All Posts by Smiley Admin

0 Singapore art dealer discovers Indonesian talent

A Singapore art dealer is one of the reasons an Indonesian artist has enjoyed recent successes, including art both sold and auctioned at impressive prices and a new show in New York City.

The Singaporean art dealer first met Indonesian artist Nyoman Masriadi in the artist’s studio, marveling at the unique nature of the artist’s work. Though the art dealer was well versed in the creative world, the pieces that Masriadi were producing were like no other paintings he had ever seen before. Seeing that there was clearly something there and perhaps an untapped market to go along with it, the art dealer started showcasing some of Masriadi’s works in a Singaporean art gallery, bringing the artist greater visibility.

But the indications that Masriadi would be a great artist weren’t there from the beginning. In fact, Masriadi ended up dropping out of art school prior to his final assessments, citing the fact that he disagreed with the teachings of some of his instructors. Despite this, he kept on creating, particularly after several upheavals in both the art and economic worlds in the Southeastern Asian region. When one art period ended in the late 1990s, a period that valued realism and classical works, another age was ushered in. This new age sought to promote artworks with a message of social justice or other theme, and it was this period in which Masriadi thrived. His works treated social justice issues on a grand and unique scale, showing images of slavery coupled with thought-provoking titles, challenging viewers to go outside of their own, personal experiences to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.

The artist became prolific, completing a large number of paintings, many of which enjoyed great success at auction. His artwork set auction records, the Singaporean art dealer saying that low estimates for the prices of the work were part of what ended up driving the higher returns. The artist himself stays humble, saying that he doesn’t quite understand what it is about his masterpieces that makes people want to buy them. Many of the artworks feature subjects with dark skin, including dialogues exchanged in speech bubbles. They might look cartoonish in some settings, but it’s the message behind the works that really resonate with collectors.

In addition to Masriadi’s show in New York City, he has also exhibit his body of work at the Singapore Art Museum.

Art is a wonderful way to explore a number of different themes and issues. You might find it difficult to express your thoughts on current events, but you should try taking an art class to see if you can express yourself in different mediums instead. Visit SGArtClass.com today to enroll in a variety of different art classes. From cartoon drawing to oil pastel art, there is sure to be an art class to interest everyone.

For more information about the Indonesian artist, go to http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/06/04/art-plus-masriadi-s-new-york-debut.html.

0 Artist to represent Singapore in renowned art event

For the first time ever, Singapore will be represented at one of the most visible art events in the world: Art Basel in Switzerland. Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen will showcase his work alongside some of the most famous names in the art world today, including famed Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.

Art Basel is now in its sixteenth year and lasts nearly an entire week. Almost 100,000 people from all over the world attends the annual event, making it a wonderful way for artists to gain visibility and boost their career. The Singaporean artist’s entry was picked to be one of nearly 90 on display. More than 200 works applied to be shown at Art Basel, meaning Ho was a part of a fierce competition to be included in the prestigious festival.

The installation that Ho will display is a video art piece called “The Nameless.” The work is based on a number of different things, including a historical secret agent from Vietnam who was revealed to have been working several different sides against one another. He was executed after that discovery, and though he operated under several different names, his true one was never known, not even by his executors. Ho’s piece explores this story by stitching together scenes from movies an actor from Hong Kong has appeared in over the last fifteen years or so. This feat of editing creates a larger examination of secrecy, identities, and namelessness. As the actor in the film clips plays different aliases, so did the secret agent in real life.

What is even more powerful about Ho’s video installation is that while the artist is from Singapore, it shows how interconnected the entire Southeastern Asian region is. Ho examines a secret agent from Vietnam who was executed in Thailand. His medium is the movies from a Hong Kong actor. These kinds of connections are part of the reason why the art scene is so exciting and dynamic in the region. Artists from all over Southeastern Asia can be inspired by the art of others in the same area, developing highly thoughtful and culturally rich works that draw from the best parts of all the regions to bring greater visibility for everyone involved.

