Art Basel Hong Kong 2023

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22 - 25 March 2023

Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Centre

The goal of this presentation is to introduce the international audience to three of Malaysia’s most innovative artists, painters Yeoh Choo Kuan and Justin Lim and object maker Joshua Kane Gomes. Each artist brings their own unique style and voice, coming together to offer a glimpse into a possible turning point in Malaysian contemporary art that focuses on personal introspection and mindfulness towards mental states.

Gomes’ series of sculptures explore unhealthy dependencies within relationships, particularly the evolution from distance infatuation to all-consuming delusions of intimacy. The themes are examined from a voyeuristic viewpoint in relation to the mythos of the Wendigo, a cannibalistic spirit doomed to an existence of constant starvation driven by its hunger. While the subject matter is dark, the sculptures downplay their ghoulish inspiration, hiding behind pastel shades and innocuous expressions, melding grim desires with dreamlike delirium.

Lim’s new series of paintings reflect on the time people spent in lockdown during the past two years. Yeoh draws from personal experiences to express his admiration and appreciation for frontline fighters and heroes in his life.

Overall, the presentation serves as a reminder of the complexities of contemporary life as the world navigates uncharted waters. Despite the appearance of playful confidence, there is a desire and struggle for acceptance.

Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”) today awarded two emerging Malaysian artists with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to join other artists from around the world for an upskilling and growth development programme at Acme Studios in London.

The Kuala Lumpur-born artists, Mark Tan and Joshua Kane Gomes, were selected through a thorough selection process among 40 participants. Out of a group of six finalists, both Mark and Joshua have made it as 2023 cohort recipients of the Khazanah Nasional Associate Artist Residency Programme (KAAR)–under the Khazanah Residency Programme (KRP) initiative–and are set to embark on a 3-month arts residency.