Seah Zelin
Born in 1980, in Malaysia.
［Support］ Feb 12, 2025〜Mar 11, 2025
Profile
Through re-examining the concept of maps, Seah invites viewers to contemplate the precarious relationship between individuals and land, particularly the overlooked and displaced, such as strays and wanderers. During his residency in Fukuoka, he hopes to learn the technique of grass weavings. He is also interested in using washi paper, collecting local authoritative maps, and observing wildlife in Fukuoka.
Seah is the Winner of the UOB Painting of the Year Malaysia 2022, organized by the United Overseas Bank in Singapore. The artist will be staying in FAAM for a month.
_ _ _CA_G _ _ _E_ _ _ _, 2024
_A_A__A_A, 2023
U_U_A__A_, 2023
ThisLandis()Land, 2022
Ghost- Same(L) MeToo(R), 2017
Residency Exhibition
Exhibition view @Nagano Satoshi
" Teared, but it won’t end" 2025 @Nagano Satoshi
" Closes a Door" 2025 @Nagano Satoshi
" Mapping/ Matting with Fukuoka" 2025 @Nagano Satoshi
" Mapping/ Matting with Fukuoka" 2025 @Nagano Satoshi
" Continuous Rain
" 2025 @Nagano Satoshi
" Lost and Found
" 2025 @Nagano Satoshi
Interaction Diary
March 8 Artist Talk
Seah told the audience that he wanted to incorporate the lines found on the maps or the cracks on streets as inspiring motifs in his new work, which could also represent dividing walls such as language barriers. He was also interested in the skills of local artisans, which made him go on a research trip to Kurume to learn more about igusa grass weaving. At the end of the talk, the artist mentioned his thoughts about Closes a Door, in which he tried to address a question: how do the museums conserve these disappearing skills in crafts?
March 6 – 16 Residency Exhibition
Seah displayed the works Teared, but it won’t end, Closes a Door, and Mapping/ Matting with Fukuoka in front of the exhibition gallery. He also presented Continuous Rain on the window of Art Cafe and Lost and Found inside one of the lockers.
* Lost and Found was displayed until March 9.
Photo credit: Nagano Satoshi
March 5 Exhibition Preparation
Together with the museum staff, the artist worked hard to prepare the exhibition scheduled to start the next day.
February 28 Meeting
Seah had a meeting with museum staff to discuss the works of exhibition, including how and where they should be displayed.
February 24 Visit to Kurume
Seah visited Kobo Ohki in Kurume, a local craft studio for hanagoza (a weaving mat) of Kakegawa textile, where he learned the technique of grass weaving and making shimenawa (rope). He also received lots of materials for his developing work.
February 13 Arrived at the Museum
Seah arrived at the museum and joined a guidance meeting with the staff.
