Category Archives for "Blog"

0 Singaporean artist to showcase batik work in exhibit

A museum exhibit of batik paintings will be on display in Singapore through the end of the year, and the colorful work is full of movement, life, and feeling. It shouldn’t be missed.

The artist himself likely has a piece that Singaporean commuters have walked by on a daily basis but failed to recognize — a giant glass print of batik panels at a transit stop. The original batik masterpiece that inspired this recreation will be on display for the first time as a part of the exhibit. The exhibit itself is a retrospective on classic and new works from Sarkasi Said, who is a talented and prolific batik artist.

Batik art is in the artist’s blood. His grandmother sold batik masterpieces herself, but the artist didn’t begin creating art in the batik style until he saw an Italian artist displaying batik work in a Singaporean show. Outraged that a foreigner was succeeding in a medium that was typical to Southeast Asia — and his family’s history and culture — Said began dabbling in batik himself.

He stuck with batik and tended toward the abstract through the years. Said explained that it was because when a person grows as an artist, they start with faithful, realistic reproductions of what they see. Many artists use still life as a way to hone their skills and develop new techniques over time. Said described his abstract work as still reproducing the still life, but adding in how he feels about the subject.

Said takes a good deal of inspiration in his batik paintings from nature. With colorful swatches of hues and shades and wild movement, one can envision wind blowing through foliage, or rivers and streams winding through flower-dotted grasses. Said himself grew up in the country on a classic kampung. And while his parents separated when he was young, the artist continued to derive pleasure and comfort in nature. He used to take naps in one of Singapore’s prominent parks, feeling like he was one with nature.

The family tradition of batik painting continues with one of Said’s sons. Said himself made a living from selling his batik paintings on the side of his road, compelling his family to help him. If he didn’t sell any paintings, they didn’t have money for food or other things they needed to survive. That’s why everyone pitched in. Said is happy that his son has found a career in batik painting, but emphasizes the importance on having a personal connection to the art, and forging a unique creative journey rather than following in the footsteps of someone else.

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To read more about the artist’s background and batik artworks, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/batik-artist-sarkasi-said-is-inspired-by-nature.

0 Singapore art critic talks censorship in the art world

Singapore often bears the stereotype of being rigidly controlled. But in a candid interview, a prominent art critic talked everything from censorship in the art world to the notion of Singapore as his home, even as he lived in other places around the world.

At the foremost of many artists’ and residents’ mind is censorship in Singapore’s growing art world. While the government and artists in the nation have done much to grow the creative world in Singapore, there is always the notion that, especially with government-funded festivals and projects, there is, to some degree, a certain control the government has over those projects. If the government disapproved of an art piece based on the content or the artists themselves, they could always jettison the project by withholding funding. In this way, the message of the art itself could be snuffed out if it is limited from the very beginning.

However, the art critic broached the idea that if artists supported themselves monetarily without relying on the government, they could pretty much create whatever they wanted. He viewed censorship and control over Singapore’s art world as casual rather than stringent. In fact, a group of artists, in meeting with Singaporean government officials about censorship in the art world, recommended that art content be regulated instead of censored with a rating system not unlike those in movie theaters. If an art exhibit has nudity, foul language, or other subject matter that might be deemed offensive or inappropriate to certain age groups, the exhibit would simply come with an age limit. The art critic said that while many fear censorship in Singapore’s creative world, the reality is that certain exhibits and subject matter might be more likely to be restricted than others. In that sense, the standards for censorship would be casual.

The art critic went on to speak, at length, about the idea of Singapore as his home. While he lived in Singapore for many years, he also spent formative years living abroad. His world views are different from someone who has spent their entire life living in Singapore, and he has received some pushback for his views about economic practices and cultures within the country. However, the art critic has great love for the place he calls home. The fact that he remains in Singapore to critique all of the moving cogs in the growing art world there proves that he cares enough about it to want to change it for the better.

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To read more about the art critic’s view on censorship in the art world and more, go to https://hyperallergic.com/392562/censorship-is-always-arbitrary-an-interview-with-an-art-critic-in-singapore/.

0 Gillman Barracks marks fifth birthday with art event

Gillman Barracks is set to celebrate its fifth birthday in style with a special edition of its popular event, Art After Dark, which will be held toward the end of September. Art After Dark is usually held twice every year, and it is free to attend. The last incarnation of the program was held at the beginning of the year as a part of the renowned Singapore Art Week.

