Initiated in 2012, the Young Talent Programme (YTP) selects up to eight artists under the age of 35 in Southeast Asia, and presents their work to a wide audience during the Affordable Art Fair every November. Two to three artists are then shortlisted to participate in a ten-month mentoring programme with curator, Seah Tzi-Yan, before they stage a solo exhibition at the ION Art gallery the following year.
Headlining the sixth edition of YTP's solo exhibitions are Bo Sung Yom, Faris Nakamura and Xinwei Che, whose works explore the themes of migration, identity and memory.
Held from 31 August to 16 September 2018 at the ION Art gallery, the winning artists of the Young Talent Programme 2017/18 will also lead tours and workshops every Saturday and insightful talks on Wednesdays about their practice.
Pictured (from left): Bo Sung Yom, Faris Nakamura and Xinwei Che
Bo Sung Yom's exhibition, titled 'Immigration and Customs', is a series of sculptures formed from objects and fragments that constitute one's identity and culture. His art is a visual discourse on the question of identity against the backdrop of immigration, nationality and consumerism.
Pictured: Bo Sung Yom. Objective Self Portrait, 2018.
Xinwei Che presents 'The Cradle of the House', a series of works that mimic the look of familiar objects found in the home. Even the exhibition space mimics that of the home, a deliberate setting to invoke the sense of security and ease, so that her pieces may be more readily identified with by her audience.
Pictured: Xinwei Che. Twilight, 2018.
Faris Nakamura will be showing 'The Light Between Walls', in which he reveals how it is in the shadowy nooks and corners of public spaces that modern society's minorities find like-minded kin and moments of solace.
Interact with the artists and get a taste of how it was like to put up their exhibitions in their workshops, happening every Saturday from tomorrow, 1 September 2018 onwards.
Workshops:
1. Saturday, 1 September, 3.30pm - 4.30pm
The Stuff of Memories by Xinwei Che (left)
Xinwei will teach participants how to make a wax tile cast using textiles and other materials. Bring your own materials to make your wax cast truly personal.
2. Saturday, 8 September, 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Making Imagined Spaces by Faris Nakamura
Participants get to make their own imagined safe space in miniature, using timber, mirrors and lights.
3. Saturday, 15 September, 3.30 - 4.30pm
Objects & Concepts by Bo Sung Yom
Try your hand at creating works of art with readymade objects.
Reserve a seat at http://bit.do/YTP2017-18Programme. All programmes will take place at the ION Art Gallery.