Robert Zhao Ren Hui Sold at Auction Prices

ROBERT ZHAO REN HUI (b. 1983) THE CATS OF MALAYA SERIES: A MEETING BETWEEN TWO CATS, 2011, Archival piezographic canvas print, edition 3 of 3 plus 1 artist’s proof

It’s interesting to note how the title of this work by Singapore multidisciplinary artist Robert Zhao Ren Hui is diplomatically worded, not to give either of the cat, the lion and the tiger, or the tiger and the lion, higher billing which could be misconstrued. The analogy refers to the Malayan tiger and the Singapore lion, later morphed into merlion – a mermaid and lion hybrid. Interesting, too, is the body language of the two cats: somewhat diffident but open to guarded negotiations. Relations between Singapore and Malaysia has never been cordial, even in the best of times, although the new leaders, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Lee Hsien Loong, have had made more headway, for example, the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) Project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2026. Also the Indonesia-Singapore-Malaysia Growth Triangle; the Five-Power Defence Arrangements (The Commonwealth axis of Singapore, Malaysia, Britain, New Zealand and Australia); and the Iskandar Malaysia project luring Singapore investments. Even the Pedra Branca (‘White Rock’ of guano or bird deposits) or what is called Pulau Batu Puteh was to be resolved by the International Court of Justice, which found in Singapore’s favour, but which Malaysian is appealing on new-found evidence. Other problems like water is too protracted to be discussed here, while steps are being taken to alleviate vehicle and people congestion at the Causeway and the Second Link, unlike former prime minister Tun Mahathir Mohamed’s “half bridge to nowhere.” The Tunku Abdul Rahman/Mahathir-Lee Kuan Yew intransigence festered with the growth pangs of independence that led to Singapore being expelled from the federation in 1964. This was especially so after the race riots in Singapore in July and September 1964, triggered partly by the PAP winning only the Bangsar seat in the peninsular foray whilte (Singapore) Umno lost bids in all three constituencies contested, although part of the blame was put squarely on the Confrontation, Sukarno’s Hapuskan Malaysia.History lessons aside, Robert Zhao’s works are filled with mischief and irony. He spent a month on a tree in Orchard Road to photograph the myna, using blank exposures against lowly exposed images of the common myna, and which resulted in a 100-page photobook. In his art, he established the fictive Institute of Critical Zoologists in 2008. He comes with strong credentials: UOB Painting of the Year 2009, Singapore; Deutsche Bank Award in Photogrpahy in University of the Arts, London, 2011; Sony World Photography Awards, 2010 and 2011; Singapore National Arts Council’s Young Artist Award, 2010; and the London Association of Photographer’s student award (2007). He received his Bachelors’ and Master’s degree in Photogrpahy from the Camberwell College of Arts and the London College of Communication respectively. He took part in the 20th Biennale of Sydney (2016) and the 2017 Singapore Art State.