Stranger Things

THERE ARE SOME very famous names among the 44 artists showing at Parkview Museum's new exhibition, including Zeng Fanzhi, Tony Cragg, Qiu Zhijie and Dennis Oppenheim. But as its curator Lorand Hegyi demurs: "Do not pay attention to the names to see if they're famous or not. Instead, you should immerse yourself completely in these dark disturbing worlds that they have created and allow your imaginations to flourish."

He has a point. The new show titled Intriguing Uncertainties is spread over 1,500 square metres and features over 100 drawings by various artists. The works vary tremendously in size, medium, technique and imagery, but they are bound together by the uncanny ability to unsettle. These pictures are dark and strange; some are the stuff of fears and nightmares. And as Mr Hegyi alludes to, it is sometimes the works by the lesser-known artists that deliver the deepest shocks.

There's also something to be said about the fact that these are drawings rather than paintings, sculptures and videos. Unburdened from the more laborious process of producing the latter, the artists are able to simply pick up their pencils and charcoal, and directly channel their subconscious onto a piece of paper.