Category Archives for "Blog"

0 Singapore performance artist talks art of toy pianos

Music collides with art thanks to performance artist and queen of the toy piano Margaret Leng Tan, winner of one of Singapore’s top award for creatives. The fascinating artist has big plans for this year after suffering a series of setbacks throughout 2016, which included the death of a cherished pet and the loss of a crate containing a number of masks and toy pianos she used for an ongoing tour.

Tan’s performances are renowned for being unconventional. She combines a true virtuosity for piano performance with the use of quirky toy pianos, limiting the grand scale of keys normally available to performers, and she also wears colorful masks and cracks jokes. Tan got her start in toy pianos in the tradition of the performer John Cage, who composed a complicated and beautiful score to be played on the toy piano. When Tan mastered the piece, which was surprisingly complex, she knew that there was something special about the toy piano, and she wanted to pursue it, joking that she’d never had a toy piano when she was young and was currently making up for lost time.

At 71, Tan shows no signs of slowing down. She has put on performances with a number of toy and miniaturized instruments while decked out in elaborate masks. Her newest show will be more serious than usual for the performance artist, and will play tribute to the contemporary works of composer Eric Satie, who was known for creating piano pieces that required stamina and great reach in gym-like stylings. It will be interesting to see how Tan puts her mark — and her compact toy pianos — to use in arrangements that usually span several octaves on a traditional piano. The show will be complemented by a series of readings and video art, providing a full experience for all attendees.

Tan was already an accomplished musician when she stumbled across toy pianos via Cage. But she embraced the art form, saying that she was set free by there being literally no rules to break. No one had ever truly seriously performed using toy pianos, so Tan was free to make her own regulations regarding the art form. Really, her performances go beyond traditional concerts and take on more theatrical qualities, as she shouts and even cries like birds during some of her performances.

Performance art is just one facet of the multitude of genres of art. Explore art in your own life by signing up to take an art class today. Visit SGArtClass.com to see the range of classes available in your area, including digital art, contemporary art, portrait painting, wearable art, and many more. No matter where your interest lies, you will be sure to find an art class to embrace it — along with highly professional teachers on hand to help you develop the skills necessary.

To read more about Margaret Leng Tan’s performance art, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/entertainment/singapore-s-toy-piano-virtuoso-margaret-leng-tan-is-back-with-a/3450252.html.

0 Singapore museum green-lights first ever digital art space

A brand new digital art space at the National Museum of Singapore is offering a cutting edge opportunity to reshape the way art is seen and experienced.

The digital space, called Gallery10, is the first permanent space for the art group. The inaugural exhibit is devoted to traditional dance and nighttime scenes around historic neighborhoods in Singapore. The all-digital art space comes with three highly technologically advanced projectors, plunging visitors into a completely immersive scene. For the dance-themed opening exhibit, traditional dancers rehearsed their moves in front of green screens, used to superimpose backdrops in animation and other uses. These dancers, who belong to actual dance groups in Singapore, are then projected onto images of neighborhoods like Little India. When visitors enter the space, it is as if they are entering a different place entirely, filled with dance and glowing, magical street scenes. An organizer of the exhibit says she hopes it inspires people to continue to embrace traditional art forms like the dances the artists perform. Not everyone is interested in still images for art, one visitor said. The digital space and its ability to transform and transcend traditional art is a wonderful way to draw in new fans of art.

Another exhibit in the works has been kept tightly under wraps, but it promises to be exciting and an entirely new experience for everyone. What the organizer would reveal is that the art space is experimenting with projection, smell technology, and edible art to completely transform the art of dining, setting the stage for a unique and incredible food experience there. One’s mouth waters to consider what kind of technology will be present to achieve such a feat.

Though one person lamented the fact that the gallery space is secluded enough within the National Museum of Singapore to be easily overlooked by museum visitors, Gallery10 is sure to be a success among the people who do find the treasure hidden with it. Gallery10 is free to visit and it is the only portion of the museum where food and drinks are allowed. It takes up the space that formerly belonged to an eatery on the museum property.

Art can encompass many things, and you might just be surprised at how close your own life, work, and hobbies are to being creative and artistic. Get in touch with your artsy side by signing up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. Browse an exhaustive list of art classes available, including everything from mural painting to digital art and many, many more. You will be sure to find a class that piques your interest and inspires you to create. Expert teachers will be on hand to instruct you in a variety of projects that you’re passionate about, and you can easily even set up meetings for classes in the comfort and convenience of your own home.

To read more about the digital art space at the National Museum of Singapore, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/making-exhibits-come-alive.

