Saiful Razman Malaysian, b. 1980

“In principle, a work of art can always be reproduced. Similarly, man-made objects can be disposed of and reproduced, just like a forged painting or a print. There is no real difference between a man-made object and a work of art, other than its intentionality. I became interested in how the abstraction of disposable objects can act as a symbol for the value of human intentionality - meaningless, yet expendable. Through my work, I explore the impermanence of objects, both in its physical form and in the way we think about them. Even when things are no longer useful, they can still be transformed, manipulated, and presented in different ways.

 

I have found that a key aspect of capturing impermanence is through its simplicity. This translates to manipulating disposable materials, such as tissue paper or medical gauze into visually simple forms in order to reflect the value of the materials themselves. Reconstructing forms from disposable objects allows me to give them a new meaning while preserving their intended use and inherent qualities. Close observation and continuous engagement of the disposable objects are also part of my pivotal process; best expressed in the details of my work. The main challenge is to manipulate, freeze its respective function, and try to capture each unique impermanent character.

 

Using disposable items allows me to reveal an unexpected beauty in unseen ways. We identify familiarity through the details of the world around us. As most of my works are experiential attempts, I believe beauty exists independently in thought, even in the most ordinary things.”