Lot 028
PHUAN THAI MENG
b. Johor, 1974
SOLUTION • 愚昧, 2009
Acrylic and oil on canvas, lingerie
91cm x 122cm
PROVENANCE
Private collection, Kuala Lumpur; acquired through Valentine Wille Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur.
EXHIBITED
Made in Malaysia, Valentine Willie Fine Art, Kuala Lumpur, 2009
ESTIMATE RM 13,000 - 18,000
PRICE REALISED RM 24,640
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Deriving from Phuan Thai Meng’s highly anticipated second solo exhibition titled Made in Malaysia exploring topics of nation-building which centers on social issues and current affairs at the time namely “consumerism, urban decay and domestic ennui”, Solution is an unsettling representation of the latter. Based on a news event particularly of the remarks made by a local member of the parliament who opined that homemakers should dress sexily at home for their husbands to avoid their men having scandalous affairs with their domestic helper, Thai Meng’s interpretation highlights its absurdity, reflecting on perhaps the imprudent proposal. This painting installation presents pink lingerie encased in a glass box complementing a surreal monochromatic painting depicting a depleted mannequin turning its back against an overturned bed, suspended in mid-air.
Phuan Thai Meng obtained a Diploma in Fine Art majoring in painting from the Malaysian Institute of Art in 1996. A full time artist, art educator and founding member of the artist collective Rumah Air Panas (RAP), he has been exhibiting regularly since 1995. His solo exhibitions included PTM0001020304 held at RAP in 2004, The We Project held in Kuala Lumpur (2010) and Mapping the Homeland: We are Proud of You (?_?), Singapore (2011). He has participated in numerous group exhibitions locally and regionally including his recent participation for the first Malaysian Eye (2014). He won the Juror’s Choice Award from the Philip Morris Malaysia - ASEAN Art Awards in 2000. His works are in the public collection of National Visual Arts Gallery, Kuala Lumpur; Singapore Art Museum, Singapore; Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery, Australia.
REFERENCE
http://www.vwfa.net/kl/exhibitionDetail.php?eid=115
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