Tang Kafai

Tang Kafai, born 2003, is an artist currently studying and living in Singapore. His practice is geared in a multidisciplinary manner that seeks to fuse the traditional and technological methods of presentations. Often using technology to aid the exploration and discovery of new traditional techniques and ideas.He is currently exploring the individual and social aspects of life, social isolation and otherness of demographics. Many of his works are influenced by the historical antics of dated works while incorporating modern and technological sources of inspiration, he utilises a clique of techniques and mediums to develop and achieve universally inspired works.

25 00, 2021
Acrylic on wood panels.
12.1 x 17.1 x 0.9cm each
Series of 25.25 00 explores the transitional space that is the mind, capturing a series of moments across a theoretical lapse of 25 hours that is parallel to a single dream state. The piece presents my room as the transitional space that acts as an allegory of my mind. It presents the multi-directional quality of introspection and of the mind, as it recalls a multiplicity of everyday moments and pieces it together into a singular linear narrative, showing my mind’s attempt at trying to make sense of life and arranging it in a way that makes sense to it.From beginning to the end, each panel represents a supposed linear progression of events, whilst the gradients of colour crossweave across the various rows and columns which presents the progressive narrative of time, notions and moments. This deliberate play on colour, combined with the oxymoronic concept of having 25 hours in a day, introduces an element of ambiguity to this mindscape. This sheds light on a certain sense of falsity to this supposed progression, and suggests a certain intentional attempt of the mind at creating an erroneous narrative that tries to adhere to a systemised passage of time to give it structure.

Who?, 2019
Oil on Canvas.
1200 x 910 mmThemed under "transparency", I explored the 3 elements of transparency; transparent, translucent and opaque. An era changing message throughout the artwork influenced by these 3 elements: the figure-myself beckons the audience on how transparent I am to them, am I concealing myself with the drape, am I hiding the truth by turning away. In contrast to the nude-representation, literally "unmasking" my innerself. The ever contradicting factors are what represents my identity, a chaotic individual incapable of putting his emotions into words.

"Local Delights", 2022
Acrylic on canvas panels.
5* 9 x 12 inches | 15* 4 x 4 inches
Series of 20.Commissioned by LASALLE College of the Arts.

"Mini Moments", 2023
Acrylic on canvas panels.
10* 4 x 4 inches
Series of 10.Commissioned by LASALLE College of the Arts.

關聯 Guānlián, 2023
Chinese ink, rice paper, wooden folding screens
190 x 180 x 4 cm關聯 Guānlián is a series of Chinese ink paintings mounted onto traditional wooden folding screens. A mountainous landscape is depicted on both sides of the screens in contrasting colour schemes. For many younger Chinese, there is a sense of disillusionment between cultural upbringing and identities that has been moulded and shaped by Western influences. What ties them to their roots has become dissonant with the modern way of life. Reflecting upon the duality of his identity and journey of cultural reclamation, the artist juxtaposes mountainous landscapes inspired by traditional Chinese paintings with bright cityscapes and contemporary urban life which reflects the cultural contrast that permeates his life.