Rue Liew (they/them) is a queer trans asylum seeker of Baba Nyonya/Peranakan descent from Malaysia, and a multidisciplinary artist who primarily works with ceramics.
Rue's practice is deeply rooted in their cultural heritage and explores the intersection of identity, resistance, and the complexities of self-expression. The themes of their work are shaped by a tension between their conservative upbringing and their evolving sense of self. In particular, Rue delves into subjects once deemed taboo—such as kink, rage, and desires—that were suppressed or rejected by their family or society.
Through ceramics, Rue reclaims these elements, transforming them into acts of rebellion against the teachings they were raised with. In this exhibition, Rue challenges societal norms by leaning into the uncomfortable and the forbidden, inviting viewers to reconsider their own perceptions of identity and freedom. The tactile nature of their ceramic work serves as both a personal and cultural reclamation, giving voice to desires, emotions, and histories that were once silenced. Rue’s art is a powerful reflection of their journey toward authenticity, offering a bold statement of queer, trans, and cultural resistance.