For the Art After Dark birthday edition, visitors will be treated to access to many of the galleries throughout Gillman Barracks, which has established itself as a hub for contemporary art. Some of the highlights of the event will include new collections at a gallery featuring an artist from India, as well as a new exhibit highlighting the work of an artist from Indonesia. Both of these shows will be act as the premiere for the collections. Visitors should also look forward to special exhibits of work from private collections. Attending Art After Dark at Gillman Barracks could very well be the only chance people get to view the paintings, which generally do not go on exhibit. Artists will also be on hand to answer questions about their work and speak about their motivations while creating the exhibits on display. The celebration will also be a chance to pick up a special printing of a newsletter that Gillman Barracks produces twice every month. There will be opportunities to subscribe to the newsletter. This edition, produced specifically for the birthday celebration, will include unique articles about contemporary art and its future in the Singapore art scene.

Art won’t be the only thing to enjoy at the event. People who go can expect to eat a delicious selection of food by popular eateries that will be on hand for the birthday celebration. There will also be live musical performances throughout the night.

Art is all around us, and that is reason enough to celebrate. Bring more art into your life by visiting SGArtClass.com. Learn about different art genres, browse deeply discounted art supplies for your next project, or scroll through dozens of classes on different art subjects at SGArtClass.com. If you’ve always dreamed about completing an art project or even just getting your feet wet in the creative world, there’s no time like the present to sign up for an art class. From watercolor painting to pastel drawing, caricature drawing to portrait painting, fashion design to photography and everything in between, there is sure to be a class that will pique your creativity. Expert art teachers experienced in teaching students of all ages and abilities will be on hand to design curriculum tailored to your interests and needs. Art has a funny way of sticking with you. Don’t be surprised if you notice things like a lowered stress level and a boost in creative problem solving skills following your classes.

To read more about the art crawl at Gillman Barracks, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/art-crawl-for-gillman-barracks-5th-birthday.

0 Family sues Singapore gallery over imitation paintings

Officials at a gallery based in Singapore are under fire from son and father art collectors who say they were lied to over the veracity of paintings by Indonesian artists. The trial over the counterfeit paintings is ongoing, and the father and son, who are Malaysian, are suing the Singaporean gallery. The father is also listed on the lawsuit in spite of the son being the one who purchased the paintings.

The son first crossed paths with the gallery during an art fair, where he said gallery owners purported to have paintings from well-known Indonesian artists on display. The son says the gallery owners told him that the paintings would increase in value over time, and he purchased them with the understanding that they were what he was told they were.

In fact, the son continued to have a relationship with the Singaporean gallery over the next few years. The gallery owners sent pictures of new art they had acquired to the son, and he kept purchasing art pieces as investments. The son himself was a beginning art collector who lacked experience in purchasing pieces. All in all, more than $700,000 was spent in purchasing the art. Gallery owners assured the son that the pieces were worth, in total, nearly $3 million.

Later, when the son decided he wanted to sell some of the paintings, the gallery owners said they could turn a profit on a couple of them, but advised him to hold on to at least one of the paintings they had sold him. They explained that it was sure to grow in value over the next few years.

However, when the paintings were eventually appraised, art experts discovered that the son had been duped. The paintings that had been promised to be worth so much money were actually worth less than $10,000 in total — a far cry from the value originally cited. The paintings weren’t the originals. They were counterfeit, meaning that they weren’t worth very much at all. Experts say the fact that the gallery owners didn’t have corresponding paperwork proving that the paintings were originals should have been a key indication that the paintings weren’t what they seemed, but it is apparent that the son did not know what to look for in purchasing the paintings and verifying their veracity.

Learn more about art by enrolling in an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a website that offers everything from discounted art supplies to informative articles and a wealth of art classes. Whether you’re interested in 3-D sculpture, acrylic painting, comic drawing, or another creative genre, there is sure to be a class to pique your interest. It doesn’t matter if you’re already an accomplished artist or if you’re just a beginner. Teachers have experience leading students of all ages and abilities. Visit SGArtClass.com today.

To read more about the case, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/dad-and-son-sue-art-gallery-for-fraud-negligence.

