In #087, #088, #089 and #090, Warren Khong continues to explore and experiment with light, reflection and colours as materials to produce both paintings and modes of viewing them. His previous ‘reflection’ paintings comprised single colours and were presented as flat panels against the walls of the gallery. In this series, Khong researches colour mixing and sculptural forms as mechanisms to engage with the inquiry of what it means to create and regard a painting.The picture frame, traditionally used to enhance or protect a painting or photograph is in the instance of #089 and #090 implemented as the object or ‘painting’ to be observed. On first viewing the works, they look like box window frames, void of any subject, but as the eyes adjust and the mind casts aside the perceptions of expected visuals, we become alert to the subtle glow of colour emanating from the edges of the frame. In #089 and #090, the colours (blue and yellow) painted on the undersides of the frame reflect off the white wall they are installed against, thus calling to question what is to be considered the painting in this instance.Where #089 and #090 consider the absence of an image and highlight the frame as the mode of presenting the painting, #088 continues to question the traditional presentation of paintings by displaying a blank ‘canvas’ whose colours peak out of its edges and attempts to flow out from behind the ‘canvas’. This illusion creates the sense that the painting is being hidden by the square ‘canvas’ rather than being a part of it.As a sculptural painting, #087 activates the length of the wall and is constructed to draw the viewer into its centre. By standing squarely in front of it, we are able to observe the radiating colours embedded within the sculpture; the work reflects the glows of yellow and red paint as they intersect in the middle to become a subtle orange.This series by Khong is important for the continued dialogue about and around paint and painting and art production and appreciation as a whole. Warren Khong was born in Singapore where he presently lives and works. He graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art: Painting and Drawing from the University of Huddersfield, UK and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore in 2009. He has exhibited locally an internationally, most recently having shown as part of Dear Painter, a group show curated by June Yap at Sudaram Tagore Gallery, Singapore.
