Category Archives for "Blog"

0 Newspaper graphic designers win international recognition

Two designs from a Singaporean newspaper won global awards due to their message, innovation, and eye-catching design realization. The designs were part of thousands of entries from dozens of different countries all around the world. These stood out from the competition, earning the accolades among many other talented designers and renowned publications.

The first design, made ahead of the historic summit between the leaders of North Korea and the United States held in Singapore, featured an illustrated profile on President Donald Trump. The U.S. president, who has a strong presence on social media site Twitter, is rendered in distinctive blue profile. His body, however, is made up of some of his more memorable tweets. Each tweet is in the shape of whatever theme the president was conveying at the moment. It was the perfect rendering for a polarizing individual who eschews traditional forms of communication, offering the world a rare look at his unfiltered viewpoints. On the leader’s pointed fingers sits the memorable bird logo of Twitter, bringing everything together.

The other design features a highly detailed infographic examining the possible future of Singapore. The designer, who is a fan of science fiction, imagined that since Singapore is an island nation and bound by the limitations of its physical borders, the nation could only grow vertically, not outward. So with the collaboration of news directors, reporters, and others, the designer created an illustration looking at what that potential future might look like. At the top of the layout, a pair of hands manipulate military exercises. Below, streets and high-rise buildings are dissected. A multi-level street carries different kinds of cars, transit, and traffic. The costs of such projects are weighed in an additional graphic running along the bottom of the pages. The overall effect is both immersive and engaging, drawing the reader in immediately and keeping them there until all the information is presented.

Graphic design is just one of many forms that art can take on. Explore all of them by visiting SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a fully comprehensive website that hosts multiple points of information. From educational articles about artistic genres to deeply discounted art supplies to complete your next project, you could spend hours on SGArtClass.com. Perhaps the website’s biggest draw is its listing of art classes you can browse and easily enroll in. Sign up for a class on digital art, acrylic painting, 3-D sculpture, nail art, mural painting, or another session that piques your interest. Talented instructors are on hand to help you develop the skills you need to complete the projects you’re most passionate about. If your schedule is irregular or too busy, consider an online-only option. Start and pause your personalized lessons whenever you need to, completing your art training and education in the comfort and convenience of your own home, on your own time.

To see the designs that won the worldwide accolades, go to https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/eye-catching-page-designs-snag-wins-for-st-in-global-contest.

0 Garden exhibition to feature plants used in art

Gardens can be wonderful, peaceful locations that promote learning and enjoyment. Sometimes, it’s just enough to be outdoors, enjoying plants, greenery, trees, sunshine, and fresh air.

However, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is aiming at making being out in beautiful nature even more educational. A new facet of the gardens has opened after more than a year of construction — as well as millions of dollars to develop it. The theme of the feature, which includes new garden grounds, art installations, and a state-of-the-art center, is to educate the public about types of plants that were used by indigenous people in Singapore.

Visitors to this new feature in the gardens have the chance to experience the types of flora and fauna that perhaps their own ancestors encountered. Hundreds of native plants are included, many of which had specific purposes for the people who used to live in this region. Whether it’s a plant whose leaves are used to aid before and after childbirth or a tree with fruit that tastes like almonds, visitors can learn about all of the plants — which include labels — through an innovative online registry that takes them through their history and purpose.

Separate areas of the gardens examine different uses of the plants. In one area, visitors can see and understand how plants were used to make tools for various tasks or discover which plants ancient people foraged for. Another area examines the plants that were used as medicine, such as the one that helped induce labor. Yet another area involves plants that were used symbolically in different cultures. The last area looks at plants that were used for ancient artworks.

The new exhibition’s center highlights the culture and history surrounding the plants. Visitors can view displays about such practices as cash crop farming in the region over the course of history. They can also appreciate more than one hundred art artifacts found in the area that are prime examples of historic masterpieces made from the flora and fauna present in the garden. Fabric and clothing made from plants, as well as instruments from the wood of certain trees, can be found on display. Murals painted on rocks at the site depict some of the heritage events that have occurred there.

The official opening of this new education segment of the Singapore Botanic Gardens has been scheduled to coincide with a special festival. Tours, movie showings, and other attractions will be on tap.

Art can be found wherever you look — if you know how to open your eyes to it. Bring more art into your life by visiting SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a comprehensive website that features educational art articles, affordable art supplies, and a wealth of different art classes you can easily enroll in. From watercolor painting to mural painting, rock painting to acrylic painting, 3-D sculpture to fashion drawing, you will be sure to find a class that will inspire you.

To read more about the Botanic Gardens exhibition, go to https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/58m-attraction-opens-at-botanic-gardens.

