Blurring the boundary between architecture and art, Pamela Tan has established quite a niche for herself in the realm of public art. “I enjoy it because it allows me to be myself, to be experimental,” she declares. “If the work connects with who you are, there’s a sense of growth on a personal level.”
We’re sitting in Poh Sin Studio, her atelier that is named after her Chinese name. The space is populated with smaller versions of her artworks, some of which—to this art novice at least—recall paper cutouts. But it is a skeletal Nike shoe that catches my eye, a work Tan describes as “a marriage of architecture and sneaker”.
She launches into an explanation on how it came to be, which brought together her understanding of Nike’s designer Tinker Hatfield, his Centre Pompidou inspiration, and how he added a window on sneakers for a peek inside them. “What is the subject? How do you translate the narrative into a design? That’s usually how I approach my work,” she says.
This hyper-sense of curiosity has helped Tan, a Tatler’s Asia’s Most Influential 2021 honouree, to create artworks with an ethereal quality that feels new and exciting. She shot to fame with Eden, a 2019 installation at 163 Retail Park in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. A heavenly vision in white, it was composed of a light, skeletal structure with pebbled pathways and hanging glass spheres. The installation was an invitation to rediscover how nature could be experienced by magnifying subtle details through organic structures.
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Tatler Malaysia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av Tatler Malaysia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
How Working Out Transforms Your Skin
When we think about the benefits of exercise, glowing skin might not be the first thing that comes to mind. That said, getting that sweat going is not only great for your body but also an absolute game-changer for your skin
Mane Attraction
Dr Chang Chee Seong of Kaiteki Clinic shares his expert insights on hair loss, from the most common causes to cutting-edge solutions and what to expect on the journey of hair recovery
Body Manscaping
Discover the entrepreneurial journey of Jared Chuah, cofounder of Nateskin, and how this Malaysian brand is breaking taboos around men's grooming, particularly below the belt
Skin Superfoods
Glow from within with these six ingredients that are good for your complexion
Elevated Wellness
Discover Amani Biohacking Club: Malaysia's first biohacking society for optimal leadership and life balance
The Dior Warrior
Drawing inspiration from the world of sports and the strength of female Amazonian warriors, Maria Grazia Chiuri redefines empowered femininity as something both graceful and formidable for Dior's spring-summer 2025 collection
ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL - MALAYSIA
Meet the country's most influential individuals: 100 prominent figures who are changing the landscape in Malaysia across industries in our main categories, from business and STEM, to social impact and culture.
Innovating with Purpose
Chor Chee Hoe, co-founder of Qarbotech, talks about how carbon-based innovations are changing the face of farming and ensuring a greener, more productive future
Grounded Vision
Minister of housing and local government, Nga Kor Ming shares the personal experiences and guiding principles that have shaped him, revealing the thoughtful man behind politician
Raising Penang's Bar
Backdoor Bodega's Koh Yung Shen is elevating Penang's bar scene with Penang Cocktail Week