Khalsom is an international artist of British and Malaysian descent, and has been living in Singapore for over ten years. An Interior Architecture graduate (2006), Khalsom has a background in design, but in recent years has been firmly focused on her dynamic art. As a self-taught abstract artist, she is revered for her work which exudes fluidity and stunning colour, whilst embracing the concepts of life, love and change.
"In my art I'm looking for beauty in the chaos, beauty in the imperfections."
Second Chance
In the words of the artist:
"We all deserve a second chance!
"This series looks at second chances in more ways than one.
"Firstly, and probably most logically, a few pieces were lying around my home and studio that were half finished, semi-forgotten. I'd see them with one eye open, pretending they didn't exist. I kept saying to myself that I would finish them at some point. Waste not, want not. I always hang onto them when I have one of my freakouts and have to throw everything out. Haha, some of you know this happens a lot.
"So, too special for my neighbour who gets my cast-offs. Funny, if we passed each other in the street, neither of us would have any idea, but his home is full of my work on its way to the bin. I have no idea what he does with it! (I know this upsets many of you. Soz.)
"So I reworked, repainted and reimagined six pieces and came up with this collection that screams abundance.
"My last series, Chapter 2, was minimal and monochrome. This series is a total 180. It's wild, mad, abundant, happy, free, exciting, and full of colour! (I almost feel bad for Elena and Blair, who have to live with my madness surrounding them in their gallery. Almost. 😂)
"The way I see it if things didn't work the first time and you do get that 'second chance', do it with spirit, with gusto, with passion. Throw everything you've got into it; otherwise, what's the point? It might be your second chance, and it also may be your last.
"Hah, can you imagine what a 3rd chance would look like?"
"My work is themed around contrast and change. I look to create something that's both beautiful and 'ugly' using bold contrasting colours, shimmers and hues alongside rough, cracked, abrasive textures.
"It's this relationship that I want to focus on, the idea that something damaged or broken can also be beautiful." ~ Khalsom
"Life is constantly changing, as humans, we experience moments of love, joy, contentment, as well as moments of despair, heartbreak and loss. We are forever growing and evolving, whether we realise it or not. Our ideals change, our behaviour, our propensities, and the butterflies signify just that - a metamorphosis, or the concept of growing up." ~ Khalsom
"I want to fill the world with colour and love, and with that comes a little chaos. As the ocean of life swirls and tumbles around us, we become stronger, more experienced, more capable of dealing with life. Life that is filled with moments of darkness and moments of perfect joy.” ~ Khalsom
"I just want to fill the world with colour and love, and with that comes a little chaos." ~ Khalsom
“I grew up in Malaysia surrounded by jungle, flora and fauna, all different colours, shapes and sizes. I love deep rich greens and bright pops of colour. It was totally normal to have monkeys running across your rooftop right in the middle of the city. It's still like that now where my mother lives, 15 minutes from the city centre. My home is now full of big leafed plants, possibly because anything with little delicate leaves or flowers dies immediately in my care 🤣 - oops.” ~ Khalsom
"My darkest piece of this series, and probably one of my faves. Little pops of colour peek through the layers of 'darkness', creating a feeling of hopeful intrigue. Without the darkness we wouldn't be able to see the stars." ~ Khalsom
About Tunku Khalsom
Khalsom is an international artist of British and Malaysian descent, and has been living in Singapore for over ten years.
An Interior Architecture graduate (2006), Khalsom has a background in design, but in recent years has been firmly focused on her dynamic art. As a self-taught abstract artist, she is revered for her work which exudes fluidity and stunning colour, whilst embracing the concepts of life, love and change.
Khalsom's mantra is, "always changing, always growing" and is expressed through the movement in her art, working predominantly with inks for their perfect fluid nature.
Bold colours evoke different emotions, having the power to alter moods and thoughts. It's this relationship with colour that Khalsom uses to make her pieces come to life.
Skulls and butterflies are the recurring motifs used to represent her ideas. Combined with her love of colour, Khalsom's highly dynamic and artistic creations stem from an appreciation for life and joy. Her art stands out, is noticed and truly makes a statement.
"My work is themed around contrast and change. I look to create something that's both beautiful and 'ugly' using bold contrasting colours, shimmers and hues alongside rough, cracked, abrasive textures.
"It's this relationship that I want to focus on, the idea that something damaged or broken can also be beautiful.
"Life is constantly changing, as humans, we experience moments of love, joy, contentment, as well as moments of despair, heartbreak and loss. We are forever growing and evolving, whether we realise it or not. Our ideals change, our behaviour, our propensities, and the butterflies signify just that - a metamorphosis, or the concept of growing up."
Khalsom's works have been exhibited at the Affordable Art Fair (Singapore). They are also in the homes of private collectors in Singapore, Malaysia, London, USA, Brunei, Australia, and Greece.
"In my art I'm looking for beauty in the chaos, beauty in the imperfections." – Khalsom
Khalsom at play in her studio