Art doesn’t always have to be painted on a canvas and hung on a wall in a frame. Art can be anything you make it, and the best way to explore these new ideas and push the boundaries of your creative understanding is to take an art class. Visit SGArtClass.com to enroll in an art class today. Browse all kinds of different art classes to challenge your notions of traditional art, including assemblage art, recycled art, mural painting, video art, and many more classes. Professional art teachers will assist you in your artistic journey, pushing you to complete projects that you might never have thought possible.

For more on the artist’s appearance in the upcoming event, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/singapore-artist-to-show-in-art-basel-unlimited.

0 Rare works from late artist part of special exhibit

The family of a prominent late Singaporean artist are ensuring his legacy never dies with a new show of some of his rarest works. The special exhibit gathers a dozen of artist Anthony Poon’s paintings in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of his death. His family members, including his widow, say this is the best way to honor the memory of Poon — embracing and enjoying the art that was such a huge part of his life.

One of the pieces on display at this special event is a large acrylic piece on canvas. Though it lacks a title, the piece is part of the artist’s largest series exploring the different shapes of kites. In this vein, the canvas itself is a part of the medium, forming a diamond shape with wings extended. The paint on the canvas is done in mesmerizing patterns that invoke both movement and wind. It would not be hard to imagine this piece taking flight from the wall on the end of a string in a stiff breeze.

The exhibit is particularly special because Poon’s family is showcasing his work that has only been on the walls of their own house. They also worked with the gallery for more than a year to track down other Poon masterpieces in personal collections around the world. One of Poon’s family members remarked on how special it was to see those pieces of art again that he had been so passionate about. One of the pieces, located in Australia, has been so loved and honored that it still looks new. The exhibit and planning has been a wonderful way for the family to remember Poon, examining the artworks in a nostalgic manner.

Poon himself was a highly visible artist, and many of his works still exist in Singapore today. He has notable statues located in a handful of public places around the nation. Perhaps one of his best known and loved works was his Wave series, in which he created the illusion of movement and 3-D sculpture on a 2-D canvas, tricking the eye and igniting the imagination. He also stretched canvas on curved metal sculptures to continue his work on this series.

The exhibit will be held in conjunction with a talk and a film showing on the artist. Organizers and Poon’s family alike say they hope the event will help visitors realize the importance Poon has in Singapore’s artistic history.

Take part in Singapore’s art scene today by signing up to take an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a website that offers a convenient way to browse and select all kinds of art classes. From pointillism art classes to contemporary art classes, you can explore every kind of artistic form of expression that you can think of. Even if you have limited artistic abilities, expert teachers will be able to lead you through lessons you can help determine.

To read more about the special exhibit, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/artist-poons-works-on-display.

0 First Australian art gallery opens in Singapore

Two artistic Australian women have forged new artistic horizons by opening the first permanent Australian art gallery throughout the entire Asian continent — in Singapore.

The pair are excited about the upcoming grand opening of their gallery, called Sullivan + Strumpf Singapore, after their two last names, this month. The gallery will kick off its Singapore presence with a show called “Arrival,” which will be filled by Australian artists’ works. Beyond the initial opening show, the founders have big plans for their gallery, which has upcoming exhibits from various well known and award winning artists. This new gallery is launching with a bang, but it will be sure not to fizzle away anytime soon.

The pair first met working for the same art dealership in Australia. They struck up a friendship that included a working education on art, galleries, selling opportunities, and more. They talked about what it would take for them to have a successful gallery, and knew that Singapore would be a viable option for them, understanding the recent boom of the country’s art scene.

They became acquainted with the art scene in Singapore by regularly attending Art Stage Singapore, a highly visible art fair in the country. Though they visited for years in conjunction with the event, they never took the plunge by buying gallery space until the perfect location became available. They leapt at the chance to take part in the exciting scene, and haven’t looked back since.

Their gallery is futuristic, white, and new. This is a departure from a former gallery they had in Australia, a sprawling, two-story warehouse they had converted to suit their artistic needs. They say they feel comfortable in the new space, saying it is the perfect size and style for what they have in mind for the future.

Australians themselves have been supportive of the effort to make a mark on the Asian art scene, the pair reports. Many Australians actually live in Singapore, so the gallery will be a great way for them to keep in touch with their homes through an artistic presence. It will also be a fantastic way to show the Asian art market just what Australian artists have to contribute.

