In her second solo exhibition, artist Ong Cai Bin invites us to reconsider our place in the world by reflecting on the bond between humanity and the space we live, unveiling the unseen connections woven into daily experience, bringing to light how we both influence and are influenced by these spaces we inhabit and share with others, engaging us in an ongoing dialogue that probes on our understanding of what it means to coexist.

Subsumed in the rhythm of everyday life, our relationship with space and environment become second nature. People, events, and objects may appear as separate entities, yet they are enmeshed in a web of subtle, profound interactions. Space is more than a mere backdrop for human activity; it is the vessel that holds traces of emotion, memory and meaning. It is where every object inhabits a unique place within the environment, accumulating resonance and expansion of context, while we, as individuals, shape and are shaped by the spaces we inhabit, weaved into layers of self-awareness and shared memory.

This exhibition features artwork with lightboxes exploring topical issues and personal reflection, and a new body of work on papers, namely the Brave New World series, and an Orwellian 1984-inspired series. They are a reflection of our contemporary times, as dialogue pieces that challenge us to rethink our engagement patterns with our surroundings. Through reflection and reconsideration, we could find new ways to foster a deeper connection and appreciation for the intricate relationships that define our existence. Cai Bin’s art urges one to peer beyond the surface, to view and recognise the profound impact of our interactions with space, and to embrace the continuous exchange that shapes our reality.