0 Singapore features many art jamming opportunities

Art jamming is a gathering of a large group of people for the sole purpose of creating art in a relaxing and communal setting. Singapore has a number of these types of art opportunities, which offer participants the chance to perhaps experience creating art for the first time, especially in that kind of environment. After walking around and taking in some of Singapore’s many public art displays and murals, unwind with a canvas in front of you and a paintbrush in your hand at an art jamming studio. There are many different opportunities to suit anyone’s purpose.

At one jam studio located in the heart of Singapore’s trendiest district, participants can pay a suggested amount to take part in the session, or they can donate what they think the session is worth. It’s an interesting and innovative take on the idea of paying for goods and services. All participants have to do is show up and paint — they pay afterward. All money goes toward a charitable organization.

Another jam studio bills itself as a way to relax and recharge, offering a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. This studio combines the idea of a tea house with the art experience, meaning participants can sip on some hot, soothing brews while creating something beautiful. The teachers here are also able to lead participants through legitimate art therapy sessions, coaxing true self-expression onto the canvas. After the sessions, participants can stick around and enjoy a meal without having to leave the studio.

Art fans of drinking age might enjoy another jam studio, where a complimentary beverage is included with each session. The special part about this particular studio is that there is no time limit. Participants aren’t rushed through their projects — they are free to linger in front of their canvas, perfecting and experimenting whatever they’re working on while they sip on drinks.

Another studio offers electrifying ways to bring out the creative spirit inside of you. Free snacks and drinks go along with energetic jazz music as artists of all abilities work on their various projects. It’s the perfect way to get jazzed up to make some art under the tutelage of experienced instructors.

If you prefer to have a more personalized and professional experience, visit SGArtClass.com today to browse its extensive listing of different art classes you can take. Experience art via a skilled teacher in the comfort and privacy of your own home, or meet your personal instructor in a convenient location. Instructors will work with your busy schedule and tailor their curriculum to suit your creative needs. Whether you’d like to dabble in oil painting or if you want to explore new directions in comic drawing, instructors will be on hand to help you grow as an artist. Enroll in an art class that will ignite your talent today.

To read more about the studios around Singapore that offer art jamming sessions and more, go to https://www.timeout.com/singapore/things-to-do/art-jamming-studios-in-singapore.

0 Art exhibit to remember popular flea market

Maybe it wasn’t the most scenic location in all of Singapore. But a renowned and popular flea market, which closed a year ago, was a place where memories and livelihoods were made. Now, a group of art students have teamed up to feature works of art, as well as a documentary, that all pay tribute to the flea market that once was.

During the flea market’s final days, one of the students filmed the beautiful and chaotic scene. From stalls filled with anything a person could think of to buy to shoppers and vendors haggling over prices, the student captured the daily life of the flea market, including the people who sold their wares there and the individuals who came to find a good deal. Those intimate moments were compiled and edited into a half-hour documentary, which will be screened at the art exhibition.

The documentary won’t be the only work of art on display at the tribute show. A series of painted portraits, photographs, and mixed media art installations will also be featured.

The artist who painted the portrait did so of vendors who plied their items at the market. He visited the market in person and painted the portraits al fresco — right there, having the vendors sit at their stalls for the duration of the painting. This technique captured a special spirit of place and setting, keeping the subjects of the portrait in their home environment. Some of the portraits are heartbreaking, faces of the vendors lined in confusion and pain at having their market taken away.

It was this student who became inspired to organize an art show centered around the flea market’s history and closing. He noticed that he was not the only young person who visited the market in its last days. Other students and people his age also went, sketching, taking photos, and talking to the people who spent their time there. The student called the flea market a heritage site, and talked about the importance of preserving such places — even if they might not be the most aesthetically pleasing in the nation. The student added that, although he and his colleagues were young, they were interested in commemorating their heritage and remembering the stories that took place at the flea market.

Make your mark on the world around you by enrolling in an art class. Art is a wonderfully effective way to express your thoughts and feelings about change, history, and your own life. Visit SGArtClass.com today to browse the extensive list of art classes that are available for you to take. Whether you’d like to learn how to paint portraits or draw caricatures to capture the faces around you, or make abstract acrylic paintings to express your moods as they change throughout the week, there is sure to be a class that will appeal to your creative leanings.

To read more about the art exhibit and the kinds of works that will be featured, go to https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/exhibition-to-remember-once-buzzing-flea-market.

0 Arts CEO may be Singapore creatives’ biggest supporter

One of the most successful arts CEOs in Singapore is remembering his roots, advocating for beginning artists and small arts companies as a way for Singapore’s arts scene to really blossom.

