黄维 (b.1914 - unknown) the boy with the tiger, c. 1967
2011 | Oil on canvas | 150 x 130 cm
 
 

artist statement
2011 has been a time of political upheaval in SE Asia. The diptych of the two old adversaries, Mahathir and LKY are created in a Dutch wedding portrait format as we look to a different future. Based on old photos, I portray them in a fashion quite contrary to their image as big, strong, infallible leaders.

The newspapers, which are barely visible after being whitewashed with encaustic, mark the political climate of each country with Singapore's GE and Malaysia's Bersih 2.0.

 
ALAN OEI
artist profile
Alan Oei (b.1976) founded and runs Salon Projects, a curatorial initiative which develops art in unusual environments such as 2009’s warehouse exhibition, blackout. Oei, who has a BA in Art History from Columbia University, also managed the Singapore Art Show in 2007 and initiated the Kids Biennale with Singapore Biennale in 2008. He was an Associate Artist with The Substation and has had his work shown in New York, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Singapore.