0 Best of Singapore art honored in card editions

Some of the most treasured Singapore artists are being honored with special edition cards of their artwork included in red packets for the Lunar New Year. One such artwork is especially appropriate for this year, since 2017 is the Year of the Rooster, and the artwork features roosters and chickens in front of a flowery scene of orchids.

Three renowned Chinese ink painters in Singapore are enjoying the honor of having their artwork on the red packets. Besides the scene of roosters and chickens, another painting shows two lavishly beautiful peonies in full bloom, which represents prosperity — a wish for many in the new year. The third artwork shows a whimsical tableau of spring, including blossoming flowers and the promise of rebirth for the season — and the turn of the new year. All three of the artists featured in the red packet cards have won top prizes in Singapore for their work.

One government official has lauded the idea of showcasing the talent of Singapore’s many gifted artists on the red packet cards. This makes the artwork much more accessible to people who might not be able to afford collecting art regularly, and spreading word of just how talented Singapore’s artists are might encourage people to learn more by visiting galleries and museums. It’s unlikely that many people will be ready to discard their red packets with these special cards attached to them.

Singapore officials also look forward to collaborating with Chinese artists in the country to help celebrate the unique mix of culture and arts in Singapore ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Exhibitions, discussions, and much more was planned to take place.

Participants were able to compete for a complimentary set of the special edition cards and red packets by playing games and doing quizzes on social media.

Did you make resolutions for the new year? Make one of your resolutions to embrace your creative side by enrolling in an art class. Exploring art is a wonderful way to get in touch with your creativity and learn things about yourself. Who knows? You might even discover that you’ve had an artist inside your heart this entire time, clamoring to be given the tools to get out and explore the world. Visit SGArtClass.com to begin your artistic journey. This website offers discounts and deals on art supplies, educational articles on a number of artistic genres, and a host of art classes you can sign up for. Take a class in watercolor painting, comic drawing, fashion art, mural painting, 3-D sculpture, and many more. You can even sign up as a group to take your socializing to the next level. Expert teachers will help lead you in fun and engaging projects based on your skills. It doesn’t matter, though, if you don’t have much experience in art, as you will quickly learn the techniques you need.

To learn more about the special cards celebrating Singapore art, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hongbao-card-present-the-best-of-local-art.

0 Injured Singaporean rugby player makes living through art

Lee Wei Kong once had his entire life in front of him. A talented and highly athletic rugby player, he also earned honors while studying art at school. When he was hit by a taxi in the middle of a rainstorm, catapulting him into an extended coma with a host of injuries, Lee still had his entire life in front of him. He just had to approach it differently from what he planned.

Lee was left with a dent in his left temple and a metal plate to bolster it. His parents noted that his personality was different, too. Now, Lee doesn’t often consider consequences and makes and loses friends quickly because of how demanding he can be. He doesn’t pick up on social cues that he used to, and it makes it hard for him to hold a job. But with perseverance and parents who refused to give up on him, Lee made it through school and got his degree in art.

Art was also an important part of Lee’s rehabilitation. For a time, he was unable to use his right hand or arm — his dominant side. A doctor tried to encourage Lee to develop his left side, but his parents insisted he be given a chance to try to recapture his former control on his right side. Within time, Lee was able to paint with his right hand again, and he and his parents swiftly discovered that he was still able to paint with some degree of skill.

Lee currently works painting murals in a dormitory. Though he sometimes wishes he could leave and do something different, his parents encourage him to stick with it. It’s important that Lee continue to have a job and the income that comes with it. Lee’s parents know they won’t be around forever to help him out, so they push him to continue to be as independent as he can be. What helps ease their mind, though, is that Lee recently married a woman from China that his parents met through a coworker. She didn’t mind what limitations Lee still experiences, though he has come quite a far way. He has two daughters through his wife, and hopes for a son in the near future.

Art can be therapeutic as well as informative, helping people tap into creative sides they might not have previously known about. Explore your latent creative side by enrolling in an art class via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com has art classes for all types of interests, including oil pastel drawing, watercolor painting, digital art, caricature drawing, and many more. Meet one-on-one with your teacher to start developing the skills and techniques you need to complete projects you’re interested in. It doesn’t matter if you’re already an accomplished artist looking for feedback on ongoing masterpieces or someone looking to develop a new hobby.

To read more about Lee Wei Kong’s life and the art he now makes, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/there-s-still-hope-he-can-live-a-normal-life/3468750.html.

