Chan Hampe Galleries is delighted to present "M.O.L.C." — a solo show by London-based, Malaysian artist Rajinder Singh. The "M.O.L.C." series was inspired by Singh's observations of his home country of Malaysia while living abroad and the way in which his country has been depicted historically. Through this underlying theme, Singh constructs a 'make believe' world, dreaming of a time when 'Malaya' might have been promoted as a land of living curiosities — foreign, exotic, strange and exciting — a melting pot of rich and bizarre cultures.

Singh's uses his love of textured, weathered surfaces and his penchant for nostalgia to bring this theme to life. "In this series, I sought to reflect artistically my life as a Malaysian living abroad, I tossed about memories of what Malaysia meant to me, the things I took for granted growing up that in adult years could be interpreted by an outsider as somewhat bizarre and quirky. I combined this central theme with my recent exposure to print making in Paris. The experience I gained there was invaluable and excited my palate for the aesthetics that you see reflected in this series," says Singh.

The "M.O.L.C." series of paintings is a study of layers and excavations. Singh's paintings could be dig sites where the punctured, scoured surface reveals the many layers that make each piece. Up to 20 layers of paint and assorted fragments are piled onto stretched, heat protected, unprimed canvas before the artist breaks the surface open using various techniques including solvents, acid, fire and routers. From this foundation, Singh builds up the canvas through print and stencil techniques. The final image includes remnants from years of accumulated posters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other assorted nostalgia from the places Singh has stayed throughout his life — Malaysia, India, Singapore, Belfast and London, resulting in an excavation of oddities and curiosities from across the globe.