When Colin Goh was first starting out as a music producer, a concert event he booked had so few attendees that he and other organizers felt like they had to go out into the audience to cheer for the indie bands. But that early experience taught Goh something: that the community’s support for the arts was one of the most effective tools for the success of the arts.

Now, as the leader of a nonprofit organization focused to promoting the arts in Singapore, Goh has many more resources at his disposal to elevate developing talent throughout the nation. One of the main tenants of the organization is to provide art education to at-risk youths, meaning that the individuals who would most benefit from art therapy have easy access to it. The company itself subsisted on donations and corporate funding, receiving no monetary aid from the government for its creative work in the community.

In spite of these limited resources, Goh’s organization has expanded to include several arts academies as well as exhibition and performance spaces. All of these expansions have a single mission in mind: to boost the arts in Singapore. Whether students are learning the skills necessary to become more accomplished artists or other, better established creatives are showing their work in spaces, members of the public have the chance to be exposed to the arts in ways they might not have otherwise had. Some of these experiences include discussion panels with different kinds of artists, residency programs, and other ways to develop creativity and understanding collectively.

This is just one phase of Goh’s plan. Before he retires and steps away from the limelight, his biggest goal is to create a self-sustaining art community that actually enables artists to make a viable living off of the work they do. One step is to offer new artists affordable studio space. Since real estate in Singapore can be cost prohibitive, Goh’s company has founded several low-cost studio spaces that are available for reasonable rent for artists. And it’s not just the traditional painters who are able to take advantage of this opportunity. Other creative types, including theater groups, calligraphy artists, and more can use the spaces if they ever become available. In the end, Goh hopes to be able to train artists from a young age and provide them with the tools they need to be successful in their chosen niche.

Start your own creative journey by visiting SGArtClass.com today. Browse educational art articles, shop affordable art supplies, and easily enroll in a number of art classes. From watercolor painting to portrait drawing and everything in between, you will be sure to find a genre to jumpstart your art experience.

To read more about Colin Goh’s mission and his vision for Singapore’s art scene, go to http://thepeakmagazine.com.sg/interviews/why-rice-ceo-colin-goh-champions-singapores-homegrown-artists/.

0 Art classes aimed at differently abled students

Singapore organizations are launching new efforts to make the art scene in the country more inclusive. By involving differently abled artists, the new programming available at an art school in Singapore will broaden the availability of art instruction for future students. These classes will also aim to train students to obtain a job in the art world — a dream that might have previously seemed out of reach to these types of artists.

That doesn’t mean the training will be any less rigorous — just a different approach. Prospective students will still need to have a number of years of art education experience beneath their belts, and there is an application and selection process to navigate.

Still, there are many differently abled artists who are eager at the chance to take part in such advanced art instruction. For one artist who specializes in abstract acrylic painting, he hopes the classes will help him develop his skills as a better visual artist. Some of the pieces he has already created are vibrant studies of colors and shapes. In one, a number of irregularly shaped boxes are outlined and filled with different colors, creating a kind of structure amid the joyful chaos. The artist’s mother agrees that the experience would benefit him. In other classes that might focus too much on theory instead of practice, the artist might suffer. But if he gets the chance to develop skills while actively painting, which he is passionate about, the classes could pay off.

Another differently abled artist specializes in paintings that feature a number of sharply drawn cartoon animals. In one painting, a number of pink birds frolic around a waterway. The effect is cartoonish and compelling, the different movements drawing the viewer’s eye around the canvas. In another painting, schools of bright, differently colored fish navigate the waters, grouped into similar kinds. The artist’s mother looks forward for his opportunity to participate in the newly minted program, saying that such a certificate would be important for his future career as an artist.

The curriculum of the program is specially designed to benefit differently abled students. Lessons will center around taking an idea that might only be living in the artist’s head and being able to get it down in paint, pastel, marker, ink, or whatever medium the artist might be mulling. Another portion of the curriculum will focus on time management, imparting the skills these students require in order to be able to complete an artwork.

Art offers different benefits to everyone who decides to take part in it. If you’ve been looking for a way to bring more art into your life, visit SGArtClass.com today. SGArtClass.com is a comprehensive website that features educational articles, affordable art supplies, and a wealth of art classes you can easily enroll in.

To read more about the new art curriculum that is being made available for art students who are differently abled, go to https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/budding-artists-with-special-needs-can-enrol-in-certificate-course-in-visual.

