Category Archives for "Blog"

0 Gallery owner talks Singapore art scene

Jasdeep Sandhu, a gallery owner in Singapore who recently opened another venue in Indonesia, recently chatted with a publication regarding the state of the art world in Singapore, including discussing such topics as the local art market and its collectors as well as public support for the arts and the future of the scene as we know it.

Sandhu is impressed with the recent growth of the art market in Singapore. Even within the past five years, the nation has seen an increase in both art interest and collecting, meaning that there is more money available for artists, galleries, and museums to pursue other creative initiatives. Though a recent economic downturn has slowed some of the exciting growth in the art world, Sandhu has expanded into a large warehouse space in Singapore as well as a new gallery in Indonesia.

Historically, art collectors in Singapore have been few in number, but their tastes for fine art have more than made up for it. The majority of buyers of Singaporean art have been Singaporeans and expatriates living in the country, though that demographic is starting to change, according to Sandhu. Many young business professionals are now discovering the joy of collecting art, and they have been particularly responsive to purchasing contemporary art. This is positive for the future of art in the country because more collectors in a broader range of art types means more money for artists and galleries. This, in turn, will make it so galleries can promote even more artists, as well as participate in art fairs like Art Stage Singapore in order to give visibility to those artists.

The Singaporean government has been instrumental in the recent surge of art in the country. This is particularly exciting because even just two decades ago, the government had in place a ban on performance art. Now, however, attitudes have shifted and the government is working to understand and promote all different types of artists and their artworks. This is evident in support for the Singapore Art Museum, an important place for regional contemporary art, as well as the opening of the behemoth National Gallery Singapore, which is an exciting leap ahead for Southeastern Asian art.

In the future, Sandhu predicts that the art scene in Singapore will continue to grow and mature. With a renewed freedom to express themselves and encouragement to do so, artists will continue to examine both Singapore’s culture and history as well as the culture throughout the region. Collectors will continue to fund these endeavors, adding the necessary support for artists’ visions to be realized.

With such a renewed emphasis on art, now is the perfect time to explore the art world by taking an art class. Visit SGArtClass.com today for a comprehensive listing of art classes that you can take. Engage with an expert teacher in a genre of your choosing to start your artistic journey.

To read the question and answer session with Jasdeep Sandhu, go to http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1338959/national-spotlight-state-of-the-art-scene-in-singapore.

0 Singapore digital art celebration examined

Even though Singapore’s digital art festival is using an archaic word to name itself, the work presented at the event is decidedly cutting edge.

The Betwixt Festival puts works by recent graduates and those who have still yet to graduate from school, all with abundant experience in the world of digital art, creating a rich collection of innovative art for viewers that range mostly young. The word “betwixt,” an old moniker for “between,” was picked on purpose by organizers of the event to debunk the idea that digital art comes from the future. In reality, digital art is all around us, at every moment, very much a part of modern life.

The festival spotlights loads of different types of interactive digital art, including one display in which participants can stand in front of a projection and “gather” digital letters simply using their body forms. The optics conceived by the artist of the exhibit showcases the idea of reactive art — or, art that reacts when a viewer participates with it.

Another interactive exhibit is a QR code within a frame, which redefines the art of portraits in terms of geolocation tracking. It also explores the ideas of smartphones as devices for portraits — as many people use them to take self-portraits, or selfies — and the data collection that adds another dimension to the practice.

Other exhibits present throughout the festival include a clock that doesn’t quite tell time in a traditional notion, works by secondary school students that came about via a workshop hosted by the festival’s organizers, and a hashtag collection of memories. The Betwixt Festival will also feature lectures, panel discussions, and classes to help all those interested learn about optics and reactive art. Many of the talks centered on such issues as women, art, and technology, as well as digital art in the Southeastern Asian region. These broad topics were complemented by individual talks by the artists themselves, speaking on their personal experiences with digital art. This digital arts festival looks to be a savvy addition to Singapore’s ever-expanding collection of art festivals and events. Organizers gave a tease to next year’s festival’s name in what could be an insight into Singapore’s efforts to become a technologically advanced “smart city.”

Digital art is simply one more facet of the wide world of artistic genres. Artists can create digital art while coding on computers, using art apps on iPads or other smart devices, or even trying out graphics apps on their smartphones. If you’re in any way interested in technology and art and all combinations of the two, consider signing up for a class on digital art today via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is a website that consolidates listings of art classes and connects students with expert teachers for an incredible learning experience. Your teacher will be able to lead you through whichever projects most interest you.

