trompe-l’oeil – Curated by Dr. Mikala Tai

Yang Yongliang, The Path, 2016, film on lightbox, 29 x 29 x 18.5 cm

Continuing Sullivan+Strumpf Singapore’s focus on bridging the arts between Australia and Asia, Trompe-l’oeil marks Dr. Mikala Tai’s first curated show in Southeast Asia, promising trajectories that are personal yet universal.

There is something unnerving about a trompe-l’oeil. Such trickery of perspective ruptures the trust we place in our vision, our eyes onto the world. Our ability to perceive reality and discern truth is questioned the moment our eye is deceived. No longer able to trust our observations the once taut veneer of actuality suddenly appears fragile. In this moment the peculiarities of contradictions allow new perspectives to emerge and we are, briefly, able to look at the everyday anew.

Trompe-l’oeil brings together six artists from across Asia and Australia who seek to reimagine understandings and expectations. Their works, although diverse, all use artistic techniques to recast our readings of the everyday. Through holographic shifts, tessellated shadows and unexpected flickers the works reveal alternative futures and dark realities. With the comfort of expectation lost the viewer is invited to consider, in that moment of rupture, the expanded possibilities of new perspectives.

Dr. Mikala Tai is a curator, researcher and academic specialising in contemporary Asian art who has, over the past decade, collaborated with local, national and international organisations to strengthen ties between Australia and Asia. Dr. Tai is currently the Director of 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney. Curatorial projects for 4A include Jogja Calling (2016); Before the Rain (2017); I don’t want to be there when it happens (2017, co-curated with Kate Warren and expanded at PICA, Perth with Eugenio Viola); and the critically acclaimed performance program for Art Central Hong Kong (2016 and 2017).

Opening Reception: Saturday, 14 April 2018, 5-7pm

Venue: Sullivan+Strumpf Singapore, 5 Lock Rd, #01-06 Gillman Barracks 108933 Singapore