Utopias
Matthews, Bob (2011) Utopias. [Architecture, Drawing, Exhibition/show, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture]
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The solo exhibition project Utopias (initially, Medium-sized Utopias) was part of a larger series of projects throughout Singapore organised and funded by the British Council and Singapore International Foundation. Titled Future Memory Pavilion, the series explored the relationship between past, present and future architecture and landscapes and the retention of memory, seeking to understand the importance of heritage in contemporary architecture and landscape design, and to explore the dynamics of change in the urban landscape. The project continued my research into the role, impact and visual identity of alternative communities throughout the world.
The work investigates how the landscape is cultivated and subverted by cultural and fringe groups within Singapore, exploring current architectural and horticultural manifestations inside and outside the city. I identified specific indigenous trees that held unique properties for Singapore's different cultural communities; I also considered the form and idea of the 'Garden City' model, comparing Northern European eco-communities with Singapore's and exploring the effect rapid development has had on the urban landscape and cultural diversity. I was interested in the relationship between the rapid growth of both architecture and jungle. Through my research the project developed into a series of propositions and artworks in various forms including digital drawings, videos, constructions, watercolours and relief prints that worked directly from found material and photographs. I aimed to create an apposition between works looking from the perspective of the city and from that of the jungle, within the context of Singapore's colonial past.
I produced this work as Singapore's first British Council artist-in-residence (2011) and as part of the project, worked with Singaporian artist Michael Lee on a series of lithographs entitled The Great Levellers. The project involved numerous public talks, lectures and other events both in Singapore and Britain; many of the artworks are now in Singaporian collections.
An exhibition catalogue was published to accompany Utopias, the first exhibition under the AiRx programme. Utopias, 25 November - 18 December 2011, National Museum of Singapore.
This exhibition catalogue was co-published with the British Council.
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