In this episode, curator Syed Muhammad Hafiz digs deep into the practice of Artist-in-Residence Ben Loong. We are pleased to bring the two of them back together since their last collaboration two years ago for Squaring the Circle, Ben’s solo exhibition curated by Hafiz. In this contemplative conversation, the two trace their concurrent professional growth over the years of collaboration and friendship, all while delving into Ben’s ever evolving artistic sensibilities and interests. They address the significance of the studio space for the development of a material-based practice and how the discipline necessary to upkeep such a space seeps into Ben’s everyday routine. Throughout the conversation, they also weave in discussions on the perennial question of form versus function, the future of ceramics in the current era of technological emphasis, as well as other core themes underlying Ben’s practice such as the value of labour, craftsmanship, and aesthetics in the art world.
Working at the intersection of painting and sculpture, Ben Loong explores themes and questions of utility within traditional craftsmanship. Through the manipulation of industrial and mass-produced materials and the observation of textures and patterns in the everyday, his practice attempts to challenge the value systems embedded in our material culture.
Syed Muhammad Hafiz is a curator and art historian based in Singapore. He has worked in the arts and in heritage museums over the past decade and also curated for galleries in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Besides curating exhibitions, he has also spoken at various symposiums and frequently contributes his writings to publications on Southeast Asian art.
Contributors: Ben Loong, Syed Muhammad Hafiz
Editor: Anna Lovecchio
Programme Manager: Nadia Amalina
Sound Engineer: Ashwin Menon
Intro & Outro Music: Zachary Chan
Cover Image & Design: Arabelle Zhuang, Kristine Tan