Curated by art practitioner Weiqin Chay, Veneer and Visage investigates the complex relationship between identity and appearance through multi-disciplinary mediums. Having dabbled in various facets of art and design himself, Chay shares: “I’ve always enjoyed being in an in-between space having been involved in design, photography, Western fashion theories and Southeast Asian art histories. I hope the cross-disciplinary approach in my curatorial practice promotes greater appreciation of the diversity of artistic genres.”
Currently ongoing at Supper House, an art and exhibition studio founded by interior designer Ashley Chiam, Veneer and Visage sees a variety of installations from framed illustrations in gouache to garments fashioned out of yarn and organza. These works are by six Singaporean artists and designers exploring the theme of self as well as the “face” that one reveals to the world. Expect digital paintings, textile compositions, photographs, canvas art and more by artists Samuel Xun, Phua Juan Yong, Hafizah Jainal, Ian Tan Ya as well as designers Rachael Cheong and Esther Choy.
Here, the creatives speak to Vogue Singapore about the intersection of creativity and personal narratives as well as what we can expect from them next.
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Rachael Cheong
Local fashion designer and Royal Academy of Art graduate Rachael Cheong is the founder of Closet Children, an independent fashion label known for its dark, fantastical creations. She challenges the expectations of traditional, submissive femininity through her designs, which often consist of different textiles such as PVC and metal findings.
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Rachael Cheong
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before?
Heavy metal feminine armour.
Tell us about the particular piece that’s on display at Veneer and Visage.
‘The Iron Maiden’ is a lingerie and mask set inspired by the original medieval torture device. I always held on to the image of the iron maiden in Angela Carter’s reinterpretation of Blue Beard’s Castle—The Bloody Chamber—where Bluebeard kills one of his many wives in an iron maiden. I wanted to transform the iron maiden into armour for the female body, taking away the association of male violence against women and to give the woman protection instead.
What can we look forward to next?
‘The Iron Maiden’ character is part of a series entitled ‘My Girlfriend The Showroom Dummy’. There are three more characters coming up so look out for them.
Learn more about Closet Children.
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Ian Tan Ya
To create her personal brand of art, Ian Tan Ya utilises collages to blend her being into mundane, inanimate objects in order to comment on the human experience. Particularly interested in exploring gender boundaries and relationships with others and the self, the works of the London-based artist, model and student have been exhibited at The Art Space by Natalie Wong and Objects Lessons Space.
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Ian Tan Ya
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before?
My work displays elements of surrealism to unpack the reality of the human condition and experience. Each piece of work from the ‘An Everyday Thought’ series is a representation of what I observed and experienced outside of my comfort zone. It serves as a journal of what I’ve learned about the society I am living in.
Tell us about the particular piece that’s on display at Veneer and Visage.
Even though one of the works, ‘0701212202′ was created early in 2021, the message remains relevant and applicable to me in 2022. This work ultimately talks about boundaries and defending them under pressure. Whether platonic or romantic, a relationship sometimes tests the strength of one’s willingness to break down one’s walls too quickly and openly. We all just want to have some form of security before we “lift all our covers”.
What can we look forward to next?
More spoken poetry will be done this year, which slowly consolidates itself into a book project I am writing, about love and heartbreaks. I am currently preparing for two exhibitions in London. One of which will be in Somerset House where I will be displaying sculptural forms of my existing two-dimensional works from the ‘An Everyday Thought’ series.
Learn more about Ian Tan Ya.
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Samuel Xun
Multidisciplinary artist Samuel Xun creates works centering around culture and identity, with a focus on queerness and camp. His pieces have been on display at Singapore Art Week, NTU’s Art, Design and Media gallery as well as Grey Projects, a gallery, residential apartment and studio hybrid. Xun’s art often reference films as well as his personal experiences.
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Samuel Xun
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before?
My practice focuses on highlighting experiential symmetries of our lived experiences, because I am interested in how art can facilitate collective growth, empowerment, and self-therapy. The topics I address are usually ones that deal with personal and queer narratives, and how our upbringings play a part in building our social culture.
Tell us about the particular piece that’s on display at Veneer and Visage.
When Weiqin approached me for Veneer and Visage, he was interested in my sculptural, fashion-informed bodies of work. I saw this as an opportunity to revisit a concept from 2017, to bridge this conflicting gap I had from being in fashion to currently being an artist, and to focus on strengthening an artistic practice. ‘Maybe, Just Maybe’ brings together previous concepts of forging identities with a renewed sense of rebirth. I’m acutely more self-aware, yet I still feel like I’m only starting to get to know myself.
