usually forced to play the role of spectator alone and little exchange is noted between the enthusiasts and its audience.

Art Caged/Uncaged is a bid to remove this invisible barrier by recreating the outdoors inside the gallery space and by providing an interactive experience with the artworks of Hasnul Jamal Saidon, Jeganathan Ramachandran, Lim Kok Yoong, Kojek, Khairul Azmir Shoib @ Meme, Shia Yih Yiing, Tiong Chai Heing, Umibaizurah Mahir, Wong Chee Meng, and Yap Sau Bin.

Artworks hanging from the gallery ceiling provide a unique viewing experience and sound works enhance the viewing of the cages created by the artists.

Don’t forget to participate in Art Caged/Uncaged’s competition, which replicates the experience of an actual bird singing competition. Vote for your favourite ‘birdsong’ like a judge in a real competition. The best slogan submitted by a member of the public and the artwork with the most votes receives a prize from CzipLee.

Wei-Ling Contemporary welcomes you to Art Caged/Uncaged’s padang, so take off your shoes to feel the grass beneath your feet and interact with the artworks.

Pack a picnic basket if you will.

Art Caged/Uncaged will be held at Wei-Ling Contemporary from July 2 – 30 and was curated by Rachel Jenagaratnam.
Yap Sau Bin will be performing Of Garden and Artifice on July 13, 7.00pm.

Website: http://www.weiling-gallery.com