Art Graduation Shows 2021 in Southeast Asia
Malaysian Institute of Art, LASALLE, NAFA, Chulalongkorn University and LaSalle College
By Danisha Liang
Aina Kurshiah Mohamed Rashid, ‘Ikan’, 2020, mixed media on canvas, 91cm x 152cm. Image courtesy of Malaysian Institute of Art.
It is an understatement to say that Covid-19 has turned our world upside down, and each country has had its fair share of pandemic struggles. In Southeast Asia, as more and more countries fight the numerous variants of the virus, we may wonder if life will return to ‘normal’.
The arts scene, however, is turning the limitations caused by the pandemic into opportunities. Virtual events, like conferences and exhibitions, are a familiar sight, enabling more people around the world to engage with new content that may have been geographically unavailable to them in the past. Many institutions in the region have also responded similarly, putting together virtual presentations for their students. These graduation shows allow the students to showcase a culmination of their education in the arts, through online and offline platforms. We speak to some higher arts institutions in Southeast Asia to find out how they have been able to overcome the obstacles that Covid-19 has set in their path.
In the Midst
Malaysian Institute of Art
Image for ‘In the Midst’, 2021. Image courtesy of Malaysian Institute of Art.
Students in the Diploma in Fine Arts have come together to present ‘In the Midst’, a visual exhibition that is presented fully in a virtual space, through an e-catalogue. The graduates were tasked to select a collective theme for their graduation show, and had the liberty of using any mediums they saw fit for their works.
When asked about how the planning of the online event was affected under circumstances of the pandemic, Liu Cheng Hua, the Head of the Fine Arts Department, says, “The technology helped us to get [the graduates and the lecturing team] together for a discussion before the exhibition started.” He highlights Aina Kurshiah Mohamed Rashid, whose series of works is based upon the local folklore of Sungai Sembilang. The folklore tells the story of a woman who is cursed to be a mutated fish, after devouring fish from the forbidden sea.
More on ‘In the Midst’ here, available till 14 June 2021.
The LASALLE Show Exhibition
LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore
Image for ‘The LASALLE Show Exhibition’, 2021. Image courtesy of LASALLE College of the Arts.
The work of over 800 graduates from Diploma, Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Arts courses from LASALLE College of the Arts can be seen at ‘The LASALLE Show’, a graduation exhibition that takes place both on campus and online. Professor Steve Dixon, President, LASALLE College of the Arts says that “In 2020, we launched our first digital The LASALLE Show Exhibition, believing it was more important than ever to create a space for connection in distanced times. The response from Singapore and abroad was tremendous, affirming our conviction that there is a vital place for the arts.”
Sarah Lin, ‘CHERRY GIRL’, 2021, video projection, plaster of paris, two LED signage boards, 20kg barbell, dimensions variable. Image courtesy of The LASALLE Show Exhibition.
A highlight is the work of Sarah Lin, a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fine Arts programme. ‘Cherry Girl’, a mixed-media installation comprising sculpted weight plates and a projected video, explores the body politics surrounding female athletes.
More on ‘The LASALLE Show’ here, which has been extended from 2 June to 20 June 2021.
The Grad Expectations 2021
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
Image for ‘The Grad Expectations’, 2021. Image courtesy of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
650 graduates from both Diploma and Degree programmes at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) have come together for the 2021 edition of ‘The Grad Expectations’. Following ‘The eGrad Expectations’ in 2020 which was hosted fully in the digital space, visitors this year can see over 700 works both in person and online.
Lee Yi Xuan, ‘State of Mind’, 2021. Image courtesy of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
A virtual opening of the show on 10 June 2021 gives graduates the opportunity to share the stories leading up to the final leg of their NAFA journeys. The physical component of ‘The Grad Expectations’ will be presented from 11 to 20 June across three different venues in Singapore, at Objectifs Singapore, and NAFA Campus 1 and Campus 2. A standout work is ‘State of Mind’ by Lee Yi Xuan from the BA (Hons) in Fine Arts programme. It focuses on the theme of mental health and the artist’s inner chaos. The ‘Best of Best Show 2021’, which distills the strongest works from the graduating cohort, will take place from 8 to 18 July at NAFA Campus 1.
More on ‘The Grad Expectations’ here.
Archive of Graduates’ Works
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand and LaSalle College, Indonesia
Screenshot of the website for the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts of Chulalongkorn University.
A benefit of online platforms is that information can remain accessible for longer periods of time, as compared to a physical exhibition space. The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Chulalongkorn University has tapped on that advantage and has a microsite dedicated to the department. Showcased on the website is the work of prominent students from years past. Although most of the information on the works and the graduates is in Thai, the website’s navigation is available in English, so visitors can browse through the different projects on display.
See the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts website here.
Image by Magdalena Ratri, 2019. Image taken from LaSalle College Indonesia Instagram page.
LaSalle College in Indonesia has a similar approach to highlighting key works from the graduating students. The institution uses their social media channels to spotlight outstanding graduates across different cohorts. This includes works from degree and diploma programmes in fields such as photography, and graphic design.
More works from LaSalle College’s students here.
Even as higher institutions learn to adapt to the problems brought about by Covid-19 , graduates are actively being challenged to creatively showcase their work. Though it may have been borne out of necessity, regional art graduation showcases taking place across a variety of platforms could create new opportunities for future connections between emerging fashion practitioners and the industry at large. These art presentations could provide access to Southeast Asian art for a wider audience through channels that transcend physical borders.
