Peranakan Dreams: Chinoiserie reimagined Catalogue February 2020

All enquiries to Keng Hock Pwee

Utterly Art, 20b Mosque St, Singapore pkenghock@yahoo.com.sg

NB: All prices are in Singapore dollars

Peranakan Dreams: Chinoiserie reimagined

Artist’s statement:

Chinoiserie: definitions: 1) A style in art reflecting Chinese influence through use of elaborate decoration and intricate patterns. 2) A style of ornamentation current chiefly in the 18th century in Europe, characterized by intricate patterns and an extensive use of motifs identified as Chinese.

I am Chinese. I was born in NZ and adopted/raised by a white family. I identify with British, NZ and Australian culture though my appearance and the influence in my paintings say otherwise. My schooling and art training was in the European tradition yet my work has an unmistakeable Asian appearance and feel. I learnt about the Peranakans on my first visit to Singapore in 1988 and have been interested in their history ever since. Peranakans were always noted as ‘not from there’, yet they had assimilated into the local cultures where-ever they had settled in SE Asia. Similarly, I was born and raised in NZ, yet people will always ask me where I am from. I like to think I am reinventing the genre of Chinoiserie. Thank you for stopping by. Gabby Malpas February 2020

Peranakan cat: coat of many colours Mixed media on canvas 25cm x 30cm x 4cm RRP: $1,000.00.

My ‘mon mon’ cats take inspiration from the celebrated tattoo artist: Kazuaki Horitomo Kitamura. Cedric is dressed in a colourful coat rich with Peranakan motifs: a phoenix, peonies and a peach on a background pattern inspired by batik tulis. Celebrate your difference, your diversity and your own beauty. Proceeds of the sale of this painting will be donated to the OogaChaga organisation, Singapore. NB: there is no reserve on this painting. Please contact the gallery to place a maximum bid. The highest bidder at the end of the show wins the painting. NB: final bid price excludes shipping from Singapore.

Foo dog 1 Mixed media on canvas 25cm x 30cm x 4cm $1,000.00.

My take on the classic Chinoiserie Foo (lion) dogs, used as silent sentinels in Asian homes and so beloved of interior designers the world over. A trio of moor fish swim in the inky darkness of the tropical night sky and among the lotus blooming in a Peranakan kamcheng.

Foo dog 3 Mixed media on canvas 25cm x 30cm x 4cm $1,000.00.

My take on the classic Chinoiserie Foo (lion) dogs, used as silent sentinels in Asian homes and so beloved of interior designers the world over. A trio of moor fish swim in the inky darkness of the tropical night sky and among the lotus blooming in a Peranakan kamcheng.

Peranakan cat and lotus Mixed media on canvas 25cm x 30cm x 4cm $1,000.00.

A cat, enjoying the night air with 7 lucky koi carp swimming amongst a flowering lotus. The peaches on the kamcheng are for good fortune.

Peranakan cat: rat soup Mixed media on canvas 25cm x 30cm x 4cm $1,000.00.

The peony cat is distracted from watching a koi leap from a waterlily bowl near his family’s CNY offerings. A rat has decided to join the party but first takes a refreshing dip in the bowl of ramen broth.

Peranakan cat: marmalade cat Mixed media on canvas 25cm x 30cm x 4cm $1,000.00.

Melvin, the marmalade cat with blue chrysanthemums sits next to a lotus vase while a Singaporean crimson sunbird eyes a colourful snack.

The Coral Sea 1: colony Mixed media on canvas 30cm x 40cm x 4cm $1,600.00.

Merchant ships from all over travelled through SE Asia carrying cargoes of valuable and sought after goods. Some of them carried the beautiful porcelain destined for the tables of wealthy Peranakans. Some ships were lost and sunk in rough seas, their cargo settling on the sea floor or in the coral reefs where ships floundered. Over time sea creatures and bright corals made the pieces of porcelain their homes and the painted gardens became colourful gardens of coral.

The Coral Sea 2: colonisers Mixed media on canvas 30cm x 40cm x 4cm $1,600.00.