0 Art gallery owner dodges additional jail time in Singapore

Singapore gallery owner Jasmine Tay, who made headlines recently after being found guilty of bilking an art collector out of S$2.3 million, was spared additional jail time in a hearing regarding her charges of being in contempt of court.

The contempt of court charges came after Tay withdrew thousands of dollars from her bank account after an order came for her assets to be frozen. The asset freeze was in response to the case of her selling a statue to an art collector for S$2.3 million, though the collector never received the statue. When he requested a refund of his money, it came to light that Tay had spent the majority of the money on herself, only even giving a portion of the profits to the artist who designed the sculpture.

While Tay served jail time for failing to disclose her assets after being asked to do so four times by the court, her lawyers argued that she wasn’t immediately told about the order to freeze her assets, which was why she went on to withdraw money from her bank account. The withdrawals were because she was ignorant about the order, her lawyers argued, not because she was intentionally violating it. They also argued that she should have been shown more understanding due to a major depressive disorder. This coincided with another argument that Tay didn’t understand the order and wasn’t given an opportunity to explain her actions or the way she was feeling at the time, including the mental illness she was enduring.

The judge eventually agreed to drop the jail time that Tay had been facing with the extra charge of contempt of court, reducing the sentence to a fine. Tay will also be required to return the money she withdrew from her bank account. After the sentence was amended, Tay appeared to be happy with the result, hugging her lawyer.

Art can have unexpected benefits, aiding people with grief, depression, anxiety, and a number of other maladies. Art therapy is a proven approach to many different situations, and you can discover how to start benefiting from art by visiting SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a website devoted to all things art, including offering discounted art supplies and instructional materials, informative articles, and a wide variety of different art classes to enroll in. Whether you decide to sign up for a class on acrylic painting, charcoal sketching, or figure drawing, a professional instructor will be on hand to lead you through a selection of projects. Look into completing art journals or pieces exploring your emotions. You can also sign up alongside a group of friends to make the experience more fun, social, and comfortable. Meet in the convenience of your own home, or arrange with your teacher to meet a common location. Sign up for an art class today to begin unlocking all of the benefits art provides.

To read more about the case, go to http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/art-gallery-owner-spared-jail-over-contempt-court.

0 Myanmar artist wins coveted Singapore prize

The prestigious Joseph Balestier Award for the Freedom of Art was awarded to an artist based in Myanmar who had been up to win the honor for three years in a row. The award, which is given by the United States ambassador to Singapore and the head of Art Stage Singapore, consists of $15,000 to a worthy artist. The other two artists who were up for the award seemed to happily cede their chances to win, seeing as how the actual winner was so worthy.

The Myanmar artist promised to share the money award with the surrounding community, intent on promoting art education for children. Although the ambassador is on his way out in the face of a new U.S. presidential administration, he said that he believed the art award would continue even after his exit.

The art writer who attended the ceremony got the chance to continue to enjoy art following the ceremony, which was held at the U.S. embassy. A nearby hotel was hosting three separate individual art showings by Singapore artists. The glitzy opening also featured cake alongside the hobnobbing of a veritable who’s who in Singapore art.

The day after the award presentation, Art Stage Singapore opened its doors to thousands of visitors. The art writer joined the masses walking among the gallery and artist booths of the enormous art show, which is arguably the biggest art event all year in Singapore. While walking around, the art writer happened across an art administrator from Indonesia, who confirmed that a new art museum in the country will open in time to be in conjunction with a pair of biennales in Indonesia.

Later, the art writer attended an awards ceremony at the Singapore Art Museum for notable art featured in the Singapore Biennale, which featured a theme of “An Atlas of Mirrors.” An artist from Thailand netted the $27,000 top prize, with a Singapore artist also receiving special recognition. A number of glitzy after parties with food and drink options abounded, as well as regular offerings in beautiful hotels and night spots around Singapore.

Celebrate all things art in Singapore by signing up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. Browse the wide variety of art classes offered through this comprehensive website, including 3-D art, Chinese ink painting, digital art, and many more. Whether you’re interested in bolstering your already existing art skills with the help of a professional instructor, or if you’re curious about developing a fun, new hobby, teachers for the art classes are well trained in offering effective instruction and advice for students of all ages and abilities. Teachers will be able to adapt to your busy schedule and meet with you whenever you’re available. They will also be able to lead you on projects you’re most interested in, whether it’s completing artwork for class assignments, making gifts for loved ones, or simply having fun on a night when you have nothing else to do.

To read more about the award and reception, go to https://www.artforum.com/diary/id=65934.

