The purpose of our lives is to be happy. At least, those are the words that ceramics, crystal and contemporary sculptural artist Gabriel Cheah live by, and it is exactly what his debut solo exhibition COLLAPSE conveys as he intends to transport viewers to an alternate, calm, post-apocalyptic world.

Harnessing his creativity into a beacon of joy as a ‘happy artist‘, graphic designer and artist Gabriel has been making waves locally since his debut less than two years ago when his work was displayed in Shanghai. He has also participated in many group exhibitions such as RHB Bank’s Art with Heart, and most recently, CIMB Artober Hotel Artfair 2024.

This time, his solo exhibition COLLAPSE comprises vital elements including balance, colour, continuity, emphasis, proportion, rhythm, repetition, shape, space and texture, and his multimodal wall-mounted canvas artworks as well as 3D sculptures include brushstrokes and sculptural elements like hand-moulded clay, European crystals, and more.

COLLAPSE, presented by KolmeGlu, a Malaysian art collective in partnership with HARTA which stands for HABIB: Action for the Revival of our Traditions and Arts, aims to give hope as the artist Gabriel has always been one to try something new and push boundaries. Despite adoring various art forms, sculpting comes first and foremost for him, providing him with a sense of control and freedom.

For COLLAPSE, Gabriel has partnered with Emperor Palace, which has extended exquisite Italian furniture pieces that complement his canvas and sculptural works, set in a zen, minimalist backdrop created by Steve Kong of Omega Project. The exhibition is accompanied by experimental music and SFX composed by Jackson Lim.

We sat down with Gabriel during the opening ceremony of COLLAPSE to get to know him and his work a little better.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in your journey.

I have always been an imaginative child growing up. I would play with clay, ignoring everything my mathematics teacher was teaching. I would create small vases and display them on my desk, complete with stems of flowers I made. From then on, I knew I would thrive if I did something creative.

My journey as a ceramics, crystal and contemporary sculpture artist started when I joined a group exhibition under KolmeGlu Art Collective in 2022 upon my return from attending the Venice Biennale in Italy, and it has been non-stop since.

I never expected my artwork to fetch an above-average price, let alone sell to two collectors during my first show. This has given me the confidence to continue more than just being a Graphics Designer and explore my artistry further. I am only riding the momentum the universe has created for me.

What inspired the theme COLLAPSE and how did you conceptualise the idea of a post-apocalyptic world?

I want to think of myself as a ‘happy artist’. All my artworks, whether sculptures or paintings, were created only when I am happy or feeling good. Most would think of a world filled with dullness, darkness, sadness and depression in a post-apocalyptic world after the big COLLAPSE, but why must it be like that? In my head, it is the total opposite. My narrative is being happy. Rebirth happens; my artworks are the first signs of hope and life after the great reset.

Can you tell us about your choice of materials, specifically ceramics and crystals, and how they contribute to the narrative of your exhibition?

Sculpting will always be my first love because of the direct nature of the material, from the pulse of my fingers right onto the medium itself. Every touch is as if I am transmitting love and good energy directly.

As a visual communication tool, it is the best for me because it is more direct than my paintings, where I am ‘separated’ by a brush. For this very reason, one would always find sculptural elements included in my canvas-based artworks.

On the other hand, European crystals are a symbol that reminds me of my mother. As a child, I helped my mom put Swarovski crystals on her client’s outfits. It symbolises positive energy, and I like to include it in all my art pieces as a ‘happy’ artist.

Your work often experiments with unique sculptural elements. How has your style evolved over the years?

My techniques have evolved over the years as I explore the many types of sculptural techniques working with different kinds of clay from various places. I am constantly learning from the best, such as Mr. Chao Harn Kae, a Malaysian sculptor currently based in Hong Kong. In fact, I am already planning my travels to continue my personal journey as a sculpting student. My next solo exhibit may differ entirely from what I currently exhibit, but the same soul and overarching message remain.

Which piece in COLLAPSE holds the most significance for you, and why?

Every piece is special to me and hard for me to part with because each of them was given equal attention, care and love, but the piece I am closest to will have to be ‘Joyful’ as it represents me floating, dancing free, filled with freedom and hope.

Can you walk us through your creative process for one of the pieces in this exhibition?

I am not one to really delve deep into sharing my creative process (at least not yet) because each of the pieces does not follow a specific style of working, but what I can say is that most of the pieces in COLLAPSE come in pairs: one sculpture that shows my idea in 3D and another form of it on canvas in 2D.

Is there a personal story or experience that influenced the creation of this exhibition?

As a person, I am not one to wallow in the victimhood mentality like a lot of young people, especially in today’s increasingly ‘woke’ society. I do not understand why artworks have to constantly make a strong statement relating to politics, depression or darkness because I mean, why would I want to hang those in my home? I would only include work that motivates me and puts me in a good mood, and I think most people feel the same way, too. Art should be inviting and easy to digest. It should not alienate. This mindset has influenced all of my pieces featured in COLLAPSE.

What message or reflection do you aim to convey through COLLAPSE?

I create art to give hope, which is the main overarching narrative of all my artworks.

What upcoming projects or exhibitions can we look forward to from you?

After ending the recent CIMB Artober Hotel Artfair 2024 on a high note, the next group exhibition I will be exhibiting with is Art With Heart 2024, with the theme Seni Setulus Hati by RHB Banking Group, which will be held from August 26th to September 1st, 2024. I am also excitedly planning to show overseas with the help of KolmeGlu Art Collective. Stay tuned!

COLLAPSE by Gabriel Cheah runs from July 4th to July 27th at HARTA Space. Learn more about Gabriel’s work and his future exhibitions through Instagram, and follow KolmeGlu Art Collective for updates on art in Malaysia.