Regarded as Singapore's next master ceramist, Jason Lim is back with a solo exhibition which combines his skilled craftsmanship in sculpting with influences from performance art. The result is "Under the Shadow of the Banyan Tree", showcasing ceramic pieces that go beyond being merely objects of beauty, and instead as subjects that provoke thought and interaction with the viewer.

Drawing inspiration from the themes of the material and the spiritual worlds such as that explored in the Hindu text Bhagavad Gita, the exhibition is an embodiment of Lim's interest in forms of nature. The Banyan Tree in particular takes center stage as the philosophical underpinnings that drive his recent practice in ceramics.

The show will feature a new series of unique clay and terracotta plates alongside two large installation works and a series of rare paper works that will be shown for the first time. These works explore the dual characteristics of nature as both benevolent and malignant; whilst expressing an acute awareness of human relations with them.

"My ideas are in a constant flux. I change the identity of things, and make many layers of meaning. I find it important to capture visual tendencies that influence and stimulate the viewer's perception and imagination. In this way, I want my work to provide visual questionsinstead of answers."- Jason Lim

Jason studied at Central St Martins College of Art & Design, and graduated with a BA (Hons). He attained his Master of Fine Arts Degree from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (LaSalle College of the Arts) in 2003. Jason's repertoire of works encompasses ceramics, photography, video art, installation art and performance art. He recently started experimenting with new mediums such as bronze and resin, in collaboration with the Yogya Art Lab.

His first show was in Canterbury, England in 1992. He has since exhibited across the globe in Australia, Germany, India, Japan, Poland, Singapore, Thailand and the Netherlands. He was also part of the Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2007. Jason's past solo exhibitions include Tempus Fugit (Time Flies) (Gajah Gallery), Bukit Musings (Gajah Gallery) and Still/Life (Equator Art Projects).

Press release courtesy Gajah Gallery.