Category Archives for "Blog"

0 Artist’s watercolor works to be displayed at Singapore gallery

In Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, for a time artists preferred to engage in subjects that promoted as controversy as possible. Creative minds tried to thrive even with heavy self-censorship in order to adhere to rules set by the government, but it was a struggle and a limit on self-expression. However, as recently as five years ago, censorship laws in the country were relaxed, and the art scene in Myanmar enjoyed something of a blossoming as a result of it.

That’s what is so interesting about an exhibit hosted at a Singapore art gallery for a watercolor artist from Myanmar. Visitors to the show can trace the cultural history of Myanmar through the works, some of which were created under the censorship law, and others that were created after the rules were removed. The artist, Min Zaw, has shown his works in galleries and museums across the globe. The painter is most well known for painting women. Shown in traditional settings, the women gazed from the work and directly into the eyes of viewers. They could have been conveying anything, but it was always up to the viewer to decide, meaning Min Zaw could have used his paintings to make a quiet commentary on Myanmar or the censorship laws themselves.

One of the watercolor paintings that will be on display is an almost whimsical depiction of a platform of a pagoda. Rendered in whites for the building material and grays for the shadows cast by an off-canvas sun, looping lines complete the representation of what must be intricate architecture. In the distance, blotches represent deep green foliage. A pair of red-clad figures in the foreground offer a reflection on more distant towers.

In another minimalistic painting, a pair of women — one in a red skirt, the other in a green skirt, stand beneath the shade of towering hardwood trees. It is up to the viewer to decide what the women are doing, crossing a golden yellow expanse beneath the trees. Are they chatting? Working? Relaxing? Meeting in secret, for some reason? The composition lends itself to an air of mystery.

In another gorgeous painting, a pair of women in skirt stand at the edge of a white wall. A blooming plant spills over the side of the wall, and the women seem to be admiring the pink blossoms. Though this is the focal point of the painting, the sky actually takes up the most room in the composition. Representing either dawn or dusk, yellow-edged gray clouds crawl across a blue sky.

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To read more about the watercolor exhibit, as well as see a preview of the works that will be on display, go to http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/2376079/early-watercolor-works-by-min-zaw-at-art-seasons-singapore.

0 Singapore modern art greats participate in group show

Nearly forty works of art from a group of five giants in the history of Singaporean modern art will be on display as part of a special exhibit at an art center in Singapore. The event is not to be missed, as it traces the fascinating history of modern art in Singapore, as well as the personal journeys of each of the artists as they grew, learned, and developed as talented artists. A variety of works will be shown, including paintings, mixed media works, and 3-D sculptures.

One self-taught artist reflected on learning how to paint while working for his father’s company, which produced and provided posters and signs for different entities throughout Singapore. Any time his father needed painting done, the artist used it as a learning experience. This anecdote highlights the diverse backgrounds and experiences all the different artists had, leading to a rich artistic history in Singapore.

An acrylic painting that will be on display during the show is primarily a warm green that drips down the canvas. White, yellow, and blue swatches of paint at certain points of the work are reminiscent of the bright blooms of flowers that might be present in well-cared for window boxes on high-rise buildings. The overall feeling of the painting is peace and beauty — a bright spot of beauty in an otherwise industrial location.

Another painting features a variety of colors and shapes rendered in oil on canvas. The work is decidedly abstract, the shapes and lines using color and position on the canvas to interact and compliment one another. The artist who created this work says he focuses primarily on composition, causing viewers to feel and experience a relationship simply b y looking at where the shapes are positioned on the canvas.

Yet another intriguing work that will be a part of the show is an acrylic painting of a galaxy that reflects more of a marble-style splash. The gorgeous rendering features an ombre progression of color, from deep blue to yellow-green, across the canvas. The galaxy detailing is exquisite, rich and detailed with folds and splotches in white, blue, and green, perfectly offsetting the background colors. It looks like a painting a viewer can get lost in, imagining what worlds might exist within that spiraling galaxy.

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To read more about the modern artists who shaped Singapore’s modern scene, as well as see their various artworks, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/half-century-of-spore-modern-art-on-show.

0 Singapore students make art in response to exhibit

A group of young students stretched their learning experience into the artistic world by creating artwork in response to an art exhibit they viewed as a class.

