23 August 2023—Chrysalis opens at Nouri and Short Stories runs at Appetite
Last night, we got to check out not one but two shows over at Nouri and Appetite!
Over at Nouri’s exhibition Chrysalis, Woong Soak Teng’s photography series depict sheets of metal featuring waves of rust and patina flecks, and what they look like after being rubbed off. The artist herself instigated the rusting process to reflect how we attempt to control natural processes—a neat parallel to how the restaurant incorporates culinary techniques such as fermentation and ageing.
Up the flight of stairs is Short Stories, featuring a majestic series of black and white photographs by chef-photographer Hor Kwok Kin and colourful, abstract paintings by his contemporary Wong Keen. Hor’s masterful photographs are a sight to behold, as his shooting in the morning light lends a magical quality to even the most quotidian of scenes—ranging from a hor fun hawker at Bugis to labourers in construction sites. Wong’s paintings also add a vibrant dimension to the space, with expressive swathes of colour treading the line between flesh and abstract forms.
Curated by Tan Suili, Chrysalis runs at Nouri till 31 December 2023 and Short Stories runs at Appetite till 19 November 2023.
Check out our photos below for a peek at the shows!
Woong’s re-rust series hanging in Nouri’s entry lounge. The artist told us that in order to initiate the rusting process, she would apply vinegar to a sheet of metal and leave it in a damp, hot place. She photographed the rusted-over sheets, later removed the rust, and photographed its imprints.Two pairs of Woong’s re-rust series hanging in Nouri’s dining premises.Hor Kwok Kin, Steaming Hor Fun, 1963. We were blown away by the quality of light in the photo, which was thanks to the artist shooting in the morning light. Working as a chef, Hor could only photograph in his free hours, which tended to be the morning hours before the restaurant he worked in opened.(Right) Hor Kwok Kin, Smoking, 1962. Gelatin silver print. 33.5 x 46 cm. Edition 5/8. (Left) Hor Kwok Kin, Fair Trade, 1962. Gelatin silver print. 37.5 x 30 cm. Edition 2/8. Some of Hor’s subjects included individuals working and living in Bugis, where Hor worked at a restaurant.Wong Keen’s acrylic painting The Red Shadow (2022) on display at the open kitchen and dining area in Appetite.Here’s Consumed (2022), one of the two paintings hanging upstairs in Appetite’s jazz lounge. Swathes of white seem to pop out against a two rounded beige shapes, creating the appearance of flesh at the centre of a sandwich.(Left) Wong Keen, Will Be Eaten, (2022). Acrylic on canvas, 107 x 97 cm. Similar to Consumed, Will Be Eaten features any almost humanoid shape pressed between two rounded beige shapes, accompanied by layers of mustard yellow, emerald green, and beetroot red–immediately making us think about a burger. (Right) Detail of Will Be Eaten (2022). We spent a long while admiring the expressive brushstrokes, flecks of paint, and how the colours bled into each other.