A myriad of fish fish and corals have made their homes in a cargo of sunken Peranakan porcelain. A lionfish glides past: this beautiful fish is native to parts of SE Asia and northern Australia. Lionfish are now found in other tropical parts of the globe where they are a real threat to native species of that area because they have no natural predators in their new environments. It is believed they were introduced by accident by ships or from aquariums. However, they can be eaten which is one way of reducing numbers. If the poisonous spines are removed they are very tasty.

Othering: 1 Mixed media on canvas 30cm x 40cm x 4cm $1,600.00.

A tropical orchid in a bright Peranakan pot stands out amongst the blue and white porcelain and muted hues of cottage garden flowers. In a world of blue and white porcelain, and the muted tones of temperate garden plants be a vibrant, colourful, wonderful you! This exotic (and fanciful), orchid in a bright Peranakan Phoenix bowl makes a colourful splash against the other plants. The phoenix and double happiness Chinese characters are favoured wedding symbols. ‘Othering’ applies to a number of circumstances: for us adoptees, for the LGBTQ community and immigrants it’s a lifetime of not fitting in and being reminded of our difference. Sometimes we need validation that we matter and we are wonderful for who we are.

Othering: 2 Mixed media on canvas 30cm x 40cm x 4cm $1,600.00. Celebrate your difference and be proud to be you. A vividly marked tulip stands out against a crowd of blue and white in a bright yellow enamel vase. The split tulip markings are caused by a virus. It was this virus that sparked the tulip mania craze in the Netherlands during the 1600s and made flowers with these markings worth a fortune.

Rhododendrons Mixed media on canvas 30cm x 40cm x 4cm $1,600.00.

Rhododendrons came from the Himalayas but are now found in cold climate gardens all over the world. I spent hours in the Rhododendron Dell in Dunedin, NZ while I was at art school, looking at them for inspiration. However, it has taken me the best part of 35 years to portray them as I would like

Yum yum peach bum Mixed media on canvas 30cm x 40cm x 4cm $1,600.00.

Peaches symbolise a long and healthy life. They are also symbols of immortality but the naughty schoolkid in me can never go too far past the very juicy ‘bum’ appearance of a ripe peach. In fact I think I love the fruit more because of it. I came across very very expensive peaches in Japan once. I didn’t understand why they were so expensive until I ate one. .. It was the most delicious peach I have ever eaten/will ever eat. Maybe it came from the peach tree of longevity itself!

Foo dog 3 Mixed media on canvas 30cm x 40cm x 4cm $1,600.00.

Pink on pink with all the symbols of a Peranakan wedding: Peonies, phoenix, butterflies and a teacup bearing the symbol for ‘double happiness’

Foo dog 4 Mixed media on canvas 30cm x 40cm x 4cm $1,600.00.

The Coral Sea: the octopus’ garden Mixed media on canvas 40.5cm x 51cm x 4cm $2,500.00.

The brightness of the coral and sea creatures perfectly compliment the colours of the Peranakan ceramics.

The Coral Sea: life imitating art Mixed media on canvas 40.5cm x 51cm x 4cm $2,500.00.

The fish adapted to their ready-made new homes and nurtured the coral gardens on the pots. The coral has become an integral part of the porcelain.

Peranakan dreams Mixed media on canvas 51cm x 76cm x 4cm $4,000.00.

Moonbeams on a tropical night fell from the moon. On their way to earth they turned into nine koi carp - for longevity. The tropical inky night air was like water as they swam their way to a brightly coloured Peranakan water pot full of waterlilies. The fish had to take care not to get trapped in the grasping roots/tentacles of the beautiful but carnivorous orchids nearby who were hoping for a fish dinner. This is a Gabstar story.

You are beautiful: 1 Mixed media on canvas 51cm x 76cm x 4cm $4,000.00.

We can be made to feel ‘less than’ if we don’t fit the media stereotype of body size, race or sexuality. This is a lavish and unashamedly beautiful image as a gentle reminder to challenge those notions and stand tall because: no one size fits all.

You are beautiful 2 Mixed media on canvas 51cm x 76cm x 4cm $4,000.00.

Double happiness in pink Mixed media on canvas Approx: 54cm x 71cm x 2cm $4,750.00.

