Anne Samat’s sculptures woven from domestic materials bring attention to the art of weaving and the challenges of being a malaysian woman.
Boldly colourful, with sharp, protruding metallic edges, smooth tapestry surfaces and textured braided strands, Malaysian artist Anne Samat’s wall sculptures are woven by hand using fibres and found objects. With the mixed materials, her artworks appear simultaneously hard and soft, alluding to the complexity of identity and nationhood.
For Samat’s works, the whole is certainly greater than the sum of its parts, and the components contribute significantly to the overall message. With the use of primarily functional household items such as the colander and the fork to make her aesthetically arresting artworks, one cannot help but think about the Chinese saying that praises the woman who is as adept in the kitchen as she is presentable in the living room, calling to question the role of women in today’s society.
Art Republik speaks with Anne Samat to learn more about the traditional weaving techniques she creatively employs to make her contemporary artworks, the concepts behind them, and what she has planned for her upcoming solo show with Richard Koh Fine Art in August.
How would you prefer to have your artworks described? As textile design, weavings, sculptures or contemporary fibre art? How much does the label matter?
To be honest, it doesn’t matter to me. This is not politics. Art is magic, universal, subjective and open to any interpretation.
When and how did you pick up weaving? What is it about weaving that appeals to you as an artist?
It all started when I was at university. I knew nothing about weaving when I was a student. That’s the reason why I took weaving as my major. I wanted to learn something completely new and different.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mix Master
At The Intersection Of Optic Art, Abstract Art And Calligraphy, French Street Artist L’Atlas’ Universal Language Of Lines, Shapes And Letters Allows Him To Cross New Frontiers.
Blue Bayou
Chinese Artist Gao Xiaoyun’s Dream-Like Landscapes In Oil Give A Divergent Take On Traditional Chinese Ink Paintings.
Shadow And Light
Opera Gallery’s Exhibition ‘Shadow Of A Pine Tree’ Shows Some Of The Best Sculptural Works By Korean Contemporary Artists.
Bad And Boujee
Rain drop, drop top — yes, it is 2017 and we’re repping the Migos.
One And All
Look forward to great art and programmes at Singapore’s Spring edition of the Affordable Art Fair 2017.
Hanging In The Balance
The Contemplative Elegance Of Claire Morgan’s Installations Question The Sustainability Of The Fragile Relationship Between Man And The Environment.
Sneaker Peek
A brief look back at ‘Bazaar Art’, and what we can expect from the newly named ‘Art Jakarta’.
In Good Hands
Anne Samat’s sculptures woven from domestic materials bring attention to the art of weaving and the challenges of being a malaysian woman.
A Sense Of Purpose
ZOE BUTT AND THE FACTORY IN HO CHI MINH CITY.
Britain, Burberry and Moore
BurBerry looks to British artist henry Moore this season, and reveals the full range of the DK88 collection of luxury leather Bags.