Untitled I & II (Caoutchouc Seducing Woody), 2018

Latex, silicone, canvas stretcher, ultraviolet coating, and surgical lubricant
​46cm x 36cm

Part of Melange
Project Space
Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore,
2nd - 22nd March 2018

The work explores the formal characteristics of the ephemerality, fragility, and flexibility of latex. The expectations of using latex, for its excellent tensile strength and stretchable surface, permit a play on our conventional notions of painting and sculpture. The liquid rubber latex that exists in an aqueous form allows for the mixing of artificial colourants to enhance the visuality of the surface. By pouring the pigmented latex onto a smooth surface of silicone placed on aluminium sheets, it is then peeled off to achieve a high gloss effect. The sinuous physicality of the work in

Untitled I & II shows the material tautly secured on the canvas stretcher revealing the illusionistic sense of depth and space. Untitled I & II presents itself flat yet reflecting off the light in the area. The fluid and glossy surfaces, call to touch emanating from the work. That sense of the haptic stimulates an interest in the viewer for the physical experience with the imitated skin-like structure. Despite its ambiguous preservation and implied durability, both work progressively wrinkle and hardens. The latex lost its elastic characteristic and discoloured from a nicotine-brown to tar black.