If you’ve always been interested in art from visiting festivals, galleries, or other creative events, you should consider enrolling in an art class. Visit SGArtClass.com today to start exploring everything that art has to offer you. Practicing art in na education setting can bring unexpected benefits, such as creative problem solving skills, relaxation, and stress relief. Whether you’re more interested in 3-D works or traditional painting, there is sure to be an art class to suit your interests. Expert art teachers are available to teach you individually or as a part of a larger group setting — whichever you prefer — and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before in your life.

To read more about the Australian art gallery, go to http://www.vogue.com.au/vogue+living/arts/meet+the+women+behind+the+first+australian+gallery+in+singapore,39319.

0 Opera Gallery Singapore hosts contemporary Italian art exhibit

A trio of Italian artists have united to present their abstract takes on the world as a part of a contemporary art exhibit at Opera Gallery Singapore. A sculptor, painter, and mixed media artist will have works on display at the venue.

All three of the artists are showcasing works that draw inspiration from Italy or aspects of their childhood, experiencing creativity and artistic growth in the place where they grew up.

The mixed media artist said that he has always been fascinated by marble statues in his formative years. Of particular interest are draped fabrics and clothing fellow artists worked tediously to carve to fall naturally on a hard surface. His sculptures on display are an homage to that marble drapery, using fabric on canvas to create billowing, three-dimensional works. He also often inserts lead sheeting beneath that fabric, creating immovable objects below the more flexible fabrics. One of the pieces that will be a part of the Opera Gallery Singapore show is a richly textural saffron-colored piece that puffs out from the canvas, begging to be touched.

The sculptor in the exhibit has embraced an even more ancient form of creativity. He has formed his sculptures using the famed “lost wax” technique. In this method of sculpture, the artist creates a mold using wax. Hot, liquid metal is poured into the mold, and the wax is discarded, revealing the metal sculpture within. Though this is an ancient art form, the appearance of the artist’s sculptures are contemporary, exploring the intersection of lines and shapes. One such piece that will be on display in the exhibit is a graceful exploration of curves. Dark, black ribbon-like shapes surround a reflective sphere in the center of the sculpture, celebrating movement and dance.

The painter’s training in geology and his love of Italian caves influenced his works heavily. After slathering thick paint on his canvases, he scratches down to reveal the layers underneath, like exploring history and sediment in real life rock layers. The result is a multi-layered experience on canvas, showing the depth of his work and breadth of understanding that art can exist across multiple genres. One of these pieces that will be shown at Opera Gallery Singapore is a deep blue composition that would look more at home in a lab beneath a microscope. The scratches become strata, textural and revelatory all at once.

There are so many ways to celebrate and explore art, and they all can start with a simple trip to SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a great way to begin your creative journey — whether it’s with informational articles or a comprehensive listing of art classes you can take. From mixed media art to 3-D art, there is surely a class for every artistic interest. You’ll be able to work closely with an expert teacher to develop projects that interest you.

To read more about the Opera Gallery Singapore exhibit, go to http://sea.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1366205/italian-contemporary-art-at-opera-gallery-singapore.

0 Singaporean artist shines in commission from retailer Hermes

Hermes is a luxury retailer best known for its highly sought after scarves and bags. With art merging with high fashion on a regular basis for Hermes, it makes sense for the company to commission an art installation as a part of an inaugural exhibition for its newly remolded retail space in Singapore.

Singaporean artist Dawn Ng was the perfect choice for the commission. She created a thoughtful, cerebral, immersive, and beautiful installation for visitors to get lost in. The artwork itself seems straight forward — large, monochromatic panels positioned in different ways throughout the gallery — but much thought went into the planning and execution of the exhibit. First, Ng tested out and selected nearly a dozen different colors that would work together as a part of the installation. No one color could overwhelm the others, and they all had to blend together cohesively even though they were different shades and hues. Once the high-gloss paint was rolled onto the panels, Ng and her team had to transport them to the art space and adapt to unforeseen challenges — like some portions of the ceiling being lower than what was expected. One might say that the real work of the exhibit started once the art was in the gallery, which could be true for most installations. Ng worked hard to shape the gallery into a world apart, making people forget why they were there, if only for a few fleeting moments. The effect of the positioning of the canvases, as well as the lighting and the mirrored edges of the panels, allows viewers to become lost within the space, drifting around, relaxed and completely at ease in the installation.