The all-girl class recently visited an art exhibit that examined a perceived strain or breaking of family connection in the modern world. Instead of being plunged into despondency over what many would call a sad display, the students rallied and made artwork that celebrated relationships and connections among friends and families. Each student was responsible for creating a fabric square that reflected a connection or symbol that reminded them of a loved one. One fabric square, for example, showed a coffee mug because the student’s mother loved the hot beverage. All of the squares, once completed, were combined into a large quilt and hung in an installation inside the Singapore Art Museum.

The learning experience for the group of students didn’t simply stop there. The students were able to view and experience their own work displayed at an art museum, surely inspiring them to want to create further and pursue artistic goals. They were also able to extend invitations to family members and friends to view the art, taking the lessons to the next level by renewing those bonds and connections. A couple of representatives of the class even served as tour guides, explaining the meaning behind the project and what the students hoped to achieve with the quilt display. All in all, students got a taste for what it meant to be art critics, analyzing an art exhibit they visited as a class; artists who created work with societal meaning and importance in crafting the fabric squares and quilt; active citizens who visit cultural hotspots in their country by visiting the museum; and museum curators by talking to other visitors and helping them understand the context of the quilt installation.

This entire experience is part of a broader program that helps connect students in school to the artistic world via partnerships between the school and art museums. This particular class of students actually attended classes inside both the Singapore Art Museum and National Gallery Singapore, which were structured to include more art and creative pursuits. The curriculum included discussing real-world topics and how they related to some of the art hanging in the museums. This kind of synergy among entities serves to enrich the educational experiences of all young students.

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To read more about the class artwork response, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/south-view-dare-to-dream.

0 Singapore Night Festival to highlight diversity in performances

There will surely be something for everyone featured at this year’s Singapore Night Festival, which takes place in August. A number of talented performers will be on hand to showcase experiences hailing from around the world. With this kind of stimulating lineup, this event shouldn’t be missed.

A recent preview of the upcoming festival showcased the work of ten various artists who will be taking part this year. The even served to whet the appetites and interests of people for the night festival, which is held over the course of a week. Festival-goers should look forward to a variety of acts catered to many different interests and tastes. One of the top Pernakan performance groups in all of Singapore will be on hand with the signature singing and dancing that accompanies such shows. Two dance groups will be pairing up in an excitement marriage of culture and style that will entertain audiences with flamenco dancing from Spain and a historical Indian dance. Visitors can look forward to many more diverse acts during the festival.

One of the leaders of the Singapore Night Festival says the new variety of performers reflects the diverse journey the event has taken over the course of its history. As the artistic and creative scene in Singapore continues to evolve, visitors can expect some of Singapore’s classic arts festivals to change in similar ways to reflect the how the population is reshaping itself. This also extends to the performers in the Singapore Night Festival. One group that will be in the spotlight at the event used to be buskers, or performance artists who put on acts in the streets for tips. Now, though, the group puts on stage shows as well as installation exhibits.

This year’s Singapore Night Festival will also condense the performances of participating groups to three nights rather than four. Leadership staff for the festival said this was to give more time for fans of the light displays to enjoy them without having the added distraction of performances to attend. The event, which is in its eighth year, is sure to grow in subsequent years. For example, in its initial showing, about 60,000 people attended the festivities. More recent events have seen half a million visitors.

Make your own mark on the art world by signing up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a comprehensive website that hosts informational articles about different art genres, deeply discounted art supplies, and numerous art classes. Signing up for an art class in a subject that interests you will automatically connect you to a highly professional art instructor who will coordinate with you on scheduling lessons and developing projects for you to complete. It doesn’t matter if you are a highly skilled art student looking for portfolio help or someone just curious about bringing a little more creativity in your life.

To read more about the performances at the Singapore Night Festival, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/lighting-up-the-town.

0 Singapore’s newest art space for young creatives opens

Parents have a brand new place to take their young ones so that the entire family can enjoy art and other creative pursuits together. The Artground has something to entertain people of all ages and artistic abilities, ensuring a fun and informative outing for the whole family.

