Emerging fine artist Aisha Rosli is a young name in the scene, but she's already made waves following successful exhibitions at Cuturi Gallery last year. This Singapore Art Week, the artist showcased her debut solo exhibition 'Black Eye' at the gallery, which now calls Aliwal Street its home.
Aisha's works have been featured in group exhibitions at Sangkring Art Space in Yogyakarta, Coda Culture in Singapore and Unit London in the UK. You'll see references to 20th-century painters Francis Bacon and Egon Schiele, as well as contemporaries such as Marlene Dumas. Held as part of the 'c/discoveries programme', the highly anticipated exhibition seeks to chronicle her journey thus far.
In the exhibition, Aisha touches on the aftermath of ambiguous situations implicated in the appearance of a black eye, relating to multiple scenarios insinuating states of distress, anxiety and insomnia. The artist – who primarily works with acrylic and oil sticks – has a signature style that comprises many layers and glazes of paintings. Her works explore themes of solitude, concealment, proximity and desire.
In Aisha's paintings, you'll see recognisable stylised patterns such as stripes, gingham and lattice, which serve as an important device for her to anchor the uncanny in and around her characters. The artist's figurative manifestations dwell in obscure environments that appear curiously familiar, yielding a certain enigmatic quality to unpacking her psychologically charged works.
Catch the exhibition before it ends on February 21. And while you're at it, go gallery hopping to catch the ongoing art exhibitions around town.