For more on the digital art fair, go to http://www.themalaymailonline.com/features/article/a-look-at-betwixt-festival-singapores-first-homegrown-digital-arts-festival.

0 Workspace to host art gallery, among other amenities

A company focused on financial technology has recently opened a co-working space that is free to use and contains such perks as a coffee bar and an art gallery.

The space will be mostly occupied by fellow financial technology companies in the heart of Singapore’s startup and innovation district. The space itself is clean and modern, offering a technologically advanced common space for presentations and video conferences with plenty of chairs. Other parts of the co-working center offer a library with books curated by the founding company, Life.SREDA. These books range on inspirational topics on financial technology innovations and are meant to inspire the people who work in that space. The decor and lighting within the co-working space is tasteful and modern, with Edison bulb light fixtures hanging down from an exposed drop ceiling, dove gray walls and cabinetry, and sleek, future-forward furniture. There are plenty of shelves for displaying art and artifacts, as well as any other decor items meant to inspire the minds who work there. There is also a wide range of seating options for individual work, group work, discussions, meetings, and more.

The art gallery component of the co-working space will feature notable artworks from international artists, which is meant to inspire the people who work inside of the space to think outside of the box of their own personal experiences to come up with tech solutions for their respective companies. The collection will rotate exhibits in a timely fashion.

The coffee bar on site will often feature an in-house barista there to whip up workers’ favorite caffeinated beverages, making it truly a one-stop facility for those who use it. There are future plans in the works to host classes, discussions, and mentorship opportunities for entrepreneurs who come through the co-working space.

The motivation behind the co-working facility is to gather new and experienced minds in financial technology, no matter what particular company they might work for, and use their collective knowledge and wisdom to grow and develop the financial technology sector in Singapore, organizers said. Having all of that knowledge in one space will surely foster discussions and problem solving sessions to address ongoing challenges and grow an important part of Singapore’s economy.

Co-working is a unique way to foment new and innovative solutions. Think about getting a group of friends together in a common or co-working space to take an art class. Art classes are instrumental in helping participants develop all kinds of new skills, including creative problem solving. Taking an art class via SGArtClass.com with a group of coworkers would be a great way to take a new approach on a client or project that has been stumping you at work. Our expert teachers will help you develop talents you might have never known you had, and you’ll have fun in the process.

To read more about the new workspace, go to https://e27.co/singapores-new-co-working-space-houses-a-library-cafe-and-an-art-gallery-20160301/.

0 Playful events add color to National Gallery festivities

A new festival planned to celebration National Gallery Singapore’s first anniversary is set to return year after year, bringing a playful vibe to the renowned museum. The Gallery Light To Night Festival brings together musical performances, interactive art exhibits, and a lot of fun for visitors to the facility, ensuring that the event will be on tap for years to come, entertaining both newcomers and repeat fans of the museum.

The majority of the exhibits that will be on display as a part of the celebratory event are inspired by the works contained in National Gallery Singapore, which houses the biggest collection of Southeast Asian art in the entire world. A museum official says that the festival is something special the museum planned to give back to its supporters, whose visits made the facility a resounding success. The museum saw a million and a half visitors in its first year of being open.

While National Gallery Singapore has seen some challenges with visitors touching artworks that aren’t meant to be interacted with in a hands-on way, many of the works for the Gallery Light To Night Festival welcome interaction with participants. There are also many humorous references to more serious masterpieces inside the museum. One piece is a cardboard rendering of a pagoda-style robot, which echoes an oil painting with pagodas as the subject within the museum.

Another homage to a painting of an artist and his model has undergone the yarn-bombing treatment by a Singapore chapter of the movement, which uses art and crochet work to cover everything from trees and bicycles to apparently works of art. This exhibit is organized in conjunction with an interactive workshop that shows participants how to create their own yarn-bombed masterpieces.

Yet another exhibit wouldn’t be as special if people didn’t touch and interact with it. “Affinity” is a multi-colored piece with giant spheres attached to each other with long poles, almost like a molecular representation of a substance. Visitors touch the globes to have them change colors, constantly changing the look of the sculpture.

Other high points of the festival include an enormous light show featuring tubes of paint and paintbrushes in the city hall area of National Gallery Singapore. Film screening and musical acts will help round out the special event.