One mother contacted during the opening of The Artground said she wished Singapore would have more institutes like this one, which enables family members of all ages to interact meaningfully with displays and one another. The Artground features four separate areas for children and adults to play and learn, meaning that there are a multitude of different ways for young people to have their curiosity piqued and their growing brains engaged.

One of the areas encompasses gardening, meaning young ones can be exposed by a young age to the importance of growing plants. Growing plants can teach responsibility in a cheap and easy way without the emotional investment and cost of a pet. The Artground even offers classes on gardening and growing plants that can help ignite the growing minds of young participants.

Another particularly special part of The Artground is a stage specifically for young babies. The play area consists of slopes and ramps that even go so far as to encourage young ones who are still crawling to take their first steps toward walking. Other play areas for older children are full of stimulation and fun, including large wooden boxes young people can climb on, and foam pool noodles sticking out of walls. There is even a fabric tunnel the very brve can crawl through to discover new areas of exploration.

One of the best parts of The Artground is that it’s free besides some special programming from time to time that requires tickets. That means that anyone with small children can come almost whenever they want and expect an excellent time. Staff members at The Artground also often provide complimentary classes, such as the gardening tutorial. There are also storytelling programs available, along with music and art events. No matter what their age, children and adults alike stand to learn and grow together through the special exhibits and lessons offered at The Artground.

Expand your child’s mind by enrolling him or her in an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a comprehensive website that connects art students of all ages and abilities with professional art teachers who have experience in teaching all kinds of pupils. A perfect summer or weekend activity, art classes can be tailored to the particular interests of the child, ensuring a fun and educational departure from school. Whether your child is interested in comic drawing or acrylic painting, there is sure to be an art class that will help them grow their creative abilities. Art classes will benefit your child in unexpected ways, including giving them an extra boost in school.

To learn more about the opening of The Artground in Singapore, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/lifestyle/the-artground-singapore-s-newest-arts-space-for-children-opens-9012274.

0 Some art fairs in Singapore facing challenges

In spite of Singapore’s recent success with boosting its arts scene, a couple of art shows are nixing extra editions in favor of focusing on their biggest events. One of them, the annual Affordable Art Fair, had been hosting twice yearly events to draw in new art collectors, making art accessible and affordable. However, thanks to low attendance numbers and feedback from visitors, organizers have decided to stop holding the second event, which usually takes place in the spring. A number of things combined to force organizers to make this decision, including low sales and fewer galleries vying to participate. Organizers said they hoped that with the sole event, more visitors and gallery owners alike would want to take part in a more exclusive event.

Art isn’t the only victim in this slowdown. Other retailers throughout Singapore have been feeling the squeeze as an economic downturn has hit the country’s markets. But like other business entities, art dealers, gallery owners, and festival organizers must make tough decisions to ensure that their events and art continue to have an opportunity to thrive. As consumers and potential art collectors tighten their belts, art organizations must do the same.

Another art festival in Singapore that is feeling the squeeze is Art Stage Singapore, which saw nearly 7,000 fewer visitors from one year to the next. Fewer galleries chose to participate as well, meaning that there simply wasn’t enough demand at that point to truly support more growth for the festival. Organizers of Art Stage Singapore said that regional support was essential for the event to survive. Just as Singapore isn’t the only nation in Southeast Asia suffering economic setbacks, other countries could help boost the collective art scene by acting together and supporting creative efforts by one another.

But even with those two high-profile setbacks, another art festival has enjoyed some modest success. Singapore Contemporary enjoyed nearly twice as many people at its second showing this year, with up to a third more galleries displaying works. It’s not certain why this festival did well when others did not, but the organizer didn’t care to speculate about how next year might go with the state of the economy and the fate befalling other similar art festivals.

Now is the time to embrace art in your life, and SGArtClass.com can help you do so. Visit SGArtClass.com today to browse an exhaustive section of informative art articles, shop for discounted art supplies, and sign up for an art class. SGArtClass.com offers dozens of different art classes for potential art students of all interests. Try your hand at watercolor or oil painting, or impress your friends with caricature or portrait drawing. Delve into your passion for fashion with a fashion drawing class or nail art tutorial. Our expert teachers will give you the skills you need to complete the projects you’re excited about.

To read more about the challenges facing art festivals in Singapore, go to http://m.todayonline.com/lifestyle/arts-fairs-singapore-facing-tough-times.

