Feng Shui: A Solo Exhibition by Munkao
Feng Shui is a meeting point between age old metaphysics of Feng Shui and contemporary art. This exploration sees Munkao, an artist well recognised for his painterly foray into our everyday pop culture, apply Feng Shui principles and imageries to his new series of 'painstallations', 'prosperity sculptures' and 'auspicious neo-landscapes'.
As a possible first in the history of modern and contemporary art, Feng Shui breaks new ground by inviting a Feng Shui Master to curate the exhibition display based on his expert and authentic knowledge of Feng Shui. Through this exploration of a new curatorial strategy, we believe that the viewers' experience of and expectations for the exhibition will be enhanced and challenged.
Feng Shui is a culmination of an eight year long residency program with Munkao's parents.
The bicycle connected to the painting acts as a kinetic power generator to create sound and movement in the painting. Each time a person pedals the bicycle, the galloping sound of horses can be heard alongside, emulating an invigorating ride with horses.
"Work/Life Balance"
Painstallation
2011
Size Variable
The flowing water is mechanically generated with a motorised backdrop that creates the streaming effect. The koi fish is related to abundance and the improvement of one's career and motivation in the workplace.
"Leveraging Vigour"
Painstallation
2011
153 by 153cm
"Frog With Leaping of Motivation"
Painstallation
2011
153 by 153cm
An auto dimmer is attached to the painting which lights up the glowing eyes of the toad and comfortingly dims it. The night light frog is a home safety artwork that has a dual function as an aesthetic work of art that also protects the home from intruders.
"Frog with Glow For Home Safety"
Painstallation
2011
153 by 153cm
An auto dimmer is attached to the painting which lights up the glowing eyes of the bats, revealing the two hidden bats in the dark. The arrival of all five bats signifies the floodgates of good fortune has been lifted.
"Five Bats of Fortune"
Painstallation
2011
122 by 183cm
This contemporary water feature is constructed with neon tubes that spells out the words 'Good Luck'. Instead of filling the tube with neon gas, flowing water will be pumped through the tube, creating the cyclical flow of running water that will evoke ambience and comfortable living.
"Go With The Flow of Good Luck"
Prosperity Sculpture
2011
66 x 183cm
Time is wealth and its value in contemporary society cannot be underestimated. This wall piece dispenses a four digit lucky number with a push of the red button. The seemingly random numbers are generated from a unique algorithm that is written based on the Bagua trigram that will help you achieve success in your future undertakings.
"Its Time to Get Rich"
Prosperity Sculpture
2011
66 by 170cm
Answering our modern day concern with security, the Bagua with one sided glass surface is wired to a television monitor. Lodged in the center of the Bagua is a security camera hidden behind a rose coloured prism. The prism spins, thereby distorting the video image that appears on the TV monitor. If a robber enters the home and chance upon the distorted image of himself on the television, he might change his mind as the prism has the power to change our perspectives on life.
"Supreme Sense of Security"
Prosperity Sculpture
2011
Size Variable
These beautiful prints offer aerial views of geological terrains taken from Google Earth. They are landscape studies of real estate values in Malaysia. The landscape of Putrajaya for instance brings to mind success in one's ambition and career; Genting Highlands being a gambling arena is associated with financial gains and losses; while Desa Park City symbolises the ideal nest egg investment in landed residential properties of the middle class. These masterpieces inspired by traditional ink painting captures the nation's real estate development in relation to our collective aspiration for prosperity and growth.
"Building Financial Mountains, Unique Strategic Positioning, Lohas Manifest"(L to R)
Neo-Auspicious Landscapes
2011
153 by 82cm
Feng Shui: A Solo Exhibition by Munkao was shown at Weiling Gallery in 2011
Thanks to Dill Malik Juria Toramae and Zew Wey, and most importantly, chi too, for their commitment and assistance with the construction of the painstallations, Simon Soon and Master Chang Kim Hua for their involvement as project curator and guest curator respectively.
photos by Eiffel Chong
Feng Shui is a meeting point between age old metaphysics of Feng Shui and contemporary art. This exploration sees Munkao, an artist well recognised for his painterly foray into our everyday pop culture, apply Feng Shui principles and imageries to his new series of 'painstallations', 'prosperity sculptures' and 'auspicious neo-landscapes'.