0 Artist talks collaboration with Puma in Singapore

An English-born, New York City-based artist recently landed a creative partnership with Puma in Singapore. Shantell Martin’s eye-catching line art has served as inspiration for a fashion line with Puma, including sneakers, promotional materials, apparel, and more.

Martin was in Singapore to participate in the special partnership. She remarked that she loved exploring the area and discovering all of its quirks while riding a bicycle around. Singapore is particularly accessible via bike. Local food was another thing she loved about the country, including fresh fruit.

Puma isn’t the first big brand that has sought out Martin’s unique work. She has previously worked with luxury retailer Tiffany’s and even a popular rap artist. After her stay in Singapore, Martin will be working with a tequila company on another artistic collaboration.

To some, Martin’s signature artwork might not appear to be much more than simple doodles. But the line work is reminiscent of a visceral sort of art. On one pair of hightop Puma sneakers, Martin has designed a mischievous face, birds flying through the sky, a sailboat floating on water, as well as a handful of other abstract lines, shapes, and dots. The overall effect is an impetuous piece, perfectly proportioned over the blank canvas of the white shoe. There are so many quirks in the design that it is fun for the viewer to discover all of them. Though they might at first seem to be minimal, Martin encouraged individuals who purchased the sneakers and other pieces to add their own personality. Not many artists would encourage viewers to splash their own colors on to their creative masterpieces, but Martin’s art is different from most. Her canvases are wearable, different from traditional works hanging in museums and galleries. That also means that her work is much more accessible, easy to experience wherever someone might be.

In terms of Martin’s art philosophy, she says she is constantly inspired by her surroundings, as well as her own personality and personal history. Her work in Singapore was inspired by the crowd that had gathered to mark the release of her collaboration, resulting in a exclusive and unique mural inside the Puma Singapore store.

Fashion drawing is just one of many different genres of art that might pique your interest on SGArtClass.com. Visit SGArtClass.com today to browse other genres, including informational articles and classes you can easily enroll in. Whether it’s fashion drawing you’re most interested in or traditional oil painting, mural painting or nail art, there is sure to be a class that will inspire you to grow in your creative process. Expert teachers will be on hand to help you learn the skills you need to complete the projects you’re most interested in. You might just discover a talent you never knew you had.

To read more about the collaboration, as well as Shantell Martin’s other work and art philosophies, go to https://weekender.com.sg/w/z-carousel/unbridled-quirk-5-questions-with-professional-doodler-shantell-martin/.

0 Singaporean tattoo artists talk shop ahead of show

Tattoos have entered the mainstream, and in no place is that more apparent than in Singapore. Whether it’s a minimal design in a discreet area of the body or an entire colorful sleeve, people have embraced body art both in Singapore and throughout the world. Ahead of an exhibition specifically designed around tattoos, a handful of Singaporean tattoo artists were interviewed to talk about their craft and the way the global attitude toward tattoos has shifted.

One tattoo veteran has been interested in changing his body since an early age. While he was still a teenager, he had his tongue split, along with a wealth of different piercings. It was this interest that led him to seek out work as a professional piercer, but business was so infrequent he started dabbling in tattoos. He got experience with a boom of U.S. sailors passing through Singapore, and remains one of the foremost tattoo artists in Singapore. He did, however, experience some pushback with his parents. Through constant communication, though, he was able to convince them that tattoos weren’t such a bad thing, after all — especially since he makes his living through creating them.

Another tattoo artist started his body art journey very informally — in the back of the classroom while he was doing poorly. Because he wanted to give his friends better tattoos, he walked into a tattoo studio, intent on buying better tools. However, once the tattoo artist in residence saw his sketchbook, he became an apprentice at the studio. Now, he has an established shop of his own and an established style — all black and gray realism. He also credits social media and the internet for making his work as popular as it is.

For another tattoo artist, his experience began by getting a back piece tattooed. He asked the artist working on him if it might be possible to have an apprenticeship, and the artist agreed. Without much prior experience, he delved into the world of tattoos. His work speaks for itself, though. He has heard of many clients of other tattoo shops asking for pieces that mimic his own designs — the greatest form of flattery.

Another tattoo artist practiced on his own skin before he started tattooing other people. He wanted to study which tools were right and how the ink interacted with the skin. Now, his tattoos are as unique as himself. In a controlled chaos of black, he creates designs like distinctively powerful elephants and quiet anchors surrounded by abstract lines. It’s entirely possible that his inspiration comes from the first job he had as an industrial designer.

Art is present everywhere in the world — whether it’s on a canvas or somebody’s body. Open your eyes to the art around you by enrolling in an art class via SGArtClass.com. Expert teachers are on hand to help you begin your artistic process.

