1
Intimate Apparitions
What does it mean to regard a place as ‘public’ or ‘private’? Are there types of activities that are restricted to these places, and if so, what constitutes their distinctions?
The 1 Most Famous Khairullah Bin Rahim Paintings, a Gallery Selection
Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 1 works by Khairullah Bin Rahim in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Khairullah Bin Rahim left, the most famous is Intimate Apparitions (2019), in the collection of the Singapore Art Museum, Singapore. Our catalog holds 1 works by Khairullah Bin Rahim; the gallery has kept the 1 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
born 1987, Singapore
Most works: Singapore Art Museum
Khairullah Bin Rahim's top 10 paintings: the gallery's choice
The museums that keep Khairullah Bin Rahim's originals
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Khairullah Bin Rahim | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Singapore Art Museum |
Singapore | 1 | Intimate Apparitions |
Khairullah Bin Rahim year by year: the originals that define each
2019 is the year of every dated Khairullah Bin Rahim work in this selection: here they are, ranked by fame.
Works per year
Pick a year to see its originals.
2019
Intimate Apparitions
Age 32
1 work this year
What does it mean to regard a place as ‘public’ or ‘private’? Are there types of activities that are restricted to these places, and if so, what constitutes their distinctions?
Collectors' questions about Khairullah Bin Rahim's paintings
Which work is Khairullah Bin Rahim most famous for?Reveal the answer
Intimate Apparitions (2019).
What age was Khairullah Bin Rahim when Intimate Apparitions was made?Reveal the answer
32 years old: Intimate Apparitions dates from 2019, and Khairullah Bin Rahim was born in 1987.
How many paintings did Khairullah Bin Rahim leave?Reveal the answer
Our catalog holds 1 works by Khairullah Bin Rahim.
In which museums do Khairullah Bin Rahim's masterpieces hang?Reveal the answer
Mostly in Singapore Art Museum (Singapore). The museum table above lists them all.
Khairullah Bin Rahim: life and work
Khairullah Rahim: Exploring Marginality Through Material Experimentation and Conceptual Engagement
Singapore-based artist Khairullah Rahim’s practice is rooted in a profound engagement with marginalized communities—gay men, drag queens, Indian migrant workers, and domestic workers—a concern that consistently informs his artistic explorations across mixed media installation, object-making, painting, photography, and moving image. His MFA from Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA, solidified this commitment to critical inquiry and fueled a desire to translate complex social realities into compelling visual narratives. Rahim’s work isn't merely aesthetically driven; it actively confronts issues of surveillance, control, exclusion, and resilience—themes that permeate his artistic process and resonate throughout his oeuvre.- Early Influences: Rahim’s formative years in Singapore were marked by exposure to diverse cultural traditions and a burgeoning interest in visual arts, particularly drawing. He honed his skills during his undergraduate studies at LASALLE College of the Arts, where he developed a foundational understanding of artistic techniques and conceptual frameworks.
- Formal Training & Residencies: Recognizing the importance of broadening his artistic horizons, Rahim pursued postgraduate studies at Rutgers University, delving into advanced methodologies for visual storytelling. Furthermore, he actively sought opportunities to engage with international contexts through artist residencies at IASPIS (Stockholm), Goethe-Institut (Singapore), Salzburger Kunstverein (Salzburg), Facebook (Singapore), Hubei Institute of Fine Arts (Hubei), Taipei Artist Village (Taipei), and YOUKOBO Art Residency Programme (Tokyo)—experiences that profoundly shaped his artistic vision.
Material Experimentation & Conceptual Frameworks
Rahim’s artistic practice distinguishes itself through a meticulous exploration of material experimentation, notably his sustained engagement with synthetic polymers—specifically rhinestones—which he utilizes as conceptual tools for camouflage, seduction, and deflection. This deliberate choice isn't arbitrary; it reflects a broader intellectual preoccupation with challenging conventional ideas around visibility and legibility. As Rahim articulates, “My works are colourful, but I hope viewers engage with them on a deeper level to probe into what I’m actually using these colours to say.” He actively interrogates the role of colour symbolism within Western cultural narratives—rejecting simplistic associations like white representing purity and black embodying evil—and advocates for an open posture when interpreting art.- Rhinestones as Conceptual Devices: Rahim views rhinestones not merely as decorative elements but as instruments for disrupting established visual hierarchies. Their reflective surfaces complicate notions of transparency and reveal hidden layers of meaning, mirroring the artist’s broader commitment to uncovering obscured narratives within marginalized communities.
- Decolonizing Botany & Challenging Surveillance: Rahim's research delves into strategies of survival and resourcefulness—particularly within environments under constant surveillance—drawing inspiration from botanical studies that question colonial epistemologies and patriarchal frameworks. He seeks to re-inscribe silenced voices into public consciousness, fostering a critical yet affective space where marginality is not simply endured but creatively reimagined.