Muted by Silence (White Mask Series)

140cm x 200 cm
Oil on canvas
Collection of Puan Siti Zarina Ismail

Artist Statement

One of the issues in Zedeck Siew’s White Mask is the discriminatory and judgemental attitude of society against those who are deemed against the norm. The muted white pinkish background portrayed the structure of a society that looked up to the pristine and clean appearance of the colour white.  However, true to the law of nature which throws imperfection, a few black circles were thrown into creating distortion and imbalance to enhance the survival of the species. The shadow of the chemical structure of neuromelanin, the dark pigment in the body to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays is depicted as the tainted blood in white skin that has given rise to horrendous discrimination of human species based on their race and colour of their skin.