Singapore’s bustling Raffles Quay, a sleepy fishing village in Bali, and an urban street corner in Osaka — these are the scenes Malaysian painter Chankerk picked to convey a contemporary representation of Asia.With his signature style of quick, disjointed brush stokes and inclined planes, he reveals Asia’s underlying sense of transition and uncertainty, evident as skyscrapers and luxury hotels crowd traditional markets and agrarian communities.From July 15, EY Asean Art Outreach will present “Contemporary Asian Landscapes” by Chankerk in collaboration with Chan Hampe Galleries. Singaporean audiences will easily recognize landmarks around the city-state such as Little India and Temple Street Market. Further afield Indonesia, Japan, and Cambodia are also portrayed with an energetic, spontaneous painting style.Chankerk’s works reflect the tension that exists between the past and the present in Singapore. Chinese shophouses are disappearing in favor of high-rises or being transformed into swanky bars and restaurants.Beyond Singapore, the artist presents another Asian city in transition with his depiction of Osaka. Like Singapore with its shophouse, visible in the cityscape of Osaka is a Japanese-style building, reminding the viewer of relics of the past. In Bali, sedate scenes of a temple, fishing village, and traditional market beg the question of how long these scenes will remain the same."Contemporary Asian Landscapes” by Chankerk will be on view at EY Art Gallery through October 16.
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