Dana Goh Verified listing

Dana Goh (b. 2001, Singapore) is a multidisciplinary artist, based in London and Singapore. She endeavours to codify 'sweetness'—taste, character, or appearance—through a characteristic saccharine and cute aesthetic that simultaneously attracts and conceals deeper emotions.
In her practice, Goh employs pastel colours to evoke the soft, subtle power of the cute—a gentle yet commanding influence. These colours, associated with child-like innocence and gentility, serve as a visual metaphor for the duality Goh seeks to express: the tender yet potent force that 'sweetness' can exert, masking a deeper narrative. Goh's practice is inspired by simulation/management games and magic anime. These sources offer an escape from reality, with whimsical worlds filled with cute, magical creatures and fantastical elements. Games like Tamagotchi and Animal Crossing immerse players in environments where they nurture virtual pets or build idyllic communities, reflecting a deeper yearning for control, comfort, and an idealized version of care. In anime, Goh draws inspiration from the enchanting ‘Kira kira’ (something sparkling and glittering). This escapism balances innocence and fantasy, resonating with Goh's exploration of sweetness and its underlying complexities.

Central to her exploration is depicting femininity through the duality of a deliberate facade to subdue issues. Goh scrutinizes the distortion of perceptions of personal desires, symbolizing the allure and deception associated with sweetness, cuteness, kindness, and care. Her works delve into the paradoxical nature of these concepts, revealing the complexity and ‘under-the-skin’ infiltration beneath what is traditionally perceived as 'sweet' or 'cute.'