BOXED IN
A group exhibition curated by Ivan Gabriel
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Featured Artwork
with Artists' Statements
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Boxed In I, Boxed In II by Aboud Fares
The time this sculpture was created and feelings of entrapment, Boxed In was like taking a selfie! Things I Can't Say Out Loud by Carey Junior
In recent days, we can't simply express or say things that we truly feel due to societal validation. We're talking about - Emotion Suppression, for example, consists of "inhibiting the outward signs of your inner feelings" and this can actually endanger your health and well-being, both physically and psychologically (yikes). When it comes to regulating difficult emotions, there are two ways most people respond: they act out or they suppress. Suppress no more -- the box is here for you to write down the things you can't say out loud, it's a safe harbour ( promise ). What Secrets Does The Forest Hold by Esther Geh
I wanted to create a box that can be filled with treasures ( whatever that means for each individual). Something that felt a little vintage, with images that were more illustrative than my regular style. A touch of “The Secret Garden” meets a magical tropical rainforest! That was how “What Secrets Does The Forest Hold” evolved. 2026 by Hungry Goat
The concept behind this piece resides in 2020 being the year when climate change became a reality for most. At the pace human is heading disregarding sustainability to fulfil human made needs and supporting the cheapness and rapid production of everything with plastic, we will end up destroying ecosystems and replacing them with plastic human made Nature or new nature. We are capable to replicate the works of nature, make them exclusive and have them delivered as a commodity to our house as any other product. The Treasure of Your Heart I, The Treasure of Your Heart II (diptych) by Jonathan Yun
The Treasure of Your Heart ( I and II ) is a study on Duality with a commentary on popular culture of today. The boxes were a perfect representation of the physical body or external shell that houses the soul and mind of the internal self. The gold paint symbolizes the treasures we accumulated within our lifetime be it values and internal wealth we have invested in or external looks and material wealth which we have surrounded ourselves with! The tiny heart in the centre of each of the 2 boxes is actually a wearable piece of art in the form of a ring. It represents the core or soul of the person whereby the condition of the core is very much influenced by the surrounding internal self. The Treasure of Your Heart I illustrates a black exterior with a golden interior and with a centrepiece of a golden gemstone encrusted heart. We each have 24 hours and the more time we spent on selfless deeds devoted to others, the less time and resources and effort we can afford to spend on our physical being. The Treasure of Your Heart II shows a golden exterior with a black interior that has a centrepiece of a blackened oxidised black gemstone encrusted heart. Hours spent on building a beautiful golden shell that is the admiration of many will unfortunately result in neglect of building a character that is kind and caring. The two boxes illustrate the extreme and opposite poles but the truth is that most will have a bit of both, a not too shabby shell and a reasonably okay soul...that said, today with the emphasis of social media, Box II is not far off the truth! And now that you cannot unsee this, the question beckons, which box are you? What I Wanted To Be When I Grew Up by Lusy Koror
Both artists (Lusy and Vatsn) were told as children that their dreams were too out of the box, and unachievable, but here the dreams are… in the in box and completely achieved. Lusy is an artist, teacher, and mum. Vatsn is a mechanic, entrepreneur and RC car restorer. The message is that anything can be achievable if you really want it, and it doesn’t matter how outlandish your dreams are. RABAK KERAjaan (diptych) by Maizul Affendy
RABAK KERAjaan is metaphorical usage of our political dilemma and drama in Wawasan 2020. RABAK, when translated to the Malay language means, 'torn apart'. And, the word, KERAJAAN which means the government, can also be separated to - KERA which means monkey/chimpanzee and the word, Jaan, which is still a prominent word, to signify the rule. Chimpanzee is a political animal in the Jungle, which can be coincidentally associated with this series. Boxed In But Spilling Out by Marianne Klerk
A tree is a treasure of nature constantly evolving. Shapes, textures, colors. Seasons vary as does light, creating endless expressions like the ones spilling out of my box... French Toast with Blueberries, Blueberry Box by Nasir Nadzir
This project is an interesting one, having the first box done around two weeks before Movement Control Order of the pandemic, the Blueberries Box was supposed to pair with a Blue Rubies Box as a juxtaposition. It was done in mind of having something fresh while experimenting with greeneries subject with acrylic paint, to venture out from my usual wildlife paintings and drawings. But lockdown and staying at home for a lengthy period of time really changed my views in lot of aspects, including this project. Out of everything that I longed for, I was really looking forward to spend time in a café, specifically with hot served French toast, fresh fruits on top, and a sweet drizzle, could be any syrup or honey. Probably with a hot coffee. Looking back, it could be because of high demand of bread and fresh fruits, mainly due to panic buying by the public in my area, only for the early part of the first lockdown. So, I visioned the feelings out, sorted the subject reference, and put it into the second box. With hope the second box could connect with the first box back to the viewers so their next move would be a nearby café, and fix themselves with a warm hearty meal. Ore Ark #1, Ore Ark #2 by sumidik
