Being Lost, Being Found

You may know him as the guy who sleeps in public places – Singapore’s streets, void decks, bus stops. But rather than being a product of the recession, 28-year-old Singaporean artist Lim Shengen was making a statement about poverty and homelessness with last year’s exhibition. It was a disturbing portrayal of a world deficient in personal space whose inhabitants are becoming increasingly isolated. Now, Lim delves deeper into his examination of contemporary urban living with his first solo exhibition, ‘Being Lost, Being Found’.

The first part, ‘Void: Physical, Metaphysical’, comprises a series of light projections of photographs that draw from Lim’s experiences and imagination. They juxtapose the notion of being lost with being found, stressing the ways in which individuals determine the boundaries of their personal space. Different landscapes are depicted, each linked by one constant – a lone pyramid towering over the scene. It begs the question: how does one feel at home – and avoid feeling lost – in such a charged, fast-paced world?

The second part, ‘Boxed’, presents disconcerting portraits of faceless, seemingly voiceless people, highlighting shortages of space – an issue that’s increasingly problematic in highly urbanised societies like Singapore. But with this dilemma comes hope. ‘Boxed’ also explores how people learn ways of appropriating physical and psychological space within a group setting and in their everyday surroundings. ‘What does it mean to be “lost”?’ Lim asks. ‘It could be not knowing how to get to where we want to be from where we are. I believe I am a very lost person, usually finding it hard to be a part of a community, place or even conversations. Dealing with the notion of "lost" allows me to come to terms with myself, enjoying the idea of being lost rather than being consumed by it.’

‘Being lost’ affords some flexibility and creativity. Lim started out as an architecture student at LaSalle College of the Arts before turning his focus to photography and painting, and today his practice is a unique combination of the three disciplines. He won the 2006 National Arts Council’s Georgette Chen Arts Scholarship and was the 2005 Jurors’ Choice in the Singapore Art Awards. As a young artist today, he believes the possibilities are limitless.

Being Lost, Being Found will be exhibited at SG Private Banking Gallery, Alliance Française de Singapour from 25 July to 8 August