Ian’s Research Club 02: Ruben Pang

Talking painting, unglazed ceramics and going “all in”

Ruben Pang and Ian Tee. Image courtesy of Yavuz Gallery.

Hello and welcome to Ian’s Research Club, a new A&M podcast. In each episode, I speak with guests from the visual arts community, as well as creative individuals from adjacent industries. Hosting this podcast is an extension of the long-form interviews I have been conducting, and a way of capturing the personal voice. I hope you find the conversations generative and enjoyable as I know I will!

For the second episode, I speak with Singapore artist Ruben Pang on the occasion of his latest solo exhibition Amphibian. While Ruben is best known for his vibrant and ethereal paintings on aluminium, he is also accomplished in the medium of ceramics. The same energetic sensibility and strong fidelity to the artist’s hand is found throughout his body work.

In this conversation, we discuss Ruben’s new series of unglazed ceramic works, the materiality of painting, and his experiences navigating a professional artistic practice.

Click here to listen on Soundcloud. You can also find the podcast by searching “Ian’s Research Club” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ruben Pang, Amphibian, 2021, exhibition installation view. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.

Ruben Pang, Amphibian, 2021, exhibition installation view. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.

Ruben Pang, Brave Men Run (In My Family), 2021, ceramic relief on painted fir panel, 50 x 40 x 18cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.

Ruben Pang, Hopes and Dreams, 2021, ceramic relief on painted fir panel, 50 x 40 x 18cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.

Ruben Pang, Have a Safe Trip Dear, 2021, oil, alkyd and synthetic varnish on aluminum composite panel, 180 x 120 x 5cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.

Ruben Pang, Amphibian, 2021, exhibition installation view. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.

Ruben Pang, There’s a Star in Her Eyes and She Knows It, 2021, oil, alkyd, pigment, coloured glass powder and synthetic varnish on aluminum composite panel, 200 x 137 x 5cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.

Ruben Pang, Chrysalis, 2021, oil, alkyd and synthetic varnish on aluminum composite panel, 75 x 60 cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Yavuz Gallery.