Artist Profile
Rekha Menon is a self-taught artist who finally took the plunge to go full-time into visual arts after over a decade being a branding and media relations professional. Menon, a Malaysian artist born and based in Kuala Lumpur, combines naïve figurations and abstract motifs in her body of work. She loves to explore the mystery of our subconscious mind. Her bright and colourful palette flows with lines, shapes, patterns, symbols and shading to signify the plethora of expressions and feelings. Menon’s artworks have been showcased at international platforms in Italy, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. She was recognized with a Honourable Award by the International Watercolour Society for its 2018 International Watercolour Biennale. Her works are currently in private collections in Italy, Indonesia, Germany, Norway, Sri Lanka, Bangkok, Singapore and Malaysia.
Artist Statement
I am a contemporary artist working with mixed media. My artworks tend to gravitate towards naïve and pop art. I use a lot of bright colours, repetitive patterns and textures in my artworks. My current influences are Yayoi Kusama, Izumi Kato, Henri Matisse, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Rafiee Ghani, Charles Cham, Dedy Sufriadi and Heri Dono. Understanding the human element has always interested me. I love to explore the multi-dimensional aspect of us as humans through our emotions, self-awareness and interconnectedness. I believe that when every person is given the right care and opportunity, there will be more empathy and kindness in this world.
Selected Exhibitions
INTERNATIONAL
Karja Art Space - "Awakening" - Residency Solo Show - July 2022 - Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Chang Chui Gallery - "Friendship: Art & Connectivity" - October 2019 - Bangkok, Thailand
Padepokan Apel Watoe Gallery - "The Path of Love" - July 2019 - Jogjakarta, Indonesia
Mona Gallery - Group Show - "Celebrating Life" – March 2018 - Tokyo, Japan
LOCAL
ArtVoice Gallery - Awakening (Residency Solo Show) - September 2022 - KL, Malaysia
HOMs & Chetak 17 - Print Making Open Show 2022 - September 2022 - KL, Malaysia
Galeri Prima (ArtVoice Collective) - reSET - May 2022 - KL, Malaysia
MAYBANK Gallery - Virtual Show - "Light & Dark" - January 2022 - KL, Malaysia
TheArtSeni - Hotel Art Show - "Momo's 2.0" – December 2021 - KL, Malaysia
National Art Gallery - MAEF Art Fair – December 2021 - KL, Malaysia
ArtVoice Gallery - Online Show - "Proud To Be Nude" – August 2021 - Selangor, Malaysia
Chetak12 - Online Show - "ArtAidArtist" – August 2021 - Selangor, Malaysia
Artomovement - Virtual Show - "VIRTUE (AL) 2.0" – August 2021 - Selangor, Malaysia
ArtVoice Gallery - Online Show - "Pop Art" – June 2021 - Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia & Philippines
Zhan Art Space - "Duality" – March 2021 - Selangor, Malaysia
KL City Art Gallery (ArtVoice Collective) - Online Show - "In This Moment" – February 2021 - MY & NY
Greydea Studio - "Part 2: Letter to Basquiat" – January 2021 - KL, Malaysia
Inner Joy Art Gallery - "Be Kind. Have Courage" – October 2020 - Selangor, Malaysia
Penang State Art Gallery & Museum - 'Beyond 2020' - August 2020 - Malaysia
Artemis Gallery - Part 1: Conversation with Basquiat" – August 2020 - Malaysia
Galeri Shah Alam - PERUPA - "Satu: Masterpiece" – March 2020 - Malaysia
Atelier 11 Gallery - "International Women’s Day" – March 2020 - Malaysia
Publika Art Show (UEM, Segaris & Artemis) - "Sama - Sama" - August 2019 - KL, Malaysia
Ilford Gallery - "ArtiKarya Incubation Program Graduation" - February 2019 - Malaysia
UM Art Gallery (Opposite Abstract Collective) - "Non-Finito" – December 2019 - Malaysia
Wicked Art Space (Studio Mekar Collective) - "MyMory" - November 2018 - Malaysia
2010 - present
Award
Honourable Award Recipient - International Watercolour Biennale 2018
2010 - present
Residency
Karja Art Space - Ubud, Bali, Indonesia - 2022
Education
MA in Communication Management (University of South Australia)
BA in Media & Communication (Murdoch University, Australia)