Abraham Koh

Breaking Free!

Mixed media, acrylic and pieces of cloth on canvas • 70cm x 50cm • 2026

Vibrant abstract illustration of overlapping butterfly wings in pink, blue, yellow, orange and red, decorated with intricate geometric patterns, stripes and dots against a pale yellow background.

Abraham Koh talks about “Breaking Free!”

Show all transcripts
1

Describe what’s in your artwork Breaking Free!

This artwork is a 70cm by 50 cm canvas using mixed media, mostly acrylic and pieces of cloth. It is a very colorful piece of work with different types of wings flying about. The wings have many patterns and designs on them. Imagine insects trapped in a jar. Suddenly the cap is released and the insects break free from the jar excitedly and joyfully in all directions. There is chaos but in an uplifting way. That is how my painting looks like.

Painting this artwork made me slow down and manage my emotions. It also gave me a chance to use something other than acrylic paints in my work. Finding beauty in discarded pieces of cloth has helped me to look at things and situations differently. Matching and blending the designs on the cloths and my artwork shows me that harmony can exist if we try harder to look for it.

2

What inspired you to create this painting? Was there a particular feeling, experience, belief, or idea you wanted to express?

I have been feeling quite stressed lately with a course to attend and many deadlines to meet. Sometimes I am so tired I just want to be free just like the birds in the sky and insects that fly by so happily, with not a care in the world.

Also my chosen metaphor is “Wings’ which can represent a desire for freedom, emotional release and determination to rise above challenges.

So I decided to draw different types of wings flying in joyful abandon to express how I was feeling.

3

Is there a reason for naming your work “Breaking Free” ? Does it connect to a transformation in yourself, or perhaps the transformation of other people too?

Instead of naming the painting just “Wings”, I decided to call it “Breaking Free”. I wanted to get out of feeling anxious and lethargic. I am a visual person and images of wings help me visualise that it is possible to rise above struggles and dark periods. I suppose this imagery can empower people to break free from whatever is holding them back from doing their best.

4

You started with acrylic paint and then introduced pieces of scrap fabric and collage. What made you decide to combine these different materials? Does this feel like a new style or direction for you as an artist?

My mum was altering some of her dresses and I saw that the discarded pieces of cloth had interesting designs and colours. I decided to use them in my painting. Itis not a new style as I have done collage work before. Finding beauty in ordinary things and incorporating them into my work is fun. Matching and blending the designs on the cloths and my artwork shows me that harmony can exist if we try harder to look for it.

5

Do you think the process of making this painting is itself a way of “breaking free”? If so, what are you breaking free from, or breaking free towards?

In one of the zoom sessions, Sarah asked us about what we do when we have doubt or feel distressed. Painting this artwork made me slow down and manage my emotions. It made me realise that I sometimes put restrictions on myself. Things become possible If I am willing to let go of my reluctance and flawed beliefs.

6

Among the Seven Elements of leadership, you mentioned your values, beliefs and faith. How do these ideas come into Breaking Free!?

In Christianity, the metaphor of wings represents the presence of God and His angels. Verses like “hide me under the shadow of thy wings” tells us of God’s protection and “they will soar like wings of eagles” symbolises divine deliverance.

7

When people see Breaking Free! at the exhibition, what would you like them to feel, think about, or take away from it?

I hope people will find a connection with the painting. I hope that they can see that they have the power and choice to break free from expectations and mental models which hinder them. It takes courage but overcoming limits and rising above challenges will be a liberating and uplifting experience.

The Process

Click the left and right arrows to see more images:

Large abstract painting with bold, gestural brushstrokes in cobalt blue, navy and pale grey against a white background. Sweeping, overlapping shapes create a sense of movement, with areas of unfinished pencil sketching visible beneath the paint.
From design to canvas
Large abstract painting with bold, gestural brushstrokes in cobalt blue, navy and pale grey against a white background. Sweeping, overlapping shapes create a sense of movement, with areas of unfinished pencil sketching visible beneath the paint.
Young artist wearing glasses and a red polo shirt, seated at an easel and painting a vibrant abstract composition featuring bold yellow, blue, green, pink and orange shapes. Paintbrushes, palettes and art supplies are arranged nearby in a bright studio.
Using acrylic to paint the base
Close view of a young artist in glasses and a red polo shirt carefully painting an abstract canvas. The artwork features vibrant yellow, blue, green, pink and red shapes, with the artist adding intricate multicoloured brushstrokes to the lower right section.
Overhead view of an artist’s workspace featuring colourful patterned fabric cuttings scattered across a vibrant abstract painting. Scissors, tubes of super glue and a bottle of fabric glue sit among the materials, showing the process of creating a mixed media artwork.
Scrap cloth material, scissors and glue
Young artist wearing glasses and a red polo shirt carefully cutting a piece of patterned fabric with scissors at a cluttered worktable. A vibrant abstract painting in yellow, blue, green and pink lies on the table, surrounded by fabric scraps, books and art supplies.
Cutting scrap cloth material
Close view of a young artist wearing glasses and a red polo shirt carefully applying glue to a piece of red and white patterned fabric on an abstract canvas. The artwork features bold yellow, blue, green and pink shapes, combining expressive painting with decorative fabric elements.
Pasting on my artwork
Close view of a mixed media abstract artwork featuring sweeping brushstrokes in bright yellow, cobalt blue, turquoise and red. Two overlapping red and pink heart shapes sit at the centre, surrounded by geometric patterned fabric pieces and expressive painted forms.
Close up of collage work
Colourful abstract mixed media painting featuring sweeping shapes in yellow, blue, pink and green with geometric patterned fabric.
Close view of a colourful abstract mixed media artwork featuring overlapping patterned shapes in pink, red, blue and orange.
Matching and blending paint with cloth
Colourful abstract mixed media painting featuring overlapping butterfly wings and organic shapes in blue, yellow, pink and green.
Young artist wearing glasses and a blue T-shirt seated at a table, carefully adding fine details to a vibrant mixed media painting. The artwork features butterfly-like shapes decorated with intricate geometric patterns, dots and stripes in pink, yellow, red and blue. Pastels, brushes and a paint palette are arranged on the table nearby.
Adding more patterns to work
Vibrant abstract mixed media painting featuring overlapping butterfly wings in blue, yellow, pink, orange and red.
Young artist wearing glasses and a blue T-shirt holding a paintbrush beside a colourful abstract painting.
Final touches
Completed abstract mixed media artwork featuring colourful butterfly wings and flowing organic shapes. Intricate geometric patterns, dots, stripes and delicate linework decorate overlapping forms in vibrant shades of blue, pink, yellow, orange, red and turquoise, set against a pale yellow and blue background.
Final artwork

Artist Intro Film

Visit Abraham Koh’s Studio
Go back to Exhibition front page