Matthew Goh

for the flowers I couldn’t throw away 04052025

the perfect weather

In Praise of (Tropical) Shadows In Praise of (Tropical) Shadows reinterprets the sentiments expressed in Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows within a tropical context. In his original work, Tanizaki reflects on how the soft glow of paper lanterns, the patina of old lacquerware, and the dark interiors of tea houses evoke a quiet sense of tranquility. He emphasizes the importance of nuance, the beauty of the understated, and the acceptance of imperfection—qualities now closely associated with Japanese aesthetics. As an extension of the discourse, this journal questions what a tropical aesthetic might entail. It begins by examining our unconcious responses to the climate, gradually branching into the subtleties of tropical living through visual observations—primarily images and drawings—capturing fleeting moments and impressions. In the tropical environment, shadows emerge as refuge for the “climate oppressed”, a theme that recurs throughout the project. Rather than relying heavily on text, this project presents itself as a palette upon which a tropical aesthetic can be imagined and constructed. By @matteuw 148mmWx 210mmH 88pp Hand-Stitched Exposed Binding Edition of 50

A Sea Nomad’s Time A Sea Nomad’s Time explores how an alternate notion of time can reshape the perception of a journey to Semporna. Initially presented as a chronological account of the trip, undertaken from December 10th to 18th, 2023, the narrative gradually shifts toward a sea nomad’s sense of time, unfolding into a non-linear recount that disrupts the book’s structure. This shift invites readers to embrace the multiplicity of spaces across time. The journal weaves together immediate impressions with later reflections, enriched by encounters with sea nomads, literature, history, and the thoughts of others. Drawings, collages, and photos of models are interspersed throughout, offering glimpses of how a sea nomad might perceive space. By @matteuw 148mmWx 210mmH 84pp Hand-Stitched Exposed Binding Edition of 50

semporna cont.

semporna cont.

semporna, last year. didn’t expect to invest so much of my time on this journey… but what started as a research project, became the site of my thesis.

26.4.24 : Masters Thesis Critique "In Search of Alternate Time" could considering time change the way we conceive architecture? So thankful to everyone who has been with me on this journey. Through my doubts and setbacks, really grateful for the outcome.