0 Singapore student overcomes hardship to dominate art competition

Singapore student Ng Jun attends his classes all day, helps to deliver fresh ingredients to his parents’ three food stalls, and then returns home to design and animate video game characters, which is his passion. It didn’t matter to the student that he was forced to manage his time stringently in order to find the minutes and hours to devote to his characters. He first became interested in art after drawing his favorite cartoon characters using a pencil and a pad of paper. Now, Ng is so passionate about designing characters and entering the video gaming industry that he didn’t even let a computer crash — culminating in a loss of a year’s worth of work — stop him from taking top prize at a Singapore art and animation competition, winning out over more than a dozen other competitors to represent Singapore at a similar competition in the United Arab Emirates.

Ng said that he didn’t expect to win the Singapore competition, only that he wanted to take part in it and pit his skill against other illustrators and artists. The format of the competition itself is brutal, taking part in 22 hours over three days. In those 22 hours, participants must complete an entirely new video game character, designing and animating it. They are not allowed to have their cellphones with them, and a moderator even accompanies them to the bathroom to make sure they are in no violation of the rules.

The main difference between the Singapore and the UAE competitions is the hefty monetary prize that comes with winning — $20,000, to be exact. The format of the competition is the same, requiring the design and animation of a character in 22 hours over the three days of participation. Ng said that he would by additional computer hardware and software with the money, if he wins it, explaining that he completes his work on a small drawing tablet and most other professional artists incorporate a large tablet for similar work. One of Ng’s instructors at his school estimates that Ng is only a year’s knowledge and experience away from creating characters like true professionals in the gaming industry, proving that Ng is truly talented.

Art is so broad and all encompassing that there are many different genres that would surely fit most people in the world. From designing and animating characters using computer and 3-D software, to sketching action and dialogue in a 2-D comic strip, art offers people the opportunity to tell their stories in many different ways. Visit SGArtClass.com to see the wide variety of art classes you can enroll in today, from photography art to oil painting, assemblage art to mural painting, and many more. Expert teachers will help you develop the skills and techniques necessary to take your art to the next level, even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before.

To learn more about and see Ng Jun’s art, go to http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/computer-crash-did-not-stop-nyp-student-aiming-20k-animation-prize.

0 Affordable options to enjoy Art Stage Singapore

Art can be a wonderful thing, but high prices on paintings and other masterpieces might put collecting out of reach for the average attendee. However, there are several Art Stage Singapore happenings that would be perfect for those without a lot of extra money to throw around to attend.

One specific exhibit shows art borrowed directly from the collections of dedicated art collectors, allowing others a peek into the experience of collecting art as a hobby. Visitors can see how others live — or, at the very least, pretend they’re walking through the rooms that the works of art usually are displayed in. Viewing this exhibit is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see artwork that might not otherwise be viewable, as many of Singapore’s dedicated art collectors prefer to remain out of the public eye. There might not be another chance to see in person the kinds of masterpieces that make up a part of this special collection. One such collection that visitors should be on the lookout for is a minimalistic take on portraits that look more like x-rays on display at the doctor’s office — with decidedly Christian undertones.

Another exhibit that is not to be missed is a pair of performance art interactions. There is no better way to experience this kind of cutting edge art than to take in a live art performance. One of the performances will trace several works of art on display at Art Stage Singapore all the way back to the 1970s, doing so with uniquely informative and entertaining tidbits of information.

Still another attraction at Art Stage Singapore for visitors is the opportunity to watch art being created before your own eyes. Two artists will be using their booth space to make an installation of unfired clay, molding temples and statues right in front of passers-by. It is perhaps one of the only galleries at Art Stage Singapore that is there simply for art’s sake — the installation will not be for sale.

One attractive option for visitors who want to collect art but might not have the means to do so is a highly affordable art vending machine. A number of bite-sized artworks encased in protective boxes are available for just twenty dollars in a unique vending machine that dispenses the art a visitor wants.

The last option to enjoy Art Stage Singapore on a modest budget is to create some artwork of your own. There are many opportunities to snap photos of inspiring and intriguing artworks on your phone to upload to an Instagram or other social media account. This is just another way to participate in the artwork’s many incarnations.

Interested in the sights and exhibits of Art Stage Singapore? Consider taking your interest to the next level by signing up for an art class via SGArtClass.com.

To read more about options for Art Stage Singapore visitors who might find traditional art collecting a little out of their reach, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/from-s-20-works-to-instagram-heaven-5-reasons-to-check-out-art/3431008.html.

0 Visitors dictate meaning behind bizarre art exhibit

A pair of taxidermy, their dark feathers absorbing the dim lighting around them, perched on a ledge. A plate heaped with a serving of food placed gleaming before them. A wall of framed photographs behind them, and a clutter of items teeming on a shelf.