Celebrate a year of National Gallery Singapore by enrolling in an art class today. Visit SGArtClass.com to see the wealth of art classes available to you. Whether you’re interested in oil painting or assemblage art, digital art or portrait drawing, there is a class that you will enjoy. Instead of going out with your friends for another night out on the weekend, consider signing everyone up for an art class. Together, you can complete projects and make lasting memories while possibly uncovering a passion for art you were never aware of before.

To read more about what will be included in the new festival at National Gallery Singapore, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/party-till-3am-at-national-gallery-singapore.

0 Abundant art a great reason to visit Singapore

Though Singapore has been previously known for its focus on business ventures, more and more often, it has been lauded for its devotion to the development of arts and culture. There’s no better time than the present to visit Singapore to take in some of its many art installations, exhibits, and museums. And if you already live there, try looking for some art in unexpected places.

These unexpected places might be on the sides of buildings throughout different sectors of the country. One large piece, featuring a girl cuddling with a lion cub, is an artwork completed by a renowned graffiti artist born in Lithuania. Other pieces dot the buildings throughout the city, offering surprising pops of color and line and form on what is usually dull concrete walls. Murals abound, brightening commutes everywhere.

Public art is not limited just to the dimensions of walls throughout Singapore. Many other freestanding sculptures work to beautify the area — from abstract creations to the traveling forms of white collar workers to an elephant commemorating historical events. To catch an eyeful of art in Singapore, one simply has to keep their eyes open while walking around.

To purposefully seek out some of Singapore’s largest arts offerings, visit the nation’s museum district. There you will find the recently opened National Gallery Singapore, an immense expanse constructed from the historic buildings of the nation’s former supreme court and city hall. It would be hard to see everything that National Gallery Singapore has to offer in a single day, especially for lovers of art, and it would be most recommended to download an app to help navigate the five floors filed with sculptures, paintings, and much more. You can also attend a daily tour provided by the museum to offer more insight on key pieces and the overall layout inside.

Available via a complimentary bus service is access to nearby art museums in the area, including the classic Singapore Art Museum, a place for displaying contemporary art. One such exhibit requires an entire room to display, which is a series of video screens capturing moments of expression from visitors to the museum. It represents the artist’s views on democracy.

You don’t have to understand art to appreciate all of the creative offerings of Singapore. Simply walk through one of the country’s numerous art galleries or museums to soak in all of the art.

Ready to participate in Singapore’s blossoming art scene? It’s easier than you realize to sign up for an art class, even if you don’t have any art experience whatsoever. By visiting SGArtClass.com, it’s simple to browse through dozens of different art classes encompassing every artistic genre imaginable. Once you find the one that’s right for you, you can work with an expert teacher to find time in your busy schedule to pursue your new artistic interests.

For more on art venues to visit in Singapore, go to http://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/tourists-and-expats/876276/art-on-the-bay.

0 Report: Gallery owner scammed businessman

A popular art gallery owner has been charged with scamming a business mogul over the sale of a sculpture by a Colombian artist. The mogul is looking to get back the $1.6 million he paid for the artwork plus shipping, as the masterpiece never arrived.

Bank statements signed by the defendant, Jasmine Tay, show that she moved the money that the mogul, Tahir, gave her to another account in London. Tay herself had signed the forms, meaning she was aware of the transaction of the funds. But now her bank statements show that no such transaction took place.

Adding to the mess is the fact that Tay has been refusing to release her finances to the court, which ordered her to do so. In November 2015, she declared bankruptcy and has faced more than a dozen lawsuits and bankruptcy applications since then from multiple companies that allege she still owes them payments.

After Tahir bought the sculpture in March 2014, the purchase was canceled in July of that same year. The reasons as to why the sale was called off differ depending on who is asked. Tahir says that Tay never showed sufficient evidence that she was shipping the sculpture to him, so he canceled the sale. Tay said that Tahir canceled the sale because he believed the sculpture was fake.

Tahir has filed two lawsuits against Tay: one to recoup his money, which was dropped after they reached a settlement, and the other when she continued to fail to pay him. Tay ignored a court order to show her assets to see how she could pay him, and skipped a court date. She continued to ignore further instructions and court dates, citing a variety of excuses as to why she didn’t complete orders or appear in front of the judge. At a recent court date that she finally did attend, a judge once again commanded her to reveal her assets at a later date, informing her that it was a very serious matter. She will be sentenced in the case following that date.