0 Three creatives to watch at celebration of Indonesia, Singaporean art

An Indonesian art exhibit will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations with Singapore, displaying masterpieces by artists from both countries. The show, which will be on display through the middle of October, showcases eight creative minds between the two nations. By focusing on the individuals and their art, one diplomat said the show reflected the importance of personal relationships in diplomatic efforts. The reason Singapore and Indonesia are close are because of these relationships, including the free exchange of information and cultural understanding. For example, three of the Indonesian artists featured in the show actually studied art and honed their aesthetic styles in Singapore.

The first of the artists is the youngest painter on display. Just in his mid-20s, the artist said that he never sketched out his paintings before completing them, preferring the organic feeling of creating on the fly, paint on his paintbrush. One of his most notable works on display as a part of the celebration is a painting composed of many different canvases spliced together and arranged to show a self-portrait. The artist looks at the viewer with blank, empty eyes, wearing an apron covered with paint stains. Behind the artist are hard questions, often philosophical and doubtful, scrawled in white over a dark blue background.

Another artist’s work highlights his experience as a graphic designer. The piece in question is heavily influenced by the 1960s, Japan, and pop culture. A pale woman with a bright red bindi gazes into the distance, her face reflected in the mirror in front of her. The entire work features bright, almost neon colors. The pinks and vivid warm colors move the viewer to recall psychedelic culture. Other textures present in the work, like an intricately dotted floor, recall previous pop artists and artworks.

The third featured artist works in a genre that straddles traditional 2-D art and contemporary 3-D assemblage art. The work in question is a large wooden board functioning as the canvas. A circular piece toward the top of the wood has been removed, displaying the thickness of the wood. But instead of paint and figures as the subject of the artwork, the artist has layered strips of paper, creating a richly colored and textured visual display. The end result is an aesthetically pleasing abstract work that would look at home when paired with any other decor in a house.

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To read more about the artists and the event, go to http://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2016/12/01/jakarta-exhibition-highlights-local-innovative-artwork-products.html.

0 Singapore to create festival centered on art films

National Gallery Singapore has a brand new initiative that will focus on art films. The project will culminate in a month long film festival that focuses on movies and visual projects about art. The festival is a reorganization of an existing program that examined art films every month. Organizers at National Gallery Singapore said they hoped the longer annual festival would help host an extended conversation about art in film.

The festival, which will be held throughout the month of October, has an exciting lineup of art films on the docket. One of them will feature renowned actress Cate Blanchett in an experimental role, reciting pieces created by the views of different visionary artists. Another movie centers around performance artist Marina Abramovic and her trip to Brazil. Other films focus on dance troupes from around the world.

Singaporean artists and filmmakers will also be taking a turn in the spotlight. One of the films to be featured during the festival is a documentary about a Singaporean photographer created by a Singaporean filmmaker. Another Singaporean filmmaker will feature his short film about his grandmother’s funeral. The festival will be re showing a film commissioned by National Gallery Singapore about the museum’s collection of art. The film was originally shown last year.

One National Gallery Singapore official is particularly looking forward to a movie made about another nationally backed museum in the Netherlands. As the museum there is also funded by the government, like National Gallery Singapore, there are a lot of interesting comparisons to be made. In one segment of the film, the filmmaker documents disagreements among museum officials on what to display in the exhibit space and how to arrange it. Discussions like this are common among museum officials, and sheds a lot of light on how much work and thought go toward creating and curating successful museums.

There will be a number of films from around the world featured at the film festival. They will take on everything from censorship in film in Indonesia, propaganda art in North Korea, artists who paint counterfeit masterpieces in China, and much more. Visitors to the festival should be prepared to learn and see a lot, as each film offers a window to another world, culture, belief, or practice.

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To learn more about the creation of the new art film festival, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/lifestyle/national-gallery-singapore-international-film-festival-art-9211390.

0 Ubiquitous Singapore railings the focus of art show

A Singaporean artist has brought something that people walk by every day without much thought — green painted metal railings — into the art world by constructing art pieces and creative installations with the green railings. The exhibit goes to show that anything can be art, given the right mindset.

The artist is choosing to reinterpret the meanings of the railings with his display. He remarked on the control the railings exert, keeping pedestrians from crossing the street at certain points and warding them away from ditches where before, people would choose their own paths. The artist said that the railings in his artwork examine the idea of the restriction, flow, and redirection of ideas and beliefs. Are the green railings throughout Singapore responsible for redirecting the same ideas in broader culture? It is left up to the viewer to decide.