These are scenes and just a small selection of sights at “The Bizarre Honour,” a cutting-edge art exhibit aimed at piquing visitors’ curiosity and skills of imagination and invention. The exhibit itself is a collection of seemingly unconnected items from various artists’ personal belongings. Visitors are paired off and sent to explore the space by themselves, without any intervention from docents or pesky placards telling them what, exactly, they are looking at. This lack of context is important for visitors to develop their own explanations and connections, which is the intention of the exhibit itself. The only lifeline that visitors are thrown are an arcane binder with a little bit of information thrown in.

Another facet of the exhibit is that visitors can view it in any order they choose.There isn’t an order the exhibit is intended to be viewed in, unlike other highly curated situations. This is also meant to help visitors create their own stories about the objects contained within the exhibit, and it is entirely possible that multiple visits and walk-throughs could reveal different contexts. One special part of art is that no matter what the artist creates, viewers add another dimension to the masterpiece. Since everyone comes from different backgrounds and life experiences, they all bring different understandings to the viewing of the artwork. Even if the artist created a piece with a specific purpose or meaning in mind, if the viewer has a different interpretation, it is just as valid as the artist’s. In that way, art can be seen through a variety of different lenses, and can encompass life and bridge divides.

“The Bizarre Honour” simply takes this idea to the extreme. The organizer of the show enjoyed this unique experience, too, since they are usually responsible for taking participants on walking tours of public art around Singapore. Without a specific path to walk, this special exhibit becomes even more unique in its ability to put art directly in the power of participants.

Give context to your own life by examining it through the lens of art. Visit SGArtClass.com today to browse the many art classes you can enroll in to jumpstart a passion and appreciation for the arts. Take anything from classes on found art to collage art or oil painting. There is an art class for every single interest. Teachers who lead the classes can either meet you in the convenience of your own home or at a common location, depending on your schedule. Classes are completely flexible, and you have the power to dictate the kinds of projects you work on, according to what you’re interested in.

To read more about “The Bizarre Honour” exhibit, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/real-artefacts-fictional-narrative.

0 English artist in Singapore uses art to cope with disorder

English artist Liz Atkin used to avoid wearing T-shirts because her arms were so pocked with scars. It was something she couldn’t control, a compulsion to pick at her skin no matter where she was or what she was doing. Her disease, Compulsive Skin Picking disorder, made her avoid people. Finally, though, in an effort to help Atkin through her troubled time, a friend gifted her with an art set — something to do with her hands that didn’t involve harming her skin.

Atkin used the art set — which included charcoal pencils — during times of high anxiety, times when she would be more likely to pick at her skin, such as when she was riding public transit in London. The method of distraction seemed to work — until one day, when she ran out of paper in her sketchbook. Desperate to keep herself from picking at her skin, Atkin picked up a free newspaper available on the train system, and the rest is history. The tactile sense of drawing helps keep her hands occupied, and with the charcoal that usually stains her fingers, she is much less likely to want to touch her skin and get it dirty, too.

Atkin has been sketching charcoal drawings on newspapers ever since, considering the artwork as a way of recycling something that would be rendered obsolete the next day, or next issue. She started gifting the quick drawings to other passengers on the train, not needing to keep the artwork, but needing to do the artwork. Now, Atkin is in Singapore, spreading awareness of Compulsive Skin Picking disorder and gifting transit passengers with her drawings on Singaporean newspapers. Each time she gives away one of her drawings, she also includes a postcard with information about the disorder. Atkin has also been completing a speaking tour to tell people about her battles with the disorder, which affects as many as one in twenty people.

The drawings themselves are dynamic, interesting, and one-of-a-kind. Atkin might add a blossoming tree to the top of a chassis on a car advertisement, or she might make another car sprout spider legs, perched on a web extending outward from the ad. She enhances the makeup of faces on the newsprint, or explodes starbursts outward from blocks of text. Her hurried charcoal lines add movement and noise and importance to otherwise mundane pages of newsprint, and each one is its own work of art.

Art can be used as a way to cope with many different disorders or states of mind. Sign up for an art class via SGArtClass.com to start benefiting from everything that art has to give you. Art can be a great way to relieve stress from work or school or just everyday life, and it can also help you develop creative problem solving skills you might not have otherwise had.

To read more about Liz Atkin’s art and her efforts to combat her disorder, go to http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/lifestyle/uk-artist-gives-away-free-art-to-singapore-s-train-commuters/3415476.html.