Cuturi Gallery brings forth two of Singapore’s most promising Malay figurative painters, Faris Heizer (b.1998) and Khairulddin Wahab (b.1990), at the 10th Edition of Asia Now Paris Asian Art Fair. Since introducing Faris Heizer in 2022 and featuring a solo booth for Khairulddin Wahab in 2023, both artists have gained international recognition and captivated audiences. This year, we return with new works that embrace the fair’s theme, ‘Celebration.’

Heizer’s work celebrates the vulnerability of men and reflects on the nuances of contemporary society and capitalism, portraying white-collar workers in scenarios filled with intimacy and complexity. Nodding to and departing from the tradition of figurative painting, his pieces delicately bridges the gap between subject and viewer by tapping into the uncanny of the ordinary.

Wahab’s work delves into the ritual and spiritual aspects celebrated in Southeast Asia. He uses archival materials and found images, such as topographic maps and colonial prints, to explore the disenchantment and demystification of the land. Wahab also examines the historical foundations and systems of power embedded in these representations.

Together, these artists offer viewers a glimpse into their world, inviting them to explore narratives and themes that are vivid and thought-provoking. Their works provide insights into the environmental history of post-colonial Singapore, the beauty found in mundane life, and the complexities of masculinity and the vulnerability of men.