PASU

3 – 25 JUNE 2023

 

AQIM ADIL

Curated by Ivan Gabriel

Exhibition Catalogue: Download Here

As part of our collaboration with Penang Art District, Blank Canvas served as the venue partner for Spotlight by Penang Art District 2022, offering an exhibition space for the grand prize winner—Aqim Adil to present his solo exhibition—PASU.

Humankind has always looked to the garden; both the wilderness and man-made, both real and imaginary for sanctuary from the tension and tumult that surround the experience of living in the world. As a liminal place between the complete shelter of home and the wildness of the natural environment, the garden is a unique, dynamic place of dwelling that allows these felt tensions of daily life to be expressed. It is a metaphor for the human experience of being in the world.

pasu_installation-2
pasu_installation-1
pasu_installation-3
pasu_installation-4
pasu_installation-5

In PASU by Aqim Adil, the ubiquitous pot, or ‘pasu‘ in Malay, is utilized as an allegory for space. A space that evokes feelings of longing and melancholy. A space that becomes an in-between meeting point for both humankind and nature. The exhibition, which is an amalgamation of strong visual imageries, serves as a bridge between the tangible and the intangible, further exploring the embodied interrelatedness of all our life places; home, nature, and the outside world, and how this expresses consciously and unconsciously, individually and collectively, our identity and feelings about nature and the world we inhabit.

Through a multitudinous approach of identity and shared experiences into the interrelationship between place and felt experience, the charcoal drawings in PASU by Aqim Adil convey a variety of subject matters and themes, predominantly surrounding the artist’s personal experiences and emotions. His skillful use of symbols and metaphors adds a layer of depth to each piece, inviting the beholders to delve deeper and uncover the hidden meanings behind them, and to further transport them on a journey of interpretation and discovery.

ABOUT Penang Art District

Penang Art District (PAD) is an initiative by the Penang state government to promote arts and culture within the community. PAD’s mission is to foster creativity and promote artistic expression through creative programs and community outreach projects.

Through our programs and initiatives, we strive to create a dynamic and inclusive arts scene in Penang that caters for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Providing a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their works and connect with audiences.

Penang Art District is more than just an art space – it is a community of artists, art lovers, and creatives who share a passion for the arts. We believe that by promoting the arts, we can bring people together and create a more vibrant and dynamic society.

Website: https://penangartdistrict.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/penangartdistrict/

ABOUT The Artist

Aqim Adil (b. 1993, Kuala Lumpur) is a Malaysian visual artist whose work delves into the intricate relationships between humanity, culture, and the natural world. With a background in graphic design from Universiti Selangor (UNISEL) and a degree in Fine Arts from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Aqim seamlessly blends design principles with fine art practices.

His artistic approach predominantly employs dry mediums such as charcoal and graphite on raw canvas and cloth, creating monochromatic compositions that are both surreal and symbolically rich. Aqim’s pieces often explore themes of societal introspection and self-reflection, utilizing human anatomy, cultural motifs, and natural elements to convey complex narratives.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sikunani_/

Past Shows

Current Show