The end result of the installation is almost that of a maze, winding pathways for visitors to disappear into, enchanted by the play on color, shape, and visualization. Ng said the gentleness of the exhibit was important to her message overall: that, in today’s world, so full of brightness and distraction, we should take care of ourselves more often by submerging into relaxing atmospheres. The art installation commissioned by Hermes is the perfect place to do that, getting away from the bustle of the city with all its shopping and work demands, if only for a little while.

Installation art is an exciting artistic genre that allows for an artist to explore art in the context of a specific space. Many artists get a chance to let their creativity flow within a room or gallery. What is distinctive about installation art is that it can never be replicated from place to place. It is unique to each physical location of the exhibit. Installation art is just one of many exciting art genres that you can explore by signing up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. Even if you’ve never taken an art class before, a teacher will help you explore and embrace your specific creative goals.

To read more about the Hermes commission, go to http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/disappearing-into-a-rainbow.

0 Singapore Christian art exhibit covers new ground

One might not expect to see ancient Christian iconography and art coming from predominantly non-Christian countries, but that’s just part of the charm and surprise coming from a brand new exhibit at Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum. The show has devoted itself to displaying a wide variety of stunning examples of Christian art across hundreds of years in Asia — whether the artists completing the pieces in question were Christian or not.

While many of the pieces on display in this exhibition reflect Christian beliefs and influences, the majority of the artists and cultures contributing to the artworks did not hold Christian beliefs. This reflects the culture of Asian art, itself, and how practitioners of it absorbed influences so readily. One can even say that Asian art is important in how it examines and highlights different belief systems throughout the ages. Though artists and the countries they’re from didn’t necessarily share Christian beliefs and ideas with those practitioners of the religion, they experimented with the images and works in their own art, reshaping an understanding of the belief system. In that vein, one organizer of this exhibit describes it as a celebration of the genius that can emerge from the cross-pollination of one culture to another. The works themselves are exquisite shows of craftsmanship, reflecting the fact that art doesn’t have to belong wholly to one culture or another to be valuable and beautiful.

One of the pieces, a casket thought to contain relics of a Christian saint, was constructed in India. Richly inlaid with cutouts and tiny details, the only links it has to Christianity is its contents and the shape of the covering — angles reflective of architecture on the roofs of Christian places of worship.

Another piece, crafted in Sri Lanka, shows the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. Crafted entirely in ivory, the visible texture looking more like wood, rosy and veined, it is the largest such statue of its kind. It contains painstaking detail, the Virgin’s robes flowing in pleats around her, a crown atop her head, and Jesus depicted as a tiny baby, upright and holding Christian iconography. The Virgin is perched on a tall pedestal, reflecting the importance of her status.

A metal candlestick made in Syria is another interesting piece in this collection. Lovingly etched into the metal are Christian scenes mixed with Islamic art, which depict zodiac signs and animals. This is particularly reflective of two cultures coming together to create beautiful art.

Art is a reflection of culture, and there’s no better way to learn than to take an art class. Visit SGArtClass.com today to browse an extensive list of art classes you can enroll in. From sculpture to oil painting, there is sure to be a class that will interest you — and a professional teacher to help you complete projects you’re most passionate about.

To read more about the exhibit on Christian Asian art, go to http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/singapore-museums-christianity-in-asia-exhibition-a-first-of-its-kind.

0 Designer shapes often-disturbing works with clay, other mediums

Art doesn’t always have to be pretty, and graphic designer Lim Qi Quan is very aware that not very many people would be eager to purchase her art and have it on display in their homes or workplaces. However, that doesn’t mean that her art is any less important to Singapore as a whole.

Lim uses clay, paper, resin, and paint to experiment and develop highly realistic sculptures of everything to animals and fairies to fetuses and body parts. It was only through practice, instruction, and much patience that she finally developed a way to make her works as true to life as possible — even though some might find some of her masterpieces to be downright disturbing.