0 Artists tout potential for street art in Singapore

A number of street artists say that there is plenty of room for graffiti, mural, and street art in Singapore, even if the nation has historically removed unapproved works fairly quickly. However, with a slew of upcoming events and organizations supporting public art, more and more street artists are getting their work officially sanctioned by the Singapore government, meaning they can create without worrying about prosecution or having their masterpieces erased and removed.

Graffiti art makes artists’ works more accessible to a public that might not get to see them otherwise. Unexpected art that pops up on buildings and walls also go a long way in brightening different areas and attracting attention to places that might have been overlooked prior to the engaging visual interest.

One street artist who says that he never creates art without getting permission from building owners first says that many are actually eager to have murals and other pieces painted on their walls. It could draw in people who might not usually visit that area of town or a certain business, drumming up interest that could benefit business owners, building managers, and other entities. Street art also has the ability to raise quality of life levels, building pride and interest for residents in their own neighborhoods.

In fact, street art will take center stage during this year’s monthlong Singapore Street Festival. A number of street artists will be painting live as part of the event’s programming, giving people a chance to learn more about graffiti, murals, and street art. This kind of visibility is key in winning visitors over and showing them that graffiti can be so much more than a public nuisance. Another popular art event, PAssionArts Festival, will also spotlight street art as a special theme. Some of the works on display included a large set of lips that an art collective had doodled on, which is one of the many aesthetics for street art.

In both past and future projects, street art is also a great way to garner more interest in art and get the public’s help in completing installations. People can take pride in the work they help create as well as learning about different artistic genres and techniques, quickly becoming fans of art in other places.

If you’ve always been interested in street art but couldn’t seem to find an effective outlet for your interest, think about enrolling in a class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a comprehensive website that hosts informative art articles, discounted art supplies, and a wealth of art classes, including lessons on mural painting, graffiti art, and many more. Expert art teachers will help students of all ages and abilities develop the skills they need to complete the projects they’re most interested in. Learn everything that goes into a street art piece, including working with spray paint, scaling your piece, and more.

To read more about street art in Singapore, go to http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/street-art-singapore-it-can-be-done-say-artists.

0 Art exhibit marks 50 years of Singapore’s National Service

Fifty years of Singapore’s National Service are being celebrated by fifty Singaporean artists, as well as a traveling art show of their works inspired by the faces and dedication of individuals within the National Service.

More than one hundred artworks ranging from oil and watercolor paintings to bronze 3-D sculptures will be on display in three different art galleries over the course of the next month or so. All of the works of art are in celebration of the Singapore National Service, and feature renderings of individuals and heroic acts as a part of the service.

One painting that will be on display features a trio of laughing servicemen, all of them sporting full camouflage face paint that matches their green fatigues. They look as if they were caught in a lighter moment, which presents and interesting juxtaposition between smiles on their faces and the full servicemen gear, including an assault rifle. Another piece, which looks to be made from either watercolor or ink painting, features a portrait of a Singaporean leader in front of the Singaporean flag, looking into scenes of servicemen smiling and talking together. Still another painting features servicemen in full gear, marching toward the viewer, looking ready for anything in front of a tank. Especially masterful in this piece are the clouds above and dust below caused by the advancing tank, lending a mysterious air to the artwork. Another colorful piece shows a serviceman in white, red, and gold dress uniform blowing into a trumpet. Behind him is lushly rendered green foliage, perfectly offsetting the colors of his uniform. A very lifelike painting features servicemen in camouflage fatigues in the middle of a jungle, toting gear like body armor and assault rifles. The intimidating figures are taking a break after perhaps a training exercise, many of them lifting olive green canteens to their lips to slake their thirst. The quality of this particular painting is very high, appearing almost as accurate as a photograph. Other paintings feature portraits of numerous servicemen, immortalized forever in oil and acrylic paint.

Artists got the opportunity to visit a number of army camps to derive inspiration for their pieces, which were then completed over the course of four months.

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To read more about the collection of art pieces solicited for the commemoration, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/art-exhibition-launched-to-commemorate-ns50-8975514.

0 Singaporean photographer named finalist for prestigious award

Robert Zhao Renhui, a Singaporean photographer, is the only finalist to represent the Southeast Asia region in the prestigious Hugo Boss Asia Art Award for this year.

