"Twisted Bodies Tell Their Tales" revisits the narratives of colonisation through Desmond Mah’s sculptural paper paintings. Integrating vivid imagery, textual elements, and AI voices, Mah unravels the intertwined stories of scheming politics, powerful figures, wild creatures, and menacing flora, revealing the turbulent legacies of colonialism. Drawing from the histories of Singapore, his birthplace, and Australia, his adopted home, Mah embarks on an exploration of colonial themes. Through scholarly research, historical archives, and AI-driven dialogues, he brings to light neglected aspects of colonialism, creating speculative paintings that broaden the discourse on its history and contemporary relevance.
Using the material paper, historically associated with memory, record-keeping, and documentation, anchors Mah’s speculative figurative works. He manipulates paper through the Asian papercraft Zhizha—traditionally used for religious and funeral rituals—into sculptural paper paintings. By weaving paint onto xuan (rice) paper, Mah champions the materiality of both mediums, creating contemporary sculptural paintings.
This solo exhibition, part of the 2nd Indian Ocean Craft Triennial Festival, is generously supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (Western Australia).
Using the material paper, historically associated with memory, record-keeping, and documentation, anchors Mah’s speculative figurative works. He manipulates paper through the Asian papercraft Zhizha—traditionally used for religious and funeral rituals—into sculptural paper paintings. By weaving paint onto xuan (rice) paper, Mah champions the materiality of both mediums, creating contemporary sculptural paintings.
This solo exhibition, part of the 2nd Indian Ocean Craft Triennial Festival, is generously supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (Western Australia).
Trollus Negatorius 20240826, Australis (2024)
The Gift (2024)* WIP
Regalis Gemmiferus (2024)
I Secure My Place Whilst Disregarding Others (Capt. J. Cook) (2024)
Empire Builder (Private William Wickham) (2024)
Empire Builder (Private John Sainsbury) (2024)
Empire Builder (2024)
Labourer No. 38 (2024)
Dear Right Honourable Lord Hastings (2024)
Secret Letter to a Friend in Banjarmasin (2024)
A Tyrant at Koorabup (2024)
The road-kill I saw leaving Koorabup (Denmark, Western Australia) and later in my mind (2023)
Essays + Reviews
Morelli N., Twisted Bodies Tell Their Tales, Curatorial Essay, 27 Sept 2024
Di Ciero L., Colonial Dualities, interview, Artists Chronicle, Sept/Oct Edition, p. 18, 2024
Morelli N., Twisted Bodies Tell Their Tales, Curatorial Essay, 27 Sept 2024
Di Ciero L., Colonial Dualities, interview, Artists Chronicle, Sept/Oct Edition, p. 18, 2024