Malaysian artist Red Hong Yi might be labeled a painter, but don’t expect her to actually use paint in the majority of her works. Her latest piece, designed for the Facebook headquarters in Singapore, uses unique materials to powerful effect.
The mural, which is ten meters long, is displayed on a wall in the headquarters near the cafeteria area. The organizer in charge of securing the mural asked that it be constructed from chopsticks because of its proximity to food. Red readily complied, no stranger to using innovative mediums in her art. She previously made a portrait of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei using only sunflower seeds, a nod to his recent and powerful work that included porcelain reproductions of sunflower seeds laid out in an exhibition at London’s Tate Modern museum. Red has constructed portraits of other famous figures using such mediums as coffee stains, candles, socks, and much more. She has also used fruit in some of her art, carving from the food itself to complete her pieces.
For the mural in Facebook’s Singapore headquarters, Red installed hundreds upon thousands of chopsticks on the wall, adding layers to create more depth. Once the chopsticks were hung, she came through with fire to char the wood, using those burnt pieces to contribute to a large scale piece of a well-known piece of Singapore iconography — the Merlion. This aquatic mythological being has the head of a lion but is otherwise completely suited for life in the sea, fins, tail, and all. The mural itself shows a good deal of texture and movement. The Merlion’s fins become suggestive of water, boats encased in the wavy lines. Farther back on the being, skyscrapers of Singapore rise, along with more humble dwellings of the past, all surrounded by palm trees. The mural is a celebration of Singaporean myth and culture, and the fact that it is constructed purely from chopsticks and a torch makes it even more innovative than a regularly completed mural from paint. Red proves that not every painting has to be made completely from paint, and turns the understanding of classical mediums on its head.
Art can be found in many different places, and sometimes the outcome can be completely unexpected. Start your exploration into the wonderful and sometimes weird world of art by signing up for an art class on SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a wonderful website to begin your creative journey, organizing informational articles alongside a complete listing of different art classes you can enroll in. Push your understanding of arts to the limits with classes on assemblage art, found art, and recyclable art. Teachers will work closely with you to develop lessons that touch on the parts of your chosen study that interest you the most. Meet with your teacher in a common location or in the comfort and convenience of your own home, based on your busy schedule.
To read more about the artwork, go to http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/malaysia-born-artist-creates-mural-facebook-singapore-using-15000-chopsticks.