A month-long exhibition, Celebrations: Tradition Reimagined will see the Commune flagship showroom furnished with Goh’s new collage works evoking the zeitgeist of Chinese New Year
For more than half a century, local artist Goh Beng Kwan has played a pivotal role in shaping the contemporary art scene, putting the little red dot that is Singapore on the map. Amid his success, Goh has consistently honoured his heritage; since the 1990s, he has upheld an annual tradition of creating a special Chinese New Year artwork. In 2024, he expanded this collection by incorporating his family’s treasure trove of vintage red packets, featuring recognisable homegrown brands.
Come 2025, the 87-year-old artist will bring these artworks to the flagship store of furniture brand Commune. From 11 January to 12 February 2025, Celebrations: Tradition Reimagined (欢聚一堂), launched in conjunction with the festive season, will present a fresh perspective on family values, cultural traditions, and the significance of auspicious symbols.
This exhibition will feature 40 of Goh’s collages and mixed-media works, showcasing his distinctive approach to abstraction and collage. Evocative and sentimental, each piece transforms vintage red packets—including those collected by the artist’s wife in the 1960s—into vibrant artworks that celebrate the cultural significance of Chinese New Year while embodying themes of prosperity, unity, and renewal. Additionally, select works incorporate offcuts of wood and leather from Commune’s furniture production process—a thoughtful nod to the brand’s sustainability ethos.
The artworks bear auspicious titles such as Abundant Wealth (金玉满堂), Auspicious and Lucky (大吉大利), and Good Fortune and Prosperity (吉祥富贵), each reflecting the rich traditions of family togetherness and good fortune associated with Chinese New Year.
Many pieces feature traditional Chinese symbols and colours, elevated by Goh’s mastery of tone, texture, and harmonious compositions. For instance, Abundant Wealth (金玉满堂) integrates Chinese red packets alongside Malay green packets and incorporates motifs of double fish (双鱼), birds, and dragons. Another standout piece, Ba-Gua Prosperity (八卦吉祥), draws attention with its commanding octagonal design at its core, crafted from recycled red packets and found materials such as Awfully Chocolate-branded ribbons and paper. The bold ba-gua shape, rich in cultural symbolism, seamlessly integrates the diverse textures and colours of the layered materials, resulting in a work that is as dynamic as it is meaningful.
As part of the exhibition, Goh will lead a series of upcycling workshops open to the public. During these sessions, he will share his techniques for transforming offcuts of wood and leather, red packets, and various other found materials into unique works of art. Each two-hour workshop will accommodate up to 12 participants aged 10 and above and will include tea or coffee along with Chinese New Year snacks.
“I would like to encourage everyone to embrace and reflect on the blessings of tradition, family, and creativity this New Year,“ says Goh. “It is my personal wish that the works bring our viewers and collectors these blessings and the joy of togetherness during the Lunar New Year and throughout the year ahead.”