Zhao is known as an extremely artistic and conceptual photographer, making his pieces seem more like paintings than actual photographs. A quick search of his recent work shows a series of beautifully rendered portraits of different animals. In one, a bulbous orange and gold fist rests limply in the center of the frame, the mauve background somehow normalizing the otherwise strange sense of a fish out of water. In another photo with an off-white background, a bird’s legs are curled up just below it, posed as if it were on the move, but without the wings extended. Another photo with a goldenrod yellow background shows a minuscule ladybug in flight, the red shell of its body highly visible even if it is so small in the piece. Another photo with the same shade of yellow in the background features a larger-than-life grasshopper, antennae laid back as if blown by the wind, just on the cusp of skittering forward. In another ethereal portrait, a polar bear swims away from the viewer in murky, blue water. The swimming action makes the bear — a large and imposing animal — seem nearly weightless, suspended in the middle of the frame. Many of Zhao’s photographs of this nature work from him taking the animal or insect out of context from where it might usually be viewed — such as in a tree or among plants — and presents it in a sterile environment so you are forced to study the subject in a new way. It isn’t difficult to see why he has been nominated for the Hugo Boss Asia Art Award.

There are four finalists named for the award including Zhao. The other creatives nominated are all from China. The award itself was established in 2013 and is given out every two years. Since its inception, the award is now considered the top prize for contemporary artists in Asia. No one from Singapore has won the honor yet. The previous two winners were from Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Zhao will find out whether he netted the award near the end of this year, in November. The top prize includes S$61,000, as well as an exhibition of work for all of the finalists. Zhao has enjoyed a number of recent shows at galleries around Singapore, as well as one that will be a part of this year’s Singapore International Festival of Arts.

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To read more about the award, as well as more on Robert Zhao Renhui’s art, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/lifestyle/singapore-artist-robert-zhao-finalist-hugo-boss-asia-art-award-8991994.

0 Magazine offers proof that Singapore is worldwide art destination

Singapore is swiftly becoming known for much more than its food culture and business reputation. With the addition of National Gallery Singapore, as well as a slew of important art festivals throughout the year, many tourists can now enjoy Singapore as an art destination. Many government officials as well as leaders of art organizations and events have been angling to attract visitors to the nation with excellent creative programming and institutions. Recently, a magazine pinpointed Singapore’s perhaps most attractive art events and places for visitors looking to go to the nation for the first time.

Gillman Barracks is an excellent place to start for a first-time visitor to Singapore. This area of Singapore serves as a destination for contemporary arts as well as art from the Southeast Asia region. There is no better way to understand a country and a culture than investigating the arts produced from creative mind who live there. Touring the art galleries located in the facility as well as chatting with the owners, artists, and fellow art fans would be an excellent way to spend part of a visit to Singapore.

Another art destination is Art Porters Gallery. This gallery was originally intended to help boost Singapore’s fledgling art scene, hosting contemporary art from mainly Europe and Asia. The gallery owners wanted to give both beginner art collectors and more sophisticated art collectors a chance to be able to snap up works from new and talented art. See art from all different genres here, as well as the cute surrounding neighborhood.

Religion might not be the first thing that a visitor might consider when coming to Singapore, but that would mean they’d miss out on a wonderful opportunity to experience the confluence of several different types of belief systems. Visitors are encouraged to walk around town to view nearly forty Hindu temples with stunningly artistic facades and architecture. On a couple of streets, visitors can even pass by Hindu, Chinese, Jewish, and Catholic places of worship, all within a brief walk of one another.

The Singapore Tyler Print Institute is another option for someone looking beyond the norm in art explorations. Organizers at the institute feature the work of artists from around the world — as long as their works are on print and paper. The institute also offers the opportunity for such artists to live and work on premises, creating something cross between a creative incubator and a residency program.

Lastly, a visitor would be remiss if they didn’t make a stop at National Gallery Singapore. The art contained inside the former city hall and supreme court buildings boasts the largest collections of Southeast Asian art, as well as numerous exhibits and community outreach programs.

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To browse the top five art draws of Singapore, as named by Paste Magazine, go to https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/06/singapore-art-attractions-museums.html.