SIGNUM Art Exhibition

INTRODUCTION

 “Signum” came from latin, a language which served for millenia as a lingua franca that eventually formed many words of today’s most spoken language for communication: English. Hence, this exhibition aims to deliver the idea that visual art is a sign and it aims to express certain meaning and information. Significantly, it is a universal sign to those who see with reflective mind. Visual art endeavour is basically creating signs and thus, intelligible. This exhibition criticizes the notion of ‘chance’ in art. It aims to show that even the simple brushstroke of layout on canvas was not by ‘chance’, rather by deliberation and innumerable causal nexus in which all are explicable. Chance is only a privation; it does not exist in-and-of itself. There are 69 ‘signs’ displayed in this exhibition for the viewer to appreciate and learn. It specifically wanted to showcase the voices and intellectual expression of visual art students, facilitating their future endeavour in the scene. With the collaboration of Kolej Pengajian Seni Kreatif Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Fakulti Seni Halus Akademi Seni dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) and Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Kampus Ilmu Khas, Universiti Malaya Art Gallery has made this possible. UiTM students contributed 25 artworks consist of four different art schools namely printmaking, painting, sculpture and ceramic. ASWARA and IPG both contributed 20 arworks consist of printmaking and painting. Universiti Malaya complemented the exhibition with four (4) more painting, drawing and digital art. Artwork is a sign in which artists convey their message, state of mind, deliberation, historical and cultural relation, environment, ideas and even their existence. Every art creation is purposeful and deterministic. In its philosophical sense, even a grain of sand on an artwork was not accidental and has deterministic explanation. The signs manifested in the form of 2D and 3D artworks such as paintings, sculptures and installation which displayed skills and mastery over the medium used will definitely provide an unforgettable experience for the viewers. The curation highlights the schools these ‘signs’ belong to such as idealism, realism, realist-impressionism, cubism, and abstract-expressionism. Expression is something integral to human nature. It is the requirement of ‘being’ human. To be human is to be related and the medium through which this is possible is expression. It comes in many forms; gesture, creation, spoken words, and symbols. All of which are signs perceived by intellect pointing towards certain understanding. Human understanding, the basis for intellectual discourse and improvement, requires expression. In this sense, visual art is a way to facilitate discourse in an intellectual and purposeful way. Just like a sign, there is intelligent and deliberation. Experience the signs all around you as you enter this exhibition.