The much-anticipated launch of the inaugural ArtSG fair in Singapore, touted to be Southeast Asia’s biggest art fair, took place in January 2023. Tru Vue was honoured to have had the chance to collaborate with gallerist Richard Koh Fine Art, artist Zelin Seah and Q Framing to present at the fair. This article delves into the intricacies of artistic expression and how art presentation and display can help elevate connection and meaning.

 

 

Background

 

We were first introduced to the works of Malaysian-born artist, Zelin Seah, by his gallerist Richard Koh Fine Art for his presentation at ArtSG. Initially trained as a painter, Zelin has delved into mixed media works of art. He guides his practice through the sites and locations he observes in his travels. Zelin dictates the notion of making place in his work, where he captures his observations of the nuances of daily life between people and their surroundings.

 

 

 

 

Artistic Expression

 

As the recent pandemic hit travel globally, Zelin created this body of work much closer to home. Due to the vacillating policies on travel, enforced globally as countries tried to contain the impact of the pandemic, Zelin spent most of his time in his studio at home. Coincidentally, his house is located within the Klang Valley Forest Reserve in Selangor, Malaysia. He was able to witness that when humans retreated, nature began to spring back to life. Animals were able to roam more freely without the fear crossing the paths of humans. However, he felt that the veil between both lifeforms should be maintained. The encroaching of the fauna into human territory is due to the large amount of deforestation caused by the rapid development projects in the area in recent times. This was a story he wished to illustrate.

 

By looking at topographical maps created by the city council, Zelin chose different fragments of the land mass at various intervals of development projects over the years. In his methods, he carefully removed layers of ply from sheets of topographical paper to achieve a translucent material which became a key component in his presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the material becoming more translucent, Zelin achieved capturing the light onto his pieces, thus, creating the veil between the artwork and the presentation, like humans and his environment. In finishing his work, Zelin wanted to present the works in a way that this would ring true wherever they are presented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation and Display

 

Zelin learned and tried various forms of hanging methods for the pieces but somehow couldn’t capture what he had envisioned for them. His gallerist had approached Q framing (Singapore) to advise and create a display case that would enhance the presentation. After various consultations, Q framing decided to build a case with some necessary depth that would be safe and more importantly maintain the essence of the works themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the artist saw the final presentation, he felt a sense of serendipity. The case added a new form of meaning that truly encompassed his statement. The veil, the border, the fragility was embraced. Tru Vue’s Optium Museum Acrylic provided the ideal glazing due to its anti-reflective qualities. Light, was able to interplay with the work as the artist intended and the glazing provided sufficient distance between the art and the viewers.

 

 

 

 

Tru Vue is grateful to have embarked on this unique journey with Zelin Seah, Richard Koh Fine Art and Q framing. To see art being materialized from just an idea to a presentation is one that we cherish and the roles each one of us had to perform is one that is truly inspiring.