Three highly accomplished artists from three different regions of Asia create new works, chronicling long-term projects that weave significant inquires about the obscure cultural, socio-psychological and sacred vernaculars of their respective localities in their expansive compositions of drawing, painting, sculpture and multimedia installation. Each of their projects on view presents compelling conceptual dialogues about humanity’s relationship with nature, the built environment, place, and identity.

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Bamadhaj’s work focuses on the social intricacies of Indonesian society using myth, architecture, and dwelling to articulate her observations. Singh uses the history and physicality of materials as springboards for spatial interventions and philosophical inquiry, while Önürmen’s work shares similar tactics as the other two artists in revealing the relationships and discrepancies between personal and public experience as seen through the lens of contemporary media.

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Curated by ACAW director Leeza Ahmady as part of Asia Contemporary Art Week (ACAW) 2017 signature program: THINKING PROJECTS— pop-up exhibition series presenting research-based on-going artistic endeavors by 9 noted artists from China, Indonesia, Turkey, India, and the United States. The series showcases the vibrancy of artistic activity inside of Asia while building deeper bonds between ACAW’s Asia and New York based Consortium Partner organizations and galleries. Co-Presented in collaboration with Richard Koh Fine Art (Kuala Lumpur), Exhibit320 (New Delhi) and C24 Gallery.

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About the Artists:

Nadiah Bamadhaj was initially trained as a sculptor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand but now produces drawings, sculptures, installations and digital images. Her artwork continues to focus on the social intricacies of Yogyakarta society, using myth, architecture, and dwelling to articulate her observations. She was awarded the Nippon Foundation’s Asian Public Intellectual Fellowship in 2002 and elected to spend her fellowship period in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where she currently lives. Her solo exhibitions have been presented at Richard Koh Fine Art, Singapore in 2014 and 2012, and her works have been shown at the Art Central Hong Kong (2016, 2015), Bank Negara Museum and Gallery (2015), Paris Asian Art Fair (2015), Art Stage Singapore (2015), Art Taipei (2014) Saatchi Gallery, London (2014), Singapore Art Museum (2014), among other venues.

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İrfan Önürmen graduated from the Istanbul Fine Arts Academy (now known as Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University), Department of Painting, in 1987. His work reveals the relationships and discrepancies between personal and public experience as seen through the lens of contemporary media. Önürmen addresses the impact of mass media on human experience and its visual representation through collage, painting, and sculpture. His recent solo shows were exhibited at C24 Gallery, New York (2016), Katara Art Center in Doha, Qatar (2012), Pi Artworks Galatasaray, Istanbul (2011). Önürmen’s work has been exhibited at several international art fairs including Volta NY (2017), PULSE New York (2013), Art Dubai (2012), and the Armory Show (2012).  

Sumakshi Singh’s work often uses the history and physicality of spaces as a springboard, involving interventions that she finds or creates in the walls, floors and ceilings (often in sterile seeming urban environments). These subtle interventions occasionally house microcosmic activity in the form of synthetic, miniature structures of painted polymer clay along with moss, fungi, plants and other organic materials. Her interactive installations, paintings, drawings and sculptures have been presented in solo and curated group exhibitions in India, China, USA, Canada, France, Italy and Switzerland. Recent venues include Saatchi Gallery, London, UK (2016), Kochi Biennale, Kochi (2014) Museum of Contemporary Art, Lyon (2013), and UCCA Beijing (2012). She was awarded a Zegna Grant in 2009, an Illinois Arts Council award in 2007, and Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award in 2005.

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About ACAW:

The 12th edition of Asia Contemporary Art Week (October 5 - 26) kicks off with over 30 cutting-edge exhibitions, receptions, performances, discussions & festivities at leading Consortium Partner museums and galleries citywide.  In addition to ACAW’s annual signature art forum for arts professionals FIELD MEETING (October 14 &15 hosted at Asia Society Museum & SVA Theatre) ACAW 2017 introduces THINKING PROJECTS Pop-Up exhibitions at select venues.  ACAW is a curatorial and educational platform fiscally sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).

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Complete Schedule Agenda and Details at ACAW.INFO

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