Valentine Willie Fine Art presents an exciting new solo exhibition by accomplished Malaysian painter Kow Leong Kiang. Focusing on the erotic nude the artist looks at the duel notion of movement and constraint by placing his figures in a contained space where they wrestle and play with one another. The result is an intimate portrayal of a man and woman locked in physical and subsequently emotional struggle. New paintings have been produced for the exhibition each with a different stylistic approach. Such a strategy allows the artist to challenge himself aesthetically as well as conceptually to manipulate the effects of his medium to emphasise the tensions and emotional content generated by his subjects.

During a year long VWFA residency in Jogyakarta in 2008 Kow had the opportunity to study in more depth the nude body, a long standing area of interest for the artist. After experimenting and developing his ideas he then decided to stage an elaborate happening to begin his new series of work whilst in Indonesia. Kow selected a male and female model and then asked them to interact within a relatively compact (4 x 4 ft) specially created clear plastic box which mimics the square shape of his canvases. Choreographing and collaborating with them he photographed their movements in tightly composed images where flesh filled the entire frame. Translating these figures onto canvas when he returned to Malaysia, Kow concentrates on creating a sense of mystery, desire and romance that illustrates the common human experience of physical love. This physical interaction often leads to emotional and psychological feelings alluding to the fact that relationships have the power to liberate as well as trap the heart and mind. These powerful emotions are interrogated by the artist alongside the technical aesthetics of how to compose figures in tightly contained spaces and in curious almost mutated forms.

Through his signature approach of poetic realism, temperate colours and formal command Kow Leong Kiang presents audiences with a shifting confidence of practice. Viewers will witness new elements and ideas as well as appreciate his continuing skill as a figurative artist. Filled with a greater sense of inspiration for multiple subject matter Intimate Collisions represents one of the new chapters of his practice as he enters a mature period of style and contemplation.