Co-curator, Paul Nickson Atia, Counting Silence, Weaving Conversation, solo exhibition at Rissim Contemporary, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In 2022, Malaysian artist Paul Nickson Atia held his third solo exhibition, titled Counting Silence, Filling Space, Weaving Conversation at Rissim Contemporary in Kuala Lumpur. This exhibition showcased over a hundred canvases featuring meticulously painted squares, reflecting Paul's meditative process and interest in themes such as time, modularity, and autonomy.

Paul's background in architecture deeply influences his artistic practice, evident in the structured and modular approach of his paintings. The repetitive nature of his work draws parallels to prayer, inviting viewers to engage deeply with the patterns and configurations presented.

About Paul Nickson Atia 

Paul Nickson Atia (b. 1992) is a contemporary artist from Kuching, Sarawak. Upon completing his degree in B.Sc. Architecture from University Of Malaya (UM), Paul practiced at a local architecture firm PORT25 and was a part-time tutor at Taylor’s University School of Architecture & Building Design for several years, before turning his creativity towards paintings and drawings which are highly influenced by his architectural practice and education. Aside from architecture, his work delves into identity, and cultural narratives, often framed within social and historical contexts. Themes of spirituality, time, modularity, memory, and desire are integral to his practice.

About Yap Sau Bin (Co-curator)

Yap Sau Bin is a Malaysian artist, curator and educator. He teaches at the Faculty of Creative Multimedia, Multimedia University, Malaysia and is a member of Rumah Air Panas (RAP), a Kuala Lumpur-based artist initiative experimenting with conceptual installation, mapping and research-based curatorial engagement. Yap received awards in the Young Contemporaries Arts Award by the National Art Gallery, Malaysia in 2000 and 2002, and participated in the JENESYS Residency program in Japan in 2008.

About Rissim Contemporary

Located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Rissim Contemporary was established in 2019 with the intention to spotlight the works of young, emerging, and mid-career Malaysian artists. Aside from fostering the careers of a new generation of artists, Rissim Contemporary strives to nurture a new audience of young art collectors and lovers. Visit @rissimm_contemporary on Instagram to learn more.