Marcos Kueh
Marcos Kueh
Kenyalang Circus: Ibu Pertiwiku
Marcos Kueh graduated from the KABK in The Hague in 2022 with a large tapestry he produced in the TextielLab. The tapestry is part of the ongoing Kenyalang Circus series. In it, Kueh wrestles with pressing questions about his identity as a Chinese Malaysian from Borneo who in Europe is regarded as ‘exotic’. His graduation project won the Ron Mandos Young Blood Award and was acquired by Museum Voorlinden. After being selected to participate in the TextielLab’s Advanced Textile Program in 2023, Kueh returned to the lab in 2024 to develop a new work in the series. Measuring some 10 metres high and almost 3.5 metres wide, it is his largest tapestry to date.
There is a lot going on in this gigantic woven fabric. It once again satirises the circus surrounding the misunderstood cultures of Borneo, with a mix of traditional masks and the lyrics of the state anthem of Sarawak as exotic entertainment. The tapestry is made of abaca, cotton and mohair and includes several twisted/twined yarns. An experienced weaver, Kueh designed his own weaves, which he tested and adjusted in the lab with product developer Marjan van Oeffelt. This resulted in a signature style. The tapestry can be seen in the National Visual Arts Gallery in Kua la Lumpur until March 2025.
