Koi Neng Liew
Website Address: http://www.koinengliew.ca
Author's Description:
My current body of work portrays a variety of expressive characters. The figures are based on an examination of unique and intriguing personalities I have met in recent years. I transform each character by distilling prominent aspects of their personality. Exaggerated proportions, obscure objects and gestures personify each character’s disposition. I was born in Singapore, but moved to the United States to further my education ten years ago, and remain in the west, living Canada. This cultural displacement has been an important aspect in my creative process, and had lead to the examination of traditional cultural behaviors between the two societies. An important aspect of traditional Chinese culture that has been prominent in my work is the Chinese Zodiac Calendar. The rabbit/human forms are symbolic of myself, and depict a narrative of significant events that have happened throughout my journey in the western world. I was born in the year of the rabbit, a reoccurring character Rabbit Man, was conceived as an alter ego, and is based on the aspect of my Chinese Singaporean heritage.