There are much more than green railings set up in the gallery space for this show. The artist has used the railings, made specially for him by the same company that produces the railings for Singapore itself, as framing materials for other art pieces, combining them in new and unexpected ways. He has also painted others in different colors, getting away from the classic green most of these railings appear as when used for their original intent in Singapore.

The railing functions as 3-D, immersive sculpture when it’s used simply as installation work. Viewers who might be used to seeing the green railing when out and about in Singapore will be challenged when viewing this display to rethink their prior notions about the structures. It is likely they will never view the railings in the same way again. When the railing is used as framing material or modified in other ways, like being decorated in yarn as commentary on a recent yarn bombing incident in Singapore — where participants knitted and crocheted yarn over existing works, it comes off as super modern, industrial artwork. There is everything from commentary on current events to poetry to activism present in this unique exhibit. The artwork is sure to inspire people to think outside of the box when it comes to following directions and walking along the path that has been set out before them.

Forge your own path forward by signing up for an art class today. Visit SGArtClass.com to get started on your creative journey. SGArtClass.com compiles everything from informative art articles to art classes you can easily enroll in. Connect with expert teachers in a genre that interests you. Get feedback on your existing artwork and learn new techniques to take your masterpieces to the next level. Try a brand new art genre you’ve never experienced before, like oil painting or assemblage art, as a fun way to socialize, relax, and learn skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

To read more about the art show that features Singapore’s ubiquitous green rails, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/lifestyle/streets-art-gallery-singapore-familiar-green-railings-new-show-9163576.

0 Watchmakers use Singaporean artists’ designs for creative faces

A watchmaker’s partnership with four Singaporean artists may work to inspire other creative minds to pursue a career in art because of the real possibility of truly making a living in that world. While many talented and inspiring artists might not choose to try to get a job as an artist because of the logistics and reality of not being able to support themselves with their art, this partnership is showing the world that it is possible to both support artists and for artists to support themselves.

The watchmaker said it was especially inspired by Singaporean artists because of how important art and creativity was to Singaporean society. Singapore has made great strides in recent years to embrace and promote the arts, from the government providing more opportunities for artists to be able to invest time in their projects, to organizations backing more art festivals and events to draw in more visitors who might not have been as likely in the past to participate in such programming. Even the opening of National Gallery Singapore has been instrumental in bringing art into the lives of people who have never been to an art museum before.

Art on the faces of these watches make them unique and wearable masterpieces. The fact that the art comes from the four Singaporean artists that it does is even more special. Each of the artists stand out in their own way. One has several world records in drawing and a highly recognizable comic book character. Another used to work as a person who collected unwanted items and resold them to others; he now is a successful abstract painter. Still another is a nail artist, while another is a tattoo artist and illustrator. These contemporary artists all represent different types of art present in Singapore and came together to design a number of different looks for the watchmaker.

One watch takes on a dreamy abstract and almost impressionistic look. From the abstract painter, the design blends an array of marbleized colors in rich blues, yellows, greens, and reds. The watch would look handsome and complement any outfit.

Another watch is a cute take on one of the drawer’s most popular comic book characters and includes an inspirational message. The comic book character is happy, gesturing around the logo for the watchmaker, and seated on dreamy blue clouds. This would be a must-have for fans of the work.

Still another watch features a gorgeous pink orchid on a lush pink background. Designed by the illustrator and tattoo artist, the design celebrates the artist’s love of flowers.

Another playful design features a fluffy kitten pawing up at the hands of the watch. In the background is a starry universe scene perhaps suggesting the universal love of all things cute and cuddly.

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To read more about the unique partnership between the watchmaker and several Singaporean artists, go to https://www.forbes.com/sites/yjeanmundelsalle/2017/09/07/watchmakers-join-forces-with-contemporary-artists-to-create-unique-timepieces-and-alliances/#5299c8533349.

0 Comic scout looking to tap into Singapore talent

Attendees of the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention will receive a rare treat in the form of a Marvel Comics official looking for talented Singaporean comic artists to add to the roster of the storied organization. Many consider drawing for Marvel Comics to be the epitome of the comic drawing world, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for comic enthusiasts and artists in Singapore to get their work scene, critiqued, and even promoted.

