Ernest Goh
WORKS:
BLEACHED BONES
Bleached Bones is a visual catalogue of photographic prints by artist and photographer Ernest Goh. In this exhibition curated by Shireen Marican, bleached corals capture timeless, poignant last words of the departed. Bleaching is a phenomenon when corals turn completely white after algae in their tissues are expelled when their waters are too warm — nature’s lasting reminder that climatic changes continue to influence ecological systems. Ernest’s explorations across the shores of Nikoi Island in Indonesia led to a discovery of the unique formations of these bleached corals. In these, he finds a visual parallel to the alphabet system which he draws upon to contemplate lessons of life and living from death poems and last words. More about the exhibition at Blueprint Art Advisory and read the curatorial essay here.
PLASTIGLOMORATES
Plastiglomerates are marine debris, usually plastic, that has been fused with natural materials such as ocean rocks, sand and wood. These plastic-rocks are now considered by social scientists and geologists to be a potential marker of the Anthropocene, a proposed geological timescale that dates from the commencement of significant human impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems.
In Jane Bennett’s Vibrant Matter where she discusses recognising the active roles of human and nonhuman forces in events. The artist wanted to explore the kind of ‘rock-matter’ that could be produced by the active participation of his own, and as an exact opposition to the ‘naturally-made’.
A 10-metre long dinning table surface that presents shore debris collected from Punggol beach Singapore. Participants are invited to remove micro plastic – ocean plastic fragments 1 – 5mm in size. The work prompts participants to develop a deeper understanding of the plastic pollution crisis, its complexities and contradictions. Can we truly think of ourselves as detached from nature, at a time where microplastics have found their way into the air, our food and even our bodies?
Creatures of the Meek
The meek will inherit the earth, transforming into creatures forged from a culture of ignorance. Born from the remnants of the devastation left behind by man, they survive in an environment stripped of its resources. They are the aggressors and the victims, the monsters and the protectors, takers, and the givers. ‘CREATURES OF THE MEEK’, is a water refill station created by the artist by crossing participatory public art and a social utility such as a public drinking water fountain.
Plastic waste has reached tremendous amounts around the world. Even with efficient waste management systems and recycling initiatives, we will soon be unable to cope with the hundreds of tons generated every day globally. We can, however, stop contributing to plastic waste by reducing our use of single-use plastics. Refuse a plastic bottle of water, opting instead to refill a reusable bottle at a public drinking water fountain.
PROJECTS:
Lead artist Ayer Ayer – an ecologically-engaged initiative that reaches out to communities through visual and participatory artworks to foster environmental protection and awareness. Ayer Ayer’s focus on ocean plastic in the regional waterways of South-East Asia has led to the creation of public art, digital gamification and research projects.
Artistic-director Ubah Rumah – an artist residency and research outpost located on Nikoi island, Indonesia. The residency programme offers artists and researchers an opportunity to explore and investigate cultural and climate issues faced by islanders of the Riau archipelago. The programme partners Nikoi – an ethically developed island destination focused on bringing unique experiences that minimises negative impact in the short term and has a long term positive impact on the local community and environment.
The Animal Book is the result of the artist’s fascination with the natural world that began as a boy at his grandmother’s rural kampung in Siglap, Singapore, where he waded in longkangs looking for fish and jumped into bushes searching for fighting spiders.
REACH:
Instagram: @theanimalbookco
Email: ernest@ayerayer.com
Artist and photographer Ernest Goh’s (b. 1979) practice has been spent looking at the environment and its creatures, trying to understand the complex yet awe-inspiring interconnectivity between our planet and its inhabitants.
Ernest Goh founded Ayer Ayer – an ecologically-engaged initiative that reaches out to communities through visual and participatory artworks to further environmental protection and awareness. He is also the co-founder of Ubah Rumah, an artist residency and research outpost on Nikoi Island, Indonesia. Ayer Ayer’s focus on ocean plastic in the regional waterways of South-East Asia has led to the creation of public art, digital gamification and social intervention projects.
The artist also created The Animal Book Co., a photography-based project that explores unique natural histories. Ernest’s animal portraits have been published in The Fish Book (2011), COCKS (2013, republished as Chickens in the US in 2015), and The Gift Book (2014). Ernest’s work has been commissioned by and installed at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore, collected by the Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow, and also resides in public and private collections.
Formerly a photojournalist, Ernest has documented South-East Asia extensively including the Burmese refugee crisis on the Thai-Burmese border and the aftermath and recovery of the 2004 Tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia. He has photographed for Time Magazine Asia, Newsweek, Der Spiegel, Monocle and the Smithsonian.
Ernest is an awardee of the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (Singapore) SG Eco Fund, and the National Environment Agency EcoFriend Award (2024). He also received the Discernment Award at the Icon de Martell Cordon Bleu Awards, Singapore (2012), the Sony World Photography Award (2013), the Incentivising Innovation Fund by the Institute of Contemporary Arts London, the Nesta UK for its Cultural Leadership Program (2009) and the Philips Design Award (1999). Ernest studied the creative and culture industries and received an MA from Goldsmith College UK (2009).