In one work, she has hollowed out the pages of a book, left it open, and crammed the resulting cavity with tiny fairies with broken, bloodied wings. At first glance, it appears that the group has alighted their and snuggled together to sleep, but on closer scrutiny, it becomes apparent that some arms and legs don’t have owners, many of the wings are discolored and tinged with blood, and the top head upon the heap of bodies is severed, the skin torn and bloody at the neck.

Lim paints her works with makeup from her own compact to ensure they are as real as possible. Obsessive about even the most minute details in her works, her sculptures and other various projects can take anywhere from a day to a week to fully complete. She says she likes to use her sculptures to explore the various realities present in fantasy, tall tales, and science fiction. Interestingly enough, though her work stems from fiction, Lim says that people who view her sculptures relate to themes of mortality present within them — likely helped by the hyper realistic art they’re looking at.

Lim is a freelance graphic designer, and tries to set aside at least one day per week to work on her sculptures. Though she loved playing with clay as a child, it wasn’t until she had graduated from art school that she revisited her previous passion. As a part of an art grant program, Lim attended classes on sculpting with clay, which jumpstarted her interest and led to her various sculptures. She said she was encouraged to pursue a course of study that she didn’t have time to do during school.

Whether you’re consumed by the rigors of study or work, think about taking an art class to uncover a hidden passion or hobby that might bring you joy. Visit SGArtClass.com today in order to see a long list of all the various classes you can enroll in. If you’ve always been attracted to 3-D art, take a class on sculpture or assemblage art. If you lean more toward technology, try digital art, video art, or other similar classes. You might just surprise yourself with how much fun you have in your art class.

To read more about Lim Qi Quan’s sculptures and art practices, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/graphic-designer-makes-morbidly-realistic-sculptures-from-clay.

0 A detailed look inside Singapore exhibit of Chinese ink paintings

The NUS Museum in Singapore currently has a wealth of Chinese ink paintings on display created by artists from both Singapore and around the rest of the Southeastern Asian region. As a part of a partnership with a Singaporean news organization, the NUS Museum let a writer and photographer document and describe a number of these beautiful and elegant masterpieces, giving potential visitors a taste of what the exhibit has to offer. For many more examples of these timeless artworks, visit the exhibit at the NUS Museum before it moves on.

The first piece, presenting a combination of bilingual calligraphy and ink painting, is an interesting and moving modern take on an ancient art form. The piece examines a Lord Byron poem and offers a contemporary interpretation, using wild splotches of lavender and magenta ink over, around, and between the depiction of the poem itself. The ink appears to be petals or blossoms, the poem acting as words one might part these flowering branches in order to study more closely. Overall, the artwork is a celebration of both the artist’s worldwide travels and the current intersection of many different cultures in Singapore itself.

A late, well-renowned Singaporean monk and artist has a long, spare, and graceful piece on display that translates a Chinese poem and reshapes it to better suit Singapore. Created with gorgeous, sweeping characters, the artist chose to reframe the ending of the poem to reflect the rustling of banana tree leaves — a sound and image that is well known to residents in Singapore. The artist was able to adapt the artwork for a new audience.

Another piece strays from the traditional Chinese ink painting subjects of bamboo and mountains, instead focusing on a more topical theme — workers selling produce. In the painting, a woman bends over her collection of fruit, reaching into a basket as she waits to sell what she has grown and harvested. This is another way this artistic genre has reached into Singapore, depicting a working life and tropical subjects.

Another lush ink painting also embraces the tropical nature of Singapore and the Southeastern Asian region by substituting tropical fruits for traditional depictions of bamboo and other high-elevation crops. The result is a traditional-style painting that newly examines the delicious offerings of fruit groves and crops in a different Asian region.

A contemporary landscape turns the idea of the precision and simplicity of ink painting on its head, blending inks and offering up moody textures and hazes and dots of a copse of trees, or perhaps a gorge, buildings in the distance as evening falls.

One of the most special parts of art is that any artist may use an existing art form in whatever way they want. Sign up for a class today on Chinese ink painting via SGArtClass.com to see all the ways you can reshape the practice and offer commentary on your own life and experiences.

To see the pieces and read more about the exhibit, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/hour-at-the-museum-44.

0 Artist makes innovative work for Facebook’s Singapore headquarters

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.