To read more about tattoo art in Singapore, go to https://augustman.com/sg/pop-culture/art-culture/skin-trade-six-tattoo-artist-share-stories/.

0 Artist responds after work criticized

A Singaporean artist said that he will not censor himself while painting even after one of his works was removed from an art exhibit outside of a Singaporean library.

The artist said he painted the work during the late 1980s while he was part of an art collective. It is unclear whether the work has been displayed before, but when it was a part of an art show by multiple artists in Singapore, the painting garnered criticism and outcry from the public. Concerned that the public space wasn’t the correct place to show the work, organizers removed it. The artist said he agreed with the move, though he personally saw nothing wrong with the painting. Fellow creatives have rallied around the artist, decrying the move to take down the painting, while the public continues to criticize the display of the artwork in the first place.

The painting in question featured what appears to be the back of a nude individual. no facial features are seen, and the body is painted in what appears to be pink watercolor. The figure is positioned astride a large green rooster, who is straining to escape, calling up at the sky. The artist called the work an abstract look at what people must go through when they have to give up their land for development. The artist collective where the painting was created was made from reclaimed farm land. The artist’s own studio had previously been a coop for chickens. As far as the nudity goes, the artist said that the nude figure is one of the most classic subjects in the creative world, and that there was no ill intent to offend viewers or to convey a controversial message. In that vein, the artist said he would continue with his creative process in spite of the vitriol he has been receiving. To him, he said that art is a way to continuously experiment with shape and color. He said he would continue to explore wherever art might take him.

Critics of the artwork said that it promotes values that go against those commonly held in Singapore, going so far as to accuse the artist of creating a painting that shows bestiality. Groups on Facebook went further, saying that the display space, outside of a library, is in a public walking area where many children pass by. To show such a scene to impressionable minds is reprehensible, they said, though supporters of the artist have continued to back up his statements of self-expression.

Art can be a nuanced subject. Educate yourself more about the practice and the process by visiting SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a comprehensive website that hosts informative art articles, discounted art supplies, and a wealth of classes you can easily enroll in. From watercolor painting to charcoal sketching and everything in between, you are sure to find your passion.

To read more about the artist whose work was removed from the exhibition, go to https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/artist-behind-sketch-removed-from-esplanade-responds-to-criticism.

0 Singaporean teen advocates for the arts

Recently, the arts scene in Singapore has come under scrutiny for a number of reasons. Several bastions in art events, including previously successful art shows, have recently been scaled back due to lack of interest and dips in attendance and sales. This has led to a number of pieces examining the viability of Singapore’s art scene. Was it too much, too soon? Did it outgrow residents’ taste for the arts?

In one Singaporean teenager’s opinion, in a letter she wrote to a media outlet, it comes down to a single simple concept: Singaporeans just aren’t appreciating the arts enough.

The letter writer said that she was recently afforded the opportunity to attend two fine arts events — theater and performance art opportunities. It was her first real experience with the Singaporean art scene, and the dual performances left their mark on her. She wondered why, after seeing such displays of incredible creativity, more Singaporeans didn’t go out to see the arts. She also dispelled the notion that many critics say the nation’s art scene is stale. The only reason that the art scene should fail in Singapore is if the nation’s residents don’t give it a proper chance to thrive. People must go to galleries and museums and shows in order to help the scene be successful. Without the participation of visitors and spectators, it’s hard to imagine an art world creating solely for itself.

Through the letter writer’s eyes, establishing a foothold in the art world was still a viable option. Many students today still seek out creative careers — whether it’s as a fine artist or working as a curator in a museum or gallery. Perhaps Singapore should make more of an effort to instill art appreciation into the youngest members of its society — students. There have already been great strides in including more comprehensive art education at the earliest levels, taking simple crafts activities that one might expect in early school years and transforming them into analytical opportunities to grow. Many students also have access to discounted tickets and seats in exhibitions and shows in order to enable them to gain exposure to such performances.

In the end, the letter writer posits that Singapore has a wealth of creative talent that is simply waiting for the right audience. Instead of staying home on a lazy weekend, becoming bored, and eventually binging on something completely numbing on television, Singaporeans should seek out new experiences in the form of attending theater or musical performances, gallery openings and museum exhibitions. They might just see something they really enjoy.

Explore art in your own life through SGArtClass.com. Read informative articles, browse affordable art supplies, and scroll through a ton of art classes you can easily enroll in. From acrylic painting to mural painting and everything in between, there is sure to be lessons that will ignite your creative curiosity and help you start your journey into the art world.

To read the complete opinion letter, go to https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/arts-scene-depends-on-local-support.