Emte's Supermarket-Inspired Solo Show
In his solo exhibition titled EVERYTHING MUST GO, illustrator Mohammad Taufiq, widely known as Emte, has merged the concept of a supermarket with art. Held at Rachel Gallery until September 22, the exhibition showcases works that reflect everyday life and explore the diverse mediums Emte has experimented with throughout his artistic journey. In an interview with Grafis Masa Kini, Emte shared the ideas and stories behind EVERYTHING MUST GO.
This solo show doesn't stem from a singular theme, unlike the group exhibitions he has previously participated in. Instead, it is a collection of ideas and conversations with the people around him. With various artistic styles and mediums that he has explored over the years, Emte felt this exhibition was the perfect opportunity to merge his creative practices. One of the most intriguing elements of EVERYTHING MUST GO is its layout, resembling a supermarket. After nine years without a solo show, this exhibition gave Emte the chance to "play" freely with all aspects of the presentation. "For this exhibition, I thought, I’m used to working with different styles and mediums; I’ve never confined myself to one specific style. I enjoy working in black-and-white, and in color; I like small sizes, big sizes; on paper, on canvas. So, I thought, what format could accommodate all of that?" said Emte. Like a supermarket, the exhibition offers and sells Emte’s exploratory artworks, featuring a visual narrative and space that can be accessed by anyone. “It’s also somewhat a critique of the exclusive atmosphere of art exhibitions, where if you want to know the price of an artwork, you have to ask, and it feels intimidating—like, who are we to ask? I wanted to create a more relaxed exhibition atmosphere,” Emte explained.
By presenting his work in a supermarket-like setting, Emte conveys that art should be accessible to everyone, much like everyday products available for purchase. As the art and design worlds become increasingly open, Emte observes that alternative spaces are now providing opportunities for exhibitions. Many illustrators are showcasing their works not only in commercial galleries or museums but also in alternative venues and even coffee shops. More illustrators are now collaborating with brands commonly found in supermarkets. “You could say that supermarkets today are like galleries too, selling many products that collaborate with artists. These collaborations don’t lower the ‘status’ of the artwork but instead allow people to enjoy affordable and accessible art. That’s the kind of experience I want to bring to this exhibition,” said Emte. Rachel Gallery also gave Emte complete freedom to respond to the space for his solo show.
Artistically, Emte brings his work closer to the audience by infusing humor into many of his illustrations. As always, Emte’s visual narratives are born from his observations of life around him and his own everyday experiences. "Most of the works I make are based on references from photos I collect during my hunts—like selfie-themed pieces, where I gathered screenshots of friends' selfies from Instagram and reinterpreted them in my drawings. So, when they visit and see the works, they might not even realize it," Emte said with a chuckle.
When it comes to the medium, Emte continues to push the boundaries of his creativity. One of the mediums he is known for exploring is watercolor, which offers flexibility and unpredictable results. "I love watercolor not just because it's watercolor, but because the results are so unpredictable, creating gradients that are incredibly flexible," he explained. Surprisingly, he also discovered that liquid acrylics produce similar effects to watercolor, especially when applied to canvas. This exploration shows that in his practice, Emte focuses on the outcomes that a medium can produce, rather than relying on one particular material.
EVERYTHING MUST GO captures Emte’s ideas as an illustrator, ideas that haven’t always been fully expressed in the group exhibitions he’s participated in. Moreover, this exhibition marks a significant milestone in Emte's artistic journey. With 300 works on display, most of them small in size to fit the supermarket theme, Emte emphasizes that there is no right or wrong in creating art—a message he hopes to convey to visitors, reinforcing the idea that art is a highly open form of expression. Each of Emte's works in this exhibition invites us to see the every day from a fresh perspective—light yet meaningful. Through his diverse medium exploration and the fun supermarket concept, Emte successfully creates a warm and welcoming experience for anyone who visits.
