Sai
(aka Chen Sai Hua Kuan)
Kopi Teh
Stainless Steel / 50cm L x 20cm B x 50cm H
ABOUT THE WORK
The sculpture Kopi Teh draws inspiration from the shape of teapots often used by stalls selling drinks stalls in coffeeshops. Kopi is an Indonesia and Malay term for coffee and teh originates from the Hokkien word Cha茶 for tea. Kopi Teh is inspired by Singapore's unique coffeeshop culture where it is the most down-to-earth place where for locals to get together. It is also a place where Eastern, Western and local cultures blend, unfold and mingle through the sensation of taste.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sai (aka Chen Sai Hua Kuan) lives and works in Singapore. He received an MFA in sculpture from the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London (2007). Sai is interested in the notion of play within daily life. His practices often challenge the habituated eye by deconstructing and transforming everyday objects, found materials and situations, so as to invite fresh interpretations of them. Sai sees his art as the outcome of conditional activities determined and enabled by site and context, which go beyond object-making and conventional studio practice. His work has been included in numerous reginal and international exhibitions, including Comma Space, Singapore (2020), Creative Center Osaka, Japan (2019); Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin, Germany (2016); and 4th Singapore Biennale (2013) etc.