Threatened with destruction caused by man-made disaster due to the changing of social and economic conditions. Our cultural legacies are without difficulty and regularly leveraged as an enchantment for both domestic and worldwide tourists. Like ores which are usually extracted for profit by being mined. Whilst like an ark, something that offers protection and safety. Ore Ark when pronounced in Hokkien (Chinese dialect often and commonly used by the Chinese ethnicity of Penang, Malaysia ), meaning “black box”. Black box, which is also a resemblance to the device found in planes that provides vital information in air accident investigations. Ore Ark is the voice that is last heard from the demolition of the people that has evacuated from the gentrification of our heritage. Internal Monologues by Tiffany Choong
Internal monologues: to talk or not to talk, that is the question. With the rise of mental health issues in today’s society, especially with the challenges brought about by the widespread pandemic, the artworks were to start a conversation about this taboo subject. Many people hide their problems behind a mask or shell to avoid detection or seek help for fear of being ridiculed or ostracized. These two interactive boxes representing a male and female head can be arranged in several ways to try to make them reconnect. The viewer is invited to figure out the story, finish the narrative and explore further possibilities. Who are they? Are they a couple? Are they friends? Are they the same person? Love and Jealousy (diptych) by Tommes
Love and jealousy are emotions that cannot be controlled. Love makes you blind. Jealousy makes you furious. Some more. Some less. If you can compartmentalize them; box them in - you can see the vibrant colours of love... And the dull grey prospect of loneliness when you overdo your jealousy. When red turns into grey the fun goes away. Impermenance, Momentum by White Bones
Momentum - The rationale behind this piece was indirectly inspired by the past months events, from the MCO imposed on our country to the Belang Exhibition we did. Feeling a bit burnt out from drawing tigers, we decided to show some love to our canine friends and use a dog as the basis for this Boxed In artwork. We have always wanted to incorporate sculpture / installation like ideas into our artworks, playing with depth, layering each piece to create perspective and we felt this is a good opportunity to give it a head start. The materials are pretty standard stuff you can find in most stationery shops, acrylic paints with brushes, mount boards, glue, double sided tape and a cutting knife. We remembered the day before the MCO, we were panic buying art materials to ensure we would have enough to work on our boxes. The title of the artwork "Momentum" was chosen as we wanted to portray the illusion of movement inside the box and with our current living situation, it hits much closer to home, the idea of the dog always running but yet it could never escape its confinement, just like us (at least until the MCO is lifted). Impermanence - What about all the fragile and ever-changing moments in life? Nothing is ever the same. For this piece, I arranged different depths of elements to show what's right in front of you and what may be coming towards you. To further solidify the theme of temporariness, even the vellum paper used is carefully fitted to the box and not permanently glued on. Maybe, just maybe, someday we could remove it, move things around or even add things and cover it back. Because just like all of us, those are my impermanent moments in life. |
Ko Tak Peduli, Sanitary Box Set by Bibichun
Ko Tak Peduli - Based on the short form of Ko tak (Kamu tidak), care box is word played to be You Don't Care. Hence the sticker of Orang Utan being torn off. Sanitary Box - During the early weeks of the Movement Control Order, Narrow Marrow released the sanity cake slice to help ease the difficulty of self quarantine. Absinthe Garden: Her, Absinthe Garden: Him by ERYN
When Ivan approached me with the concept for Boxed In, I immediately agreed because it fits what I've been doing with my art since 2015. I wanted to push my layered papercuts further and this was the perfect platform to do so. Still, I had a hard time starting my pieces until one day, in a fit of frustration, I mixed the greenest green I could and painted the inside. That got my imagination working and the idea of the Absinthe Garden was born. The Absinthe Garden explores our inner craving for desires that can never be satisfied. It is hallucinatory, illusionary, and we lose control of who we are chasing these desires. The central characters of each piece are reaching out, chasing paper winged hearts to satisfy their hollow chests. Fragments from glossy magazines have been turned into grotesque flora and a hidden locust leers from the vines. I wanted to evoke a sensation of crawling and confusion where the familiar has become distorted, which was how I felt when the global pandemic stuck and what was once normal got turned on its head. Pinhole Camera, Self Portrait by Jakob Zuyten
These past few months this title can sum up the entire worlds situation, everybody’s boxed in.. Going from taking the freedom of our daily lives and routines for granted, to suddenly being told when and how we can do what and where. Not only the body, but also the soul under lock and key. Stuck with only my thoughts and anxieties as company. How can I show you what’s on my mind? Take a selfie? Komunikasyon (diptych) by Jose Ilao
I believe in the power of communication and that open and honest communication is the key to successful relationships of any kind. The landscape of communication and technology is ever-changing and this only strengthens the need for communication across generations; to learn from, guide and support one another. With the current situation, it is more important than ever to consider the art of communication and the power it has to empower, support and inspire one and all. Keep Calm and Carry On by Lijynn
