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Universal Spaces

Boo Sze Yang, William Goh & Sun Yu-li

Group Exhibition

20 Nov – 1 Dec 2024, Mon – Fri, 11am to 7pm

"Universal Spaces", curated by Dr Seng Yu Jin, Senior Curator and Deputy Director (Curatorial and Research) at the National Gallery Singapore, is an evocative exhibition that delves into the themes of space, time, and urbanization. This thoughtfully curated showcase features the works of three distinguished Singaporean artists—Boo Sze Yang, William Goh & Sun Yu-li—each offering unique perspectives on how urban growth and transformation influence our interaction with the environment.

Boo Sze Yang's oil paintings employ contemporary abstraction to explore the concepts of scaffolding and structural elements within urban settings. His work offers a fresh reinterpretation of these often-overlooked aspects of construction, transforming them into powerful visual statements. Through his innovative approach, Boo Sze Yang reveals the hidden beauty and symbolic significance of urban infrastructure, prompting viewers to appreciate the aesthetic complexities embedded in modern architectural forms.

William Goh investigates redevelopment and materiality through unconventional art-making techniques. His pieces reflect on the transformative processes shaping urban landscapes, examining how redevelopment impacts both the physical and emotional dimensions of space. Goh’s work critically addresses the consequences of urban change, providing a thought-provoking commentary on the evolving nature of city environments and the essence of the spaces we occupy.

Sun Yu-li's public sculptures act as interventions within urban spaces, creating a dynamic dialogue between art and its viewers. His work invites reflection on the evolving nature of communal areas, challenging perceptions of public space. By integrating art into these environments, Sun Yu-li encourages audiences to reconsider their relationships with the spaces they inhabit, fostering a deeper engagement with the physical and conceptual aspects of urban life.

"Universal Spaces" is a compelling exploration of how urbanization influences our experience of space and time. Through Boo Sze Yang’s abstract paintings, William Goh’s innovative techniques, and Sun Yu-li’s engaging sculptures, the exhibition offers a multifaceted examination of contemporary urban issues.

About the Artist(s)

Boo Sze Yang (b. 1965, Singapore)
Boo Sze Yang is a painter whose semi-abstract works explore the tension between the natural world and urbanization. Using geometric planes, his paintings symbolize the erosion of memory, navigating the boundary between reality and utopia. Boo is the recipient of the Ngee Ann Artist of the Year Award (2022), the Distinguished Alumni Medal from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (2017), and the Asian Artist Fellowship Award (2010/2011) at the Vermont Studio Center, USA. He won the Juror’s Choice for the Philip Morris Singapore-ASEAN Art Award (2003) and the Platinum Award at the UOB Painting of the Year Competition (2009). He was also featured in 100 Painters of Tomorrow (2014, Thames & Hudson).

William Goh (b. 1992, Singapore)
William Goh is the President of the Modern Art Society (2023–2025) and was Chairman of Telok Kurau Studios (2020–2022). Goh graduated from Nanyang Technological University with a Bachelor’s in Art Education and Sociology (2020), and from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts with a Diploma in Art Teaching, where he was the Best Graduate of the 2017 cohort. He received the Ngee Ann Young Artist Award (2021) and was Highly Commended in the UOB Painting of the Year Competition (2021 & 2023). Goh has exhibited internationally, including at the 29th Asian International Art Exhibition (Japan), the 3rd Shenzhen International Watercolour Biennale (China), and the 27th Asian Watercolour Exhibition (China).

Sun Yu-li (b. 1948, Nanjing, China)
Sun Yu-li is a Singapore-based sculptor who migrated from Taiwan and the U.S., where he studied architecture. Since moving to Singapore in 1981, he has created large-scale outdoor sculptures that engage with architectural logic and the environment. Sun founded Sculpture Square (1999) and was a founding member of Emily Hill (2007), both key spaces for three-dimensional art in Singapore. His works, inspired by his studies in metaphysics, linguistics, and architecture, explore his concept of the Universal Language of the Metaphysical. His sculptures are displayed in public spaces across Singapore and in institutions in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and are widely collected in corporate and private galleries.

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