Anne Samat (Malaysia / USA)

Museum of Contemporary Art

Anne Samat is a Malaysian artist who employs the Southeast Asian art of Pua Kumbu weaving and adds humble goods from 99 cent (discount) stores to construct brightly coloured, totemic works. They resonate from deeply personal issues – family and identity – and speak of love, individuality, and liberation. For Samat, it is paramount to embody what one feels to be from within – without fear or coercion. Her works often have clear gender assignments, but even when this can be discerned it often feels irrelevant in light of the greater presence of the sculptures. Brightly coloured and heavily adorned with details, each one resonates as an avatar.

Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with assistance from MARC STRAUS Gallery, NYC.