Cuteness has taken the world by storm. Whether it takes the shape of beloved icons like Hello Kitty, wide-eyed Superflat characters or internet starlet Moo Deng, it is clear that this pervasive aesthetic has become somewhat of a cultural force. This power of cuteness is the central idea behind a new group show at Tang Contemporary Art in Singapore, as artists come together to explore the push and pull of universal charm.
Uncanny Cuteness examines how a visual language of round figures and pastel colors has evolved into a potent medium for understanding identity, consumption and political messaging. Featuring the work of Arkiv Vilmansa, Dennis Osadebe, Jonathan Hadipranata, Ruo-Hsin Wu, Tania Marmolejo, Yasuhito Kawasaki, Yokoteen and Mie Olise kjærgaard, the exhibition channels ideas about the role of art and aesthetically-driven cultural connection through endearing and playful forms.
From Hadipranta’s cherubic, mouth-taped children to the powerfully piercing eyes fashioned on Marmolejo’s Venus-like women, each of these figurative works poke the underbelly of the cute and uneasy, opening up fresh perspectives on the role of art and society itself. The exhibition invites viewers to peel back the sweet surface of cuteness and reveal a sharp edge, revealing that sometimes the most unassuming subjects have the most to say about the world.
Uncanny Cuteness is now on view through December 7, 2024.
Tang Contemporary Art Singapore
402 Orchard Road, Delfi,
#06-01/02, Singapore 238876
