Naïve and Sentimental Painting I (small version), Spring 2010

oil on linen

600 x 1200 mm

Khai Liew
Rem, 2009
cabinet on stand in American black walnut
1200 x 1200 x 500 mm

EMPATHY: KHAI LIEW & JOHN YOUNG
Michael Reid at Elizabeth Bay Sydney, 2 March – 2 April 2011


"In their separate approaches and practices, both Young and Liew are deeply interested in aesthetics and history, contemplating its cross-cultural foundations and distilling it in their work with a quiet spirit. What results is not sentimental, heavy handed cliché or didactic. This is one of the empathetic touch points between Young and Liew – an attitude towards the efficacy of artistic practice to play a key role in knowledge production. Their work has wide ranging implications for the Australian community because it demands us to formulate a realistic conversation about history and aesthetics that relates to the experiences of Australian modernity emerging from migration and cross-cultural dialogue."

Aaron Seeto
4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney
2011