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.
Rissim Contemporary is pleased to announce our next show, Pangsa by Saiful Razman. The exhibition, Razman's seventh solo to date, presents a vivid and compelling exploration of the socio-architectural landscape of low-income housing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Through his multi-disciplinary practice, Razman invites us to delve into the complex web of experiences, emotions, and dilemmas faced by the urban youth of Malaysia in the late 1990s.
Raised in Changkat Jong, a small village in Perak, Razman's transition to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur was marked by unemployment and financial adversity. This shift not only altered his physical surroundings but also reshaped his perspective on the world, under the sway of economic pressures.
During this transformative period, Razman, along with his bandmates from a local Punk band, took refuge in an abandoned, low-cost apartment. Malaysia's underground subculture became a community that he was able to resonate with. In particular, the Punk scene became a lens through which he was able to make sense of the existing wealth disparities and strange societal constructs that became apparent to him. The culture’s essence lies in its do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos and unapologetic disdain for established norms, leading to Razman exploring the use of collage as his preferred medium, and aligning with his exploration of repurposing existing materials, such as tissue-paper and medical gauze over paints and brushes.
The Punk movement, a cultural force known for its rejection of mainstream conformity and capitalist ideals, channelled societal discontent, working-class frustration, and the uncertainties of a generation facing economic challenges. Pangsa serves as a poignant reflection on urban struggles and societal constructs within low-income housing in Malaysia.
Influenced by the aesthetics of Zines from the late '90s and 2000s, Razman draws parallels to the subculture’s ethos of creating from the barest of resources. The cut-and-paste style, handwritten letterforms, and rebellious spirit of Punk Zines find resonance in his work. Front pages, often entirely hand-drawn and hand-lettered, defy traditional newspaper design conventions, embracing chaos reminiscent of anarchic layouts.
Pangsa embodies a paradoxical juxtaposition of structure and disorder. Line, often confined to drawing and design, takes on multifaceted roles in Razman's work. While the facades of low-income housing often adhere to uniform designs optimized for density and cost-efficiency, the life within is diverse and marked by a lack of conformity. Chipped paint, scattered debris, and an air of disorder pervade these spaces. Razman's work artfully uncovers the allure concealed within this chaos, drawing parallels with the untamed, organic landscapes of his rural village. Through his work, he unveils both the visible and concealed facets of low-income housing, highlighting the essential roles played by the youth and the working class in our societal fabric.
Razman draws inspiration from the anarchic spirit of Duchampian and Dadaism, positioning Pangsa at the intersection of Malaysia’s youth subculture in the 1990s and early 2000s. His collages transcend everyday, disposable materials into the realm of art, pushing the boundaries of artistic mediums.
Saiful Razman's Pangsa serves as a testament to Malaysia's enduring landscapes through the lens of Punk aesthetics. It captures the spirit of rebellion, creativity, and unapologetic self-expression that defines his artistic voice. Through his work, Razman offers a gritty reflection of his youth, celebrating the beauty found in anarchy and the resilience of society in grappling with socio-political dilemmas.