As a possible first in the history of modern and contemporary art, Feng Shui breaks new ground by inviting a Feng Shui Master to curate the exhibition display based on his expert and authentic knowledge of Feng Shui. Through this exploration of a new curatorial strategy, we believe that the viewers' experience of and expectations for the exhibition will be enhanced and challenged.
Feng Shui is a culmination of an eight year long residency program with Munkao's parents.
The bicycle connected to the painting acts as a kinetic power generator to create sound and movement in the painting. Each time a person pedals the bicycle, the galloping sound of horses can be heard alongside, emulating an invigorating ride with horses.
"Work/Life Balance"
Painstallation
2011
Size Variable
The flowing water is mechanically generated with a motorised backdrop that creates the streaming effect. The koi fish is related to abundance and the improvement of one's career and motivation in the workplace.
"Leveraging Vigour"
Painstallation
2011
153 by 153cm
"Frog With Leaping of Motivation"
Painstallation
2011
153 by 153cm
An auto dimmer is attached to the painting which lights up the glowing eyes of the toad and comfortingly dims it. The night light frog is a home safety artwork that has a dual function as an aesthetic work of art that also protects the home from intruders.
"Frog with Glow For Home Safety"
Painstallation
2011
153 by 153cm
An auto dimmer is attached to the painting which lights up the glowing eyes of the bats, revealing the two hidden bats in the dark. The arrival of all five bats signifies the floodgates of good fortune has been lifted.
"Five Bats of Fortune"
Painstallation
2011
122 by 183cm
This contemporary water feature is constructed with neon tubes that spells out the words 'Good Luck'. Instead of filling the tube with neon gas, flowing water will be pumped through the tube, creating the cyclical flow of running water that will evoke ambience and comfortable living.
"Go With The Flow of Good Luck"
Prosperity Sculpture
2011
66 x 183cm
Time is wealth and its value in contemporary society cannot be underestimated. This wall piece dispenses a four digit lucky number with a push of the red button. The seemingly random numbers are generated from a unique algorithm that is written based on the Bagua trigram that will help you achieve success in your future undertakings.
"Its Time to Get Rich"
Prosperity Sculpture
2011
66 by 170cm
Answering our modern day concern with security, the Bagua with one sided glass surface is wired to a television monitor. Lodged in the center of the Bagua is a security camera hidden behind a rose coloured prism. The prism spins, thereby distorting the video image that appears on the TV monitor. If a robber enters the home and chance upon the distorted image of himself on the television, he might change his mind as the prism has the power to change our perspectives on life.
"Supreme Sense of Security"
Prosperity Sculpture
2011
Size Variable
These beautiful prints offer aerial views of geological terrains taken from Google Earth. They are landscape studies of real estate values in Malaysia. The landscape of Putrajaya for instance brings to mind success in one's ambition and career; Genting Highlands being a gambling arena is associated with financial gains and losses; while Desa Park City symbolises the ideal nest egg investment in landed residential properties of the middle class. These masterpieces inspired by traditional ink painting captures the nation's real estate development in relation to our collective aspiration for prosperity and growth.
"Building Financial Mountains, Unique Strategic Positioning, Lohas Manifest"(L to R)
Neo-Auspicious Landscapes
2011
153 by 82cm
Feng Shui: A Solo Exhibition by Munkao was shown at Weiling Gallery in 2011
Thanks to Dill Malik Juria Toramae and Zew Wey, and most importantly, chi too, for their commitment and assistance with the construction of the painstallations, Simon Soon and Master Chang Kim Hua for their involvement as project curator and guest curator respectively.
photos by Eiffel Chong