Reimagining
[ 09.10 – 09.12 / 2014 ]
SPRMRKT
This Penang-based artist’s third solo exhibition acknowledges the rising openness to diversity in Singaporean society. Eight pop art works are featured, borrowing classic cartoon imagery from the 1940s and 50s that reflect lifestyles and views on alternative sexuality.
Philip’s solo exhibition, REIMAGINING, at SPRMRKT explores Singapore’s increasing diversity and openness. Having lived in Singapore for 18 years over two stints, he has observed the city’s cultural and social progression since the conservative 1980s. The exhibition celebrates the shifting attitudes with a tongue-in-cheek reimagining of 1940s and 1950s cartoon images with subject matters that old cartoonists would never have thought of. Co-presented with Galerie Steph, this exhibition marks a milestone in SPRMRKT’s calendar of exhibitions.
This exhibition marks a milestone in SPRMRKT’s archive of exhibitions because we’re featuring a corporate banker-turned-professional artist for the first time. What do you think of art displayed outside of the usual gallery setting?
I am all for showing art in all sorts of venues – showing art in only Museums and Galleries is far too limiting as it partly restricts the accessibility. I think art should be appreciated by people from all walks of life and showing art in a restaurant setting such as SPRMRKT increases the exposure of my art to people whom may not have necessarily seen it before. Some of my favourite art in the past was done on the streets of New York by fledgling artists that went on to become famous like Shepard Fairey and Faile.
Philip Hemnell
Born in Ipoh, Malaysia, to an English father and Chinese mother, Philip Hemnell has always been about bridging seemingly opposite realms. Now based in Penang, this Eurasian artist continues to appropriate cartoon imagery from Western comics and Japanese manga, and melds mediums like painting, stenciling, photography and traditional printmaking into approachable yet arresting art pieces.
