One or Nothing by Arkiv Vilmansa @ FlabSlab in 1 Commonwealth
Managed to make my way to 1 Commonwealth Lane this rainy Wednesday, to partake of the ONE OR NOTHING solo show by Indonesian artist Arkiv Vilmansa, at the FlabSlab offices+gallery space, and I could not help but smile from ear to ear. And while full visual coverage can be found on my FB-album, here are a few highlights of the show to share!
Huge canvases adorn the walls, of which 6 of 11 paintings were snatched up when the event launched initially at White Canvas Gallery in Tiong Bahru, which saw over 200 attendees on launch day (what a scene that would have been!) and has since been moved to FlabSlab since November 16th.
There are a few canvas not hung that demands your attention, including the black+white collaborative artwork with Arkiv and local artists Eeshaun and Wanton Doodle (see image montage below) and a SUMO head framed-n-displayed front-n-center. I remember his initial imagery being likened to KAWS and of the resistance folks had to his craft, and now seeing his approach and style blossom into his "own" evolution, and exhibiting around the world, is a real treat and delight to witness. Kudos, bro!
[Above: Collaboration with Eeshaun / Below: Collaboration with Wanton Doodle]
The "hero" of the front part of the gallery, was the Merlion-sque sculpt from Arkiv, which featured the iconology of Arkiv's character and Singapore's infamous water-spewing half-lion-half-fish. Never had I seen such an awesome sculpt of a Merlion, lemme tell'ya! Seems there will be a series of sculpts to be released in time of this figure, so stay tuned for developments and updates!
A display was set aside for the bronze "SUMO with 10 Bones", made by Fully Visual (also available for sales - limited to only 10 sets), and facing it was a swell layout likened to a homage of conflicting icons - from the Statue of Liberty sculpt (which might see a release in two acid-pop colors in time, flanked by two colored sculpts made by My Tummy Toys, and in the center is a painting of the POSB-Squirrel, as interpreted by Arkiv!
The exhibition at 1 Commonwealth (@ #06-11) lasts thru November 30th, and viewing times are between 12noon to 6pm daily. Closest MRT is 'Commonwealth' - exit turnstiles-right and walk towards the direction of Holland Village (against traffic flow), and 1 Commonwealth is a pseudo-industrial building on the right-side of the road (where Lambogini showrooms are at the ground level lol).
