For most people in the world, commuting is simply a fact of life. A majority of us aren’t lucky enough to work from home, or to live within walking distance of our places of employment. Many people must endure long drives or rides via public transportation from home to the office. Passing the time is always necessary. While some might use the extra half-hour or hour in their day to catch up on a little sleep, others might go ahead and start their workday, chatting on the phone or replying to emails. Some people might bring books, newspapers, or magazines to read, while others prefer to get their digital fix by surfing the web or checking their social media accounts on their smartphones.
Then, there’s Erwin Lian.
Lian has been spending his commutes sketching the scenes around him. The college adjunct lecturer takes out a notebook and pen as soon as he gets on his trains, buses, and other formats of public transportation and begins to note the details of the faces all around him. He finds a great deal of creativity waiting for him on board wherever he finds himself a passenger. Though the scenes might look mundane upon first glance, it’s upon studying the quick character sketches that details, such as the rumples in clothes, shading, and expressions on faces, become apparent.
Lian began a Facebook group for people who create art during their various daily commutes once he learned that some of his other artistic friends were finding the same kind of inspiration he was enjoying. Now, the group has nearly 200 members. What’s even more special is that Singapore transit organizations are using a selection of the sketches to help decorate bus switch stations and train stops. All of the artists involved in the public art projects express delight that their sketches found their way back to the places where they were originally created. And transit groups have been getting a wealth of positive feedback from the public, who enjoy seeing such scenes. They tend to bring optimism to what could normally be a dreary practice — being shuttled back and forth twice a day between work and home. It was thanks to the creative minds of casual artists and people interested in art to see the beauty within the mundanity.
Find the art in your own life by signing up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a comprehensive website offering everything from art classes to discounted art supplies to informative articles on various genres of art. Whether you’re interested in figure drawing, oil painting, or fashion art, there is an art class and an expert art teacher waiting to help you begin your creative journey. Teachers will help work around your busy schedule to find the time and place that’s right for you in your new creative practice.
To read more about Erwin Lian’s commuter art, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/rail-life-art.