What I enjoy most about the process of making art is the conversation I have with the universe. This time my question was “How can art be of comfort to people going through a crisis?” The covid 19 pandemic had certainly taken a toll on many around the world and I wanted to create something that is healing, something that can give some relief to those holding their breaths while having to trudge on no matter what. Breathing is essential to life. Although it is a natural occurrence that we hardly need to think about but yet, a certain unpleasant thought or feeling can easily affect the way we breathe. A shallow breathing is often times the case when one is under stress. And when in shock we hold our breath. The question then came "if an unpleasant experience can affect the efficiency of our breathing, what then can improve it? And how can an art piece be the instrument in relieving the stresses of life’s uncertainties?" I was beginning to feel boxed-in myself when everyone started singing the same tune of anxiety. It was drowning me to a point I desperately needed to come up for some air. At that moment the voice from the universe whispered "Perhaps good old oxygen can help everyone keep calm and carry on?" Keep Calm and Carry On - This is a box of spaciousness. The white is merely light. If you look gently into the light, you will find your breathing slow down and become deeper. The noise in your head will began to quiet down as oxygen enters your lungs. Take your time and allow your body to relax... inhale... hold... exhale... Thank you for spending time with this artwork. The (Missing) Piece I, The (Missing) Piece I by Mawar
This piece is about the data or information that we keep in our minds: memory. We collect these memories from what we see, hear, feel, smell and taste everyday, all the time. But we can't remember everything. Some memories stay with us for a short period of time, some get distorted along the way. Those that stick longer are memories that are repeatedly played in our minds or those that are highly rewarding. Now, we rely on technology to capture and store data so that we don't have to "memorise" them because we can’t afford or just want to avoid human errors. Technology can preserve data better and longer than our human minds. The Queen's Wreath could forever stay purple as a photo stored in your phone. The Queen's Wreath in your mind could eventually change its colour or even its shape. Maybe it’ll just turn brown or fade into the background, and then it’ll be gone forever. **The piece of Queen's Wreath in the box was plucked from my garden. It is quite an amazing sight when it’s in full purple bloom. And then it turns brown and sandpaper-like. Occasionally I'd pluck the dried flowers and let it spin like a helicopter down to the ground. A Shelf for Your Precious Things, Another Shelf for Your Precious Things by Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson
I spontaneously painted my boxes using colour & patterns. I decided to keep the shape of boxes as is, to use as shelves for display. Anyone who knows me, knows that I collect all sorts of thing. I have so many collections of different things. I keep many of them in boxes, trunks & chests. While looking at the title of this exhibition ‘Boxed IN’ I thought of my beautiful things unseen, hidden inside my trunks & chests. With this in mind I though these boxes would be hung & would display some of my small precious things. The color & patterns on the surface of the box shelf, are in some way a kind of distraction which would force you to look harder & to pay a little more attention to the items displayed in the boxes. Vicious Circle (diptych) by Thomas Powell
It feels like we are at a turning point in human history. The further we look into the past the more one can see major human civilisations and their ways of life cease to be. "In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it." - Ernst Fischer It seems the future generations will be facing major issues from every single angle and the current systems in place are not adequate to deal with the necessary changes needed to make our planet and the human race live sustainably or in peace. Coupled with two diagrams these two pieces try to highlight the world we have now and perhaps a world that could be. We have the technology, we have the (hu)manpower, we have the logistical Means and we have the need. A Fish Tail (diptych) by Tina Lee Degreef
The idiom "a fish tale" means it’s a big lie. The phrase alludes to the tendency of fishermen to exaggerate the size of the fish they've caught or lost out on. The original concept of this project was simply a parody of "the BIG one that got away!" Over the long break during our various stages of Movement Control Order (MCO), this project gained more depth. It was a realisation that no matter what we have lost or could have achieved, we need to cherish what we already have. It’s a reminder that what we already have is far more precious. What I Wanted To Be When I Grew Up by Vatsn
Both artists (Lusy and Vatsn) were told as children that their dreams were too out of the box, and unachievable, but here the dreams are… in the in box and completely achieved. Lusy is an artist, teacher, and mum. Vatsn is a mechanic, entrepreneur and RC car restorer. The message is that anything can be achievable if you really want it, and it doesn’t matter how outlandish your dreams are. Dreamer Series - Constitute by Low Chee Peng
The concept behind this artwork comes from surreal imagination and the idea that there are a lot of wild thoughts that occur in dreams. In the midst of a very complex composition, with the many squares that are 'passing through' the box, a third eye seem to appear within the abstract deconstructed face to view this very unusual world. The floating cloud in the box above the face depicts the thoughts that occur within the brain itself. Amongst the maze of tangled squares, the calmness of the state of mind is sought after. There is an infinite space of imagination in the integration where everything can happen in another parallel space. |
