Seasonal gloom brought on by prolonged hazy skies has not dampened the spirits of artists, many of whom are using their work to capture the public’s collective concern, anger and hope.
In George Town, Penang, independent gallery Cultprint presents Up In The Air, a solo exhibition by British artist Thomas Powell, running until Dec 6.
Having lived in Penang since 2009, Powell presents a series of paintings and mixed-media installations that respond to Malaysia’s recurring haze and forecasts of a strong El Nino.
During the latest bout of extreme haze, Powell has been fortunate enough to be cooped up in his studio, painting. However, he can only imagine how difficult it must be for those who do not have the option of staying indoors.
“I think this is about more than haze. It’s one manifestation of the broader failings of our society. Decisions made by those with enormous financial and economic power too often prioritise maximum profit over human and planetary health,” says Powell, 41, in an email interview.
“Our economic systems routinely fail to account for the real cost of things, particularly the value of what nature provides us freely: clean air and water, pollination, fertile soil and the countless other systems that make life possible,” he adds.
Rather than treating the haze as an isolated weather event, Powell places it within a broader conversation about how we live, what we value and what we choose to ignore.
“For a number of years, my work has focused on us as a species living on a ball in space. The imagery changes, but the underlying narrative remains much the same. I’m interested in exploring our present moment through the lens of civilisations rising and falling throughout history,” he explains.
The figures in the exhibition’s main work are not angels, Powell clarifies, but are based on sculptures of Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory.
“They raise a question for me: what does victory actually mean in today’s world? We have the manpower, technology, money and resources to bring about enormously positive global change. Yet we continue to burn forests, destroy ecosystems and drop bombs on one another. I’m interested in that contradiction: the distance between what humanity is capable of achieving and what we actually choose to do,” he says.
In his studio space, Powell’s research into environmental change extends beyond climate reports. He draws on history, philosophy, economics and literature, often listening to audiobooks while he works.
By examining the rise and fall of civilisations throughout history, Powell encourages visitors to consider what the current period of unusual weather might teach us about living more sustainably: being better prepared, wasting less and recognising our dependence on the natural systems that sustain us.
Yet the exhibition offers no easy answers. Much like its title suggests, many questions remain “up in the air”.
“I’m visually exploring the thinking of experts across different fields, looking at our present moment through multiple perspectives. I’m interested in how ideas from history, science, economics, philosophy and other disciplines connect, and how those connections can be translated into images that communicate something about the world we’re living in, perhaps encouraging a moment of pause and reflection on the issues that affect us all,” he says.
Powell, who divides his time between George Town and Britain, is a familiar presence in Penang’s art scene, having participated in group exhibitions, mural projects and solo shows exploring themes ranging from the Chinese zodiac to greed and corruption.
The Up In The Air exhibition at Cultprints is showing until Dec 6. It is open Fridays to Sundays, noon to 7pm.