What can we look forward to next?
I’m currently working on a show with Art & Market under their Small Rooms initiative which opens in the second week of March at their new space. I’m still not bored of this glitter ribbon thing so I’ve been experimenting to see how far I can push the medium.
Learn more about Samuel Xun.
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Esther Choy
Founder of womenswear label ESH Esther Choy derives inspiration from style icon Marlene Dietrich to create androgynous, utilitarian designs for the modern woman. The brand has shown at the fashion weeks of South Korea, Vietnam and more.
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before?
My designs revolve around the idea of combining form and function together seamlessly. The ethos of the brand is that the garments should aid in the wearers’ lives and not hinder them in any way.
Tell us about the particular piece that’s on display at Veneer and Visage.
I wanted to explore the intersection between art and fashion that I usually do not get a chance to when designing for the commercial experience. Titled ‘Un Garde’, it looks into what happens when protective gears are made in fabrics that take away their “protectiveness”. Through the medium of fashion, I hope to discuss the intrinsic human desire to conceal vulnerabilities and insecurities as a form of defence or protection.
What can we look forward to next?
Currently, I am taking the time to decide how I would like to build my brand moving forward. I’m also looking forward to launching mini collaborations with friends, as well as a new capsule collection later in the year. So keep a lookout for that over at ESH By Esther.
Learn more about Esther Choy.
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Phua Juan Yong
No stranger to the public eye, digital artist Phua Juan Yong’s art has been displayed at ION Orchard, the Light to Night Festival and more. Fascinated by the endless possibilities that technology presents him with, he specialises in creating pieces that preserve the quality of traditional art while using 3D technology, ultimately blurring the boundaries between the tangible and intangible.
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Phua Juan Yong
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before?
I would say that my imagery is very varied, but in recent times it has a painting-like quality that is layered and complex and helps lead the audience across the image. The vastness of imagery is something I try to achieve in my body of work. I don’t like creating the same thing over again.
Tell us about the particular piece that’s on display at Veneer and Visage.
I am exhibiting two works at Veneer and Visage. ‘The Digital Artist’ (2022) is a single channel video installation that is a recreation of my studio where I make my works. Accompanying it is a piece titled ‘Overgrown’ (2022), a six-layer screen print. In terms of medium, the two pieces are in contrast to one another. As a digital artist I struggle between digital and physical mediums. Even though there are two pieces, I view them both together as an installation that explores the relationship between both mediums and what they both mean to me as an artist.
What can we look forward to next?
The translation of my digital works into physical pieces is something I have been working on. I’ve also been exploring more personal narratives in my imagery. That said, I have been working on a bigger body of work that encapsulates all of that and hope to exhibit a solo show soon.
Learn more about Phua Juan Yong.
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Hafizah Jainal
Having worked with institutions such as the Asian Civilisations Museum, AWARE and National Gallery Singapore, visual artist, illustrator, and designer Hafizah Jainal is a familiar name in the local art scene. Her work is frequently linked to personal memories, and various parts of her identity and culture.
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Hafizah Jainal
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before?
My body of work is a reflection of myself as an artist. It is an amalgamation of personal experiences, cultural narratives and exploration on themes of identity. Illustration is my go-to medium as it is a safe space for me to express my art effectively and unapologetically.
Tell us about the particular piece that’s on display at Veneer and Visage.
‘Nyai-nyai Ayu’ (translated to pretty grandmas) is an homage to my late grandmother. I would constantly go to her room and get her to recall memories, using photos as prompts. This was a great activity for her since she suffered from dementia. I decided to illustrate and paint these stories using photos as reference points. The end result is a series of seven gouache paintings, accompanied by reproductions of archival photographs, vintage batik and more.
What can we look forward to next?
I definitely am looking for more ways of growing my illustrations by exploring different mediums such as print on fabric. I’ve also been running an independent food and culture magazine, Seasonings, with my collaborator, Pamelia Chia since 2021. We’re working on a special National Day edition this year, so that’s something we can all look forward to.
Learn more about Hafizah Jainal.
When: 12 February to 6 March 2022
Opening hours: Thurday to Sunday, 2.00pm to 8.00pm
Where: 222 Tagore Lane, 04-03, Singapore 787603
