The Perception of Beauty
17 Jan–6 Feb 2025
8–8.45pm, 9–9.45pm, 10–10.45pm, 11pm–midnight
National Gallery Singapore, Façade
Free
Jaafar Latiff (1937–2007) revolutionised batik art by blending traditional techniques with bold, abstract styles. His flowing strokes and experimental approach challenged conventions, pushing the boundaries of this traditional medium. The Perception of Beauty shines a spotlight on his influential career, focusing on his works from the 1970s to the 1990s. It traces his pioneering advances in batik, acrylic painting and early computer art, showcasing his relentless pursuit of modernist innovation and his transformative impact on the art landscape in Singapore.
Jaafar Latiff established his practice as an abstract artist and became known for his innovations in the medium of batik. He was a self-taught artist who spent much of his career as an art educator, teaching in institutions such as Baharuddin Vocational Institute, LASALLE College of the Arts and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He integrated the conventional techniques of batik with his abstract style, creating batik paintings that challenged prevailing ideas of tradition.
ARAFURA is a multimedia design studio based in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Specialising in various mediums such as video mapping, augmented reality (AR), and interactive systems, ARAFURA explores the idea that “light travels, it bends, it tells,” using light to illuminate narratives in captivating ways.
Committed to pushing artistic boundaries, ARAFURA invites audiences to engage with their work on multiple levels, creating immersive experiences that resonate with contemporary themes.
