Synopsis:

Singaporean artist Mujahid Jalil's (b. 1998, Singapore) debut solo presentation What a Pig! brings together a series of works that expound on the human lust for power beyond our humanity.

Primarily working with oil on canvas, Jalil's metaphorical works revolve around the notion of power, and its workings within our contemporary society at both micro- and macro- levels. In particular, Jalil is concerned with the operations of structural power, one that manifests in the frameworks of how power is devised and enforced, as in the case of capital punishment or compulsory conscription.

In this body of work, Jalil presents absurd scenarios of pigs flying; suspended by a noose; and mid-way through a feast. Here, Jalil's subject matter serves as an epithet in ascribing qualities associated with the animal to humans in a pejorative sense. In pushing for one's selfish agenda, the presented scenarios collectively hinge on portraying greed, lust, and desire for power. Such portrayal of our humanism then harks back to the primal nature of man, as no more superior to nature itself.

Born in Singapore, Jalil graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) with a Diploma in Fine Arts in 2018. He has shown work both locally and internationally. Most recently, he participated in the group exhibitions Moving in Place at Coda Culture, Singapore (2020), and New Beginnings at Cuturi Gallery, Singapore (2021).