An unashamed pink-fest of classic Chinoiserie blue and white porcelain with cottage garden favourites: camellias and hydrangeas. The Chinese symbol of weddings: double happiness is on the teacup at lower right. The butterflies are a mixture of Australian and European species with a Sydney violin beetle in attendance near the bottom right hand side. The prunus design bowl on the lower left hand side is depicted as repaired in the Japanese: kintsugi manner, adding to the bowl’s beauty: broken things can be made more beautiful with love.

Works on paper: all works are framed (sizes given are the actual paper sizes)

All enquiries to Keng Hock Pwee

Utterly Art, 20b Mosque St, Singapore pkenghock@yahoo.com.sg

NB: All prices are in Singapore dollars

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Edinburgh orchids Watercolour and gouache on foreign outfitter’s bill from Edinburgh 1892 21cm x 17cm $420.00 A bill for colonial outfit items for tropical climes enhanced by an orchid. NB: due to the fragile nature of the document, the paper has been attached to a piece of Arches paper with archival, bookbinders glue

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Singapore receipt Watercolour and gouache a Singapore receipt dated 1938 21cm x 13.5cm $400.00 A tiny tropical garden featuring cattleya orchids, two butterflies and a beetle

Chinoiserie reimagined with citrus Watercolour and gouache on paper 14.3cm x 28.4cm $550.00 During Chinese New Year, the citrus fruit promises luck, prosperity, and a long life. A bird – heavily influenced by old Chinoiserie designs sits in a mandarin tree.

Coral reef with Lionfish Watercolour and gouache on Arches paper 28.5cm x 29.6cm $900.00 I’ve been a beachcomber ever since I can first remember. Growing up in NZ, our summers were nearly always spent at the beach. In later years viewing the magical underwater world of a tropical coral reef has inspired many paintings.

Striped camellias Watercolour and gouache on Arches paper 29cm x 29 cm $900.00

Tiger orchids: tiger hat flowers Watercolour and gouache on Arches paper 28cm x 38 cm $1,100.00 I love the Chinese tradition of protective tiger hats for babies, embroidered with bright colours and sometimes with protective amulets also sewn onto the hats. I don’t think these are made any more so wanted to keep these in memory. In this enchanted night garden the tiger orchid plant is growing out of a Peranakan pot and has sprouted little tiger faces to snap at the koi carp swimming in the inky night sky. A Sydney tiger moth is in attendance and a blue ringed octopus has taken up residence in a blue and white bowl to await dinner… possibly the violin beetle nearby. This is a Gabstar story.

Thousand flower poppies Watercolour and gouache on paper 28cm x 38 cm $1,100.00 Nothing says Spring in Sydney to me more than the appearance of iceland poppies in florists and markets. When cut the stems continue to grow, madly winding and twisting like green, hairy snakes. The ‘thousand flowers’ refers to the much-loved chinoiserir: ‘millefleurs’ design on the ginger jar.

Split tulips and lotus cup Watercolour and gouache on paper 28cm x 38 cm $1,100.00 The ‘split’ markings in these tulips were caused by a virus – the same virus which made huge fortunes for some in the Netherlands from the 1600s.

Ranunculus: celebrate your difference Watercolour and gouache on Arches paper 30cm x 42cm $1,200.00 This floral still life image is slightly different: The richly hued ranunculus are an English cottage garden favourite, not usually seen in the tropics. The Peranakan teapot colours are softer and in more muted tones than lime greens and hot pinks of many Peranakan wares. Many of us are different to mainstream society members and while we live and work in our own communities sometimes we stand out or are ‘othered’. Our differences are things to be celebrated. It makes for a more interesting world and if we are open to it, increases our understanding and empathy for others.

A fish out of water 2: love the cray cray Watercolour and gouache on Arches paper Framed size: 70cm x 45cm $1,000.00 As transracial adoptees we are nearly always the odd one out. We look different to our families and are different also to those POC who grew up in their own families/communities. Many of us struggle with this. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learnt to embrace the crazy: I have a unique perspective on the world and my life experience has been/is/will be completely different save for the few of us in the same boat. In a world of 7.6 billion people and rising I think it’s pretty cool to be so unique.