Singaporean artist Eugene Soh isn’t afraid to turn the lens on the absurdities of contemporary life in Singapore.
Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Singapore (2014) | Eugene Soh
Think you’re looking at Georges Seurat’s Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte? Look again. The familiar tableau has been given a distinctly (for better or for worse) Singaporean twist, featuring youngsters engrossed with their smartphones, a DSLR-wielding hipster, and even the infamous wild monkeys that terrorise unsuspecting victims carrying food into the national parks. Such is the hallmark of Singaporean artist Eugene Soh, who isn’t afraid to turn the lens on the absurdities of contemporary life in Singapore.
Speaking about Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Singapore, Soh explained: “Many things have changed since the 19th century when the original Sunday Afternoon was painted. I wanted to address some of those changes while reflecting upon current social developments and create an image that is recognisably Singaporean.”
Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Singapore is one of the artworks showing at Soh’s second solo exhibition titledRenaissance City. Other pieces showcased at the exhibition will likewise parody iconic art pieces to provide an unapologetic commentary on life in Singapore.
Renaissance City runs at Chan Hampe Galleries from 11 December 2014 to 4 January 2015.