Khairullah Rahim Biography

Formally trained in the field of painting, Khairullah Rahim has also further explored other mediums such as sculpture, installation and video in developing his practice. In his works, he creates engaging and sometimes challenging stories of the marginalisation of minorities, among other social issues in Singapore and are often contextual analogies for human societies. He is especially intrigued by the conflict and tension dealing  between expressing the intimacy developed in these proscribed issues , of which their obscurity is a condition, and his desire to bring its context into visibility. Both factual events and personal experiences were fundamental in his works as he mixes fact and fiction to compelling and convincing effect, thus, creating a discourse. However, while he guards their inaccessible nature, he also testifies to the eroticism, sensuality, and life present in these contexts and characters.

Khairullah Rahim has participated actively in various exhibitions such as Echoes of Anticipation (FOST Gallery, 2014), No Approval (Grey Projects, 2013), PROJECT 6581 (JCC, Embassy of Japan, 2013) and ASIA CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW (Hong Kong, 2013) to name a few. In addition, his works has also been showcased in numerous exhibitions and art fairs abroad; Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Turkey, USA, and Japan. In 2009, he was awarded the first prize in the SLA painting competition organized by the Singapore Land Authority and in 2010, he was the top four finalists and also the recipient of the People's Choice Award at the CLIFTONS Art Prize 2010 competition organized by CLIFTONS, Australia. In 2013, he was invited to extend his research and practice at an artist-in-residence programme organized by YOUKOBO Art Residency Programme, Japan, and INSTINC Gallery, Singapore.