Goh Beng Kwan & COMMUNE Showcase Celebrations: Tradition Reimagined

From 11^th January through 12^th February 2025, prominent Singaporean artist Goh Beng Kwan and distinguished local furniture brand Commune will present Celebrations: Tradition Reimagined (欢聚一堂), a unique collaboration offering a fresh perspective on family values, cultural traditions, and the significance of auspicious symbols. Goh’s work will be installed throughout the Commune Millenia Walk flagship showroom, embracing visitors in the spirit of Chinese New Year, and inviting them to celebrate joyously at home with the vibrant colours of the season.

Through Goh Beng Kwan’s visionary artistry and Commune’s commitment to sustainable design, this exhibition explores the intersection between heritage and modernity, inviting viewers to reconnect with cultural heritage while envisioning a more conscious, eco-friendly future.

Goh is known for his distinctive approach to abstraction and collage, and the exhibition comprises 40 of his collages and mixed media works, created from recycled red packets, or ang bao, that hold deep personal significance. These red packets come from a private collection started by the artist’s wife in the 1960s, with some dating as far back as that era. Each piece transforms these small red envelopes into vibrant, contemporary artworks that echo the cultural significance of Chinese New Year while celebrating prosperity, unity, and renewal.  Additionally there will be a number of works made from the offcuts of wood and leather used in the production of Commune furniture.

The artworks are imbued with auspicious titles, such as Abundant Wealth (金玉满堂), Auspicious and Lucky (大吉大利), Good Fortune and Prosperity (吉祥富贵) each reflecting the rich traditions of family togetherness and good fortune associated with Chinese New Year. Many of the works showcase auspicious symbols and colours, with unusual tones and juxtapositions created by Goh’s extraordinary sense of color and ability to create harmonious compositions from a myriad of materials and shapes. For example, Abundant Wealth (金玉满堂) incorporates both Chinese red packets and Malay green packets, and features double fish (双鱼), birds, and dragon motifs. This visually dynamic and harmonious artwork beautifully celebrates prosperity and the unity of diverse cultures through its intricate design of meaningful elements.

The vintage and new ang baos lend a sense of nostalgia and familiarity to each work while creating an intricate and vibrant visual tapestry of diverse textures and colours on canvas. Ba-Gua Prosperity (八卦吉祥) captivates viewers with a commanding octagonal design at its core, crafted from recycled red packets and various found materials such as Awfully Chocolate-branded ribbons and paper. The bold ba-gua shape, rich in cultural symbolism, harmoniously integrates the diverse textures and colours of the layered materials.

“We are honoured to collaborate with Goh Beng Kwan for this warm and meaningful celebration of Chinese New Year in our flagship store,” says Julian Koh, Co-founder and Chief Design Officer of Commune Lifestyle. Co-founder and COO Gan Shee Wen adds, “This exciting collaboration was born out of friendship and mutual respect as creatives and designers. We think this is a wonderful way to usher in a prosperous Year of the Wood Snake.”

Over and above the sustainability factor of the upcycled red packets, a small yet meaningful collection of works will also incorporate recycled materials from Commune, including wood and leather, reinforcing the idea of renewal and transformation central to the New Year. These pieces blend Goh’s artistic ingenuity with the refined craftsmanship of Commune’s sustainable design ethos.

Goh will lead a series of upcycling workshops for the public throughout the exhibition, during which he will share his method of working with off cuts of wood and leather, red packets and various other found materials to create works of art. Each two-hour session will accommodate up to 12 persons aged 10 and above. Workshops will include tea or coffee and a selection of Chinese New Year pastries and snacks.

New Year Blessings

After winning the UOB Painting of the Year in 1982, Goh was invited around the world for exhibitions and workshops. Having met a variety of overseas artists during his extensive travels, Goh began his exploration of different styles and materials. It was in the 1960s that he first started to explore collage as a medium, with an increasing use of found materials like string, paper, fabric and metal.

Goh has kept an annual tradition of creating a special Chinese New Year work since the 1990s. In 2024 he decided to expand the collection of works and incorporate the family’s treasure trove of vintage red packets, which includes recognisable brands ranging from UOB, DBS, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, OCBC and Keppel Finance, to Pazzion, Kleenex, Singapore Pools, Marigold and NTUC FairPrice.

“I would like to encourage everyone to embrace and reflect on the blessings of tradition, family, and creativity this New Year,“ says Goh. “It is my personal wish that the works bring our viewers and collectors these blessings and the joy of togetherness during the Lunar New Year and throughout the year ahead.” 

Celebrations: Tradition Reimagined (欢聚一堂)

Exhibition Dates: 11 January – 12 February 2025

Opening Hours: 11.30 AM – 9 PM (Weekdays), 11 AM – 9 PM (Weekends), same as store hours

Location: Commune Lifestyle, Millenia Walk Flagship (9 Raffles Blvd #02-52, Millenia Walk, S039596)

Contact: +65 6338 3823, enquiries@thecommunelife.com or art@gohbengkwan.com

CNY Upcycling Workshops

Dates & Times: Sessions will be held from 2 PM – 4 PM on Sat 18 Jan, Sun 19 Jan, Sat 1 Feb & Sun 2 Feb.

Pricing & Booking: S$58 per pax (ages 10 and above) via gohbengkwan.com/goh-beng-kwan-shop. Pricing includes tea or coffee and a selection of pastries and snacks.

Location: Commune Lifestyle, Millenia Walk Flagship (9 Raffles Blvd #02-52, Millenia Walk, S039596)

Contact: art@gohbengkwan.com

A passionate advocate of the therapeutic benefits of art in supporting mental wellbeing, a portion of workshop proceeds will be donated to the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH).