HARTA Presents The Dog Days Exhibition by Ping

Dog Days, a solo exhibition by Ping at HARTA Space.

Photo by HARTA

For Ping, art acts as a metaphor. The exhibition being an exploration of her thoughts and emotions. During the media preview for her first ever solo exhibition, Dog Days, Ping brought us on a detailed tour. She invited us to engage with her work, asking “What do you think? How does this make you feel?”.

Photo by HARTA

The crowd was rather quiet, allowing Ping to take the spotlight and express her intent. She wanted us to take home whatever emotions her art ignites. To evoke feelings rather than providing answers. Additionally, she notes that her works are more about exploration than conclusions.

Photo by HARTA

Ping, who spent much of her time with her black dog during the pandemic, found inspiration in the peculiar behaviours of her pet. As much as we connect with our furry companions, there are times where their actions seem foreign to us. This exhibition reflects her quest to understand and interpret these behaviours, offering a fresh perspective on what might be perceived as ‘strange.’

Photo by HARTA

Walking through the exhibition, curated to be explored counterclockwise—a choice by Ping to challenge convention—I experienced a range of emotions. Initially, there was a sense of rage, which gradually shifted to fear and eventually to a melancholic feeling. Though my perception may differ from others, Ping emphasises that every interpretation is valid and valuable.

The Underlying Message.

Photo by HARTA

For the emerging artist, the black dog symbolises many things: depression, a living companion, and a lesson in patience. She aims to humanise depression rather than demonise it.

Photo by HARTA

Curated by Studio Sayang and supported by HARTA, the exhibition aims to loosen the stigmas surrounding mental health. The artist suggests we view depression through the lens of a pet that can be trained. Thus, approaching it with more compassion.

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Before transitioning to fine arts, Ping worked in accounting and finance. Since then, she has gained recognition, being nominated as a finalist for the Malaysian Emerging Artist Award (MEAA) in 2022 and the Asia Art Futures Award in 2023.