Nobuaki Takekawa, SHRED YOUR RIGHT, 2018, Woodblock print on paper, 130 x 97 cm, Ed. 3/5 © Nobuaki Takekawa, Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts Singapore/ Shanghai/ Tokyo

“Be There” is a group exhibition featuring four artists: Akira the Hustler, Hilmi Johandi, Jong YuGyong, Nobuaki Takekawa. The exhibition explores how each artist reacts to the history and socio-political situation around them through their artworks.

Hilmi Johandi’s video piece encourages viewers to reflect on existing historical narratives through the re-composition of images borrowed from tourist advertisements and travel documentary clips of Singapore produced in the past. Similarly, Jong Yugyong’s painting series For One and Only Country (2017-) takes reference from North Korean propaganda posters, which he breaks down and transforms into a highly “pop” format, as he explores the relationship between himself and his country.

On the other hand, Nobuaki Takekawa’s work Cat Olympics: Gymnastic Field (2017) creates an opportunity for viewers to look at the celebrated Olympics Games event, which also tends to reveal complex underlying issues. Akira the Hustler’s works from the series Tools for Hope (2018) have stylistic motifs inspired by protest signs from recent demonstrations in Japan, communicating an urgent, real-world message to mobilize viewers to be politically aware.

Venue: Ota Fine Arts, 7 Lock Road, Gillman Barracks, Singapore

When: 15 Jul - 28 Aug 2022, Tues-Sat 11am - 7pm, Sun 11am - 6pm

By: Ota Fine Arts