borrowed earth
Cheryl Chiw
Solo Exhibition
13 - 21 May 2023, 11am - 7pm
Borrowed earth considers our borrowed existence; the time, the space and the elements.
The artist continues exploring the nature of balance; her presence negotiating the ‘form-formless equilibrium’ in tripartite space, material and forces.
It is a journey through everything that oscillates in-between states, in precarious existence. Seemingly impervious materials are revealed susceptible to disintegration- returning back to earth. What is then the essence of the ‘material’? What meanings do these forms conjure as they continue to be reshaped by time, nature and invisible forces?
Stealing moments and invading spaces, the artist attempts to capture ‘states of equilibrium’ that are at once suspended and changing over time. Invoking pareidolia in her metal works and suiseki in her rock works, she invites the viewer to find familiarity in the unfamiliar and form their own transient meanings.
To see beyond looking, the ‘beautiful poignancy’ of our shared existence.
About the Artist(s)
Cheryl Chiw (b.1970, Singapore ) is an interdisciplinary visual artist and creative director. In her art practice, she makes sculpture, installation and video art with metal, detritus, iron oxide, forces of magnetism and gravity - the artist attempts to construct and deconstruct the transitory. Often allowing
serendipity to guide her process. She currently explores the precariousness of balance, tension between surfaces and forms. The subjectivity of value and the perception of in-between states are among themes present. Her artwork invites the viewer to “see” familiar things in unfamiliar ways and the transience of their meanings.
In 2017, she achieved a Master of Arts Fine Arts, Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore - Goldsmiths University of London. As partner and creative director of Mentalworks Private Limited since 2005. She has worked with global companies; Diageo, Distell and Rémy Cointreau on luxury brands such as Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Smirnoff, Shui Jing Fang, Amarula, and The Botanist. Works include developing brand guidelines and merchandising toolkits for global and regional product innovation launch. From concept development, structural design, project management, production and installation supervision for GTME Duty Free Travel Retail.