The official from Marvel — an American now stationed in Shanghai — says that Singapore art has always impressed him. While many comic art in Asia take cues from Japanese anime and manga style, Singaporean comic artists draw their inspiration on a more global scale. The official said he wasn’t sure whether it was due to the English language being so prominent in Singapore or the proliferation of Western culture in the island nation, but drawing inspiration from multiple sources makes the end result — Singaporean comic artists and their work — much more culturally rich and diverse than other Asian counterparts.

The Marvel official specifically cited renowned comic artist Sonny Liew, who recently won a significant award for his graphic novel with a take on Singapore’s historical past, for his comic art innovation. Liew himself has drawn for Marvel in the past, but it is his willingness to compromise, seek out feedback, and then follow the advice he receives that takes his art to the next level. Many artists become adhered to the original vision they had in mind for their work, and refuse to receive constructive criticism from outside sources. While they might think they’re protecting their project, they’re actually limiting themselves from growing as artists and making their work even stronger.

Comic artists living and working in Singapore are encouraged to attend the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention, where the Marvel official can be found. The official will be looking to take on talented artists and individuals to start drawing works for the Marvel universe. This comic universe is typically stylish, and artists are encouraged to bring their own personal styles, takes, and interpretations to characters. One hallmark of the Marvel universe is the use of humor. Even when the going gets tough and heroes are backed into impossible corners, they still use humor to lighten the mood.

Are you looking to take your art to the next level? Sign up for a class on comic drawing — or a different genre that interests you — on SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a one-stop shopping website that features informative art articles, discounted art supplies, and a wealth of different art classes you can easily enroll in. Help design the curriculum for your own class alongside your teacher so you can complete the projects you’re most interested in. Receive valuable feedback on your projects in progress and learn new artistic techniques to elevate your style.

To read more about Marvel Comics’ search for talented Singaporean comic artists, go to http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/marvels-talent-scout-lookout-comic-artists-spore.

0 Singapore study finds that seniors in the arts enjoy life more

It is unfortunately easy for senior citizens to become lost and forgotten. Whether they’re in special facilities designed to care for the elderly and feel isolated from normalcy, or if they’re unable to enjoy the kinds of activities they used to in their younger years, they can swiftly decline or slip into depression. However, a recent study from a Singaporean university has found that involving senior citizens in the arts — no matter what form that takes — helps boost their quality of life. This study shows that there is no better time than the present to make sure there are opportunities for senior citizens to explore their artistic sides.

Everything from dance troupes to theater performances to practicing different projects in visual arts have made seniors healthier, happier, and more involved in daily life. Senior citizens exercise their minds and bodies by learning new skills and even have the chance to make new friends and acquaintances in group projects and classes. Even engaging in art forms that remind them of their childhoods — such as knitting or embroidery — encourage exploring their memories and making new connections between the past and the present.

Senior citizens have the least participation in the arts out of all other age groups in Singapore. But the Singaporean government and other senior interests and art organizations are teaming up to create more opportunities for seniors to get involved in the arts in whatever format works best for their interests and abilities. The government is also looking to sponsor additional studies that will support research-based approaches aimed at effectively shaping policy for arts-based outreach programs for senior citizens and other groups in Singapore. In fact, the seminar in which the study findings were revealed was also held at the same time as a festival honoring senior artists.

Senior citizens themselves acknowledge the power of the arts in their lives. After participating in arts programming, many reported feeling better spiritually and mentally, as well as an increase in physical wellness. Organizers of the study are pointing toward the importance of these results as a possible future alternative to medications for physical and mental health. Seniors also said they experienced better understanding in bridging the gap between their generations and generations that come after them, using art as a common understanding between different groups.

It’s never too early or too late to start an education in art. Delve into the art world by signing yourself or a loved one up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a comprehensive art website devoted to increasing arts education and bringing together professional art teachers with future students. Whether you’re interested in learning how to paint with watercolors, draw caricatures or portraits, or investigate 3-D sculpture, there is sure to be a class for you. Art teachers have experience with teaching students of all ages and abilities.

To read more about the study’s findings, go to http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/involvement-artshelps-elderly-enjoy-better-quality-life-study.