Are you interested in art in all the forms it comes in? Do even news stories about art pique your curiosity? Perhaps it’s time to embrace your creative wanderings by enrolling in an art class. Direct your browser to SGArtClass.com to examine a comprehensive listing of art classes available. SGArtClass.com organizes a wide variety of classes on different subjects for potential students to think about prior to enrolling. If you came to the website to sign up for a class on acrylic painting but another class on nail art looked interesting, think about pursing something that might surprise you. Once you do sign up for a class, a teacher will be in touch with you about scheduling lessons around your busy day. You have the option of hosting the teacher in your home for convenient and personal one-on-one lessons, or you can meet in a common classroom.

For more on the case, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/art-gallery-owner-accused-of-scamming-tycoon.

0 Artist’s controversial graphic novel recounts Singapore history

A graphic novel first thought to be a biography on a real artist has emerged as a gorgeous but controversial telling of Singaporean history. Real-life artist Sonny Liew’s work, “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye,” is a masterful and beautiful graphic novel that attempts to tackle touchy parts of the country’s formation in a palatable way. When the government withdrew a grant to help with the publishing of the work on the grounds that the work questions the legitimacy of the government, Liew’s graphic novel became even more popular. The move to withdraw funding was a marketing boost that the publishers never saw coming, and now, the book is part of one of the most important discussions on art and censorship.

Several initial printings of the graphic novel sold out completely, a testament to just how popular this important tome has become. Liew answered questions about his book recently with a reporter.

Liew described his upbringing in Singapore as being aware that some parts of history were being glossed over, revised, or left out entirely. He decided that a comic might be the best approach to address Singapore’s history, or at least his understanding of it, knowing that some people might not be entirely familiar with it. He said that he covered historical people and topics in the frame of a story about an artist, looking to convey the right tone and still remain accessible to as wide an audience as possible.

Liew also tackled the controversial parts of history, starting with Singapore’s founding. He used multiple layers of storytelling and art to explore all the different layers of reality present in history — the history the government wishes for the populace to believe, and the history the populace actually subscribes to. Liew interviewed several historians and citizens to gather all of these different versions and understandings of history, and told the narrative over decades of the fictional artist’s life.

One thing that may have confused initial readers and reviewers was that Liew used real pieces of arts, as well as many different styles, to tell his story. That’s why they thought it was a genuine biography of a single artist when it turned out to be, in fact, a biography of an entire nation.

Would you be surprised to learn that comics are an artistic form? Many graphic novels of today are also quite literary, meaning that both legitimate artists and writers can embrace this new art form. Sign up for a class on comic drawing or caricature drawing today by visiting SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com offers a huge variety of different classes and interests all in one spot. Expert teachers will work with you to develop lessons that cater to your specific tastes. If you’d like to learn how to use storyboards and dialogue to move your comic along, you will be able to work with your teacher to do so.

To learn more about the graphic novel and its author and artist, go to http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/liews-art-of-charlie-chan-hock-chye-tells-singapores-secret-history.

0 Two French artists on display at Opera Gallery Singapore

A pair of French artists — one a sculptor and the other a photographer — will have collections of their work on display at the Opera Gallery Singapore. Though both are from France, this is the first time they will be on display together.

Sculptor Mauro Corda works in cold mediums — steel, bronze, and other immovable metals and rocks — that contrast sharply with his playful subjects. Many of his figures are strangely contorted in ways that only professional circus performers might be able to do. However, in spite of their contortions, the subjects are doing such mundane things as examining a smartphone. Another sculpture of a contortionist shows the back bent completely and the subject resting his face in his hands, bored even though his entire world is upside down. People aren’t his only mode of communication. In another piece of display as a part of the exhibit, Corda has constructed a ferocious, long-fanged bear out of white resin roaring for eternity.

Photographer Gerard Rancinan, who has covered a variety of world events through his lens, has instead displayed some of his more surreal photos as a part of the Opera Gallery Singapore exhibit. One of them features a group of five boys in club uniform but all wearing Batman masks, posed by a tent perhaps on a camping vacation. On the other side of the tent is an adult leader of the club, also in uniform and batman mask. The shot has been highly stylized and includes a dog eating from a bowl, a kite flying in the sky, and gray, stormy-looking clouds. The background is a flawless white. Another photo features what appears to be a family of people wearing business clothes with cardboard boxes upended over their heads. Each one bears a pair of television antenna and a message — news, fashion, play, and dream. The true message behind this photograph is open to interpretation, but one might guess that these words are the most important things each person gleans when consuming media. To the right of the composition, a dalmatian dog sniffs at the family. Again, the background is completely white.

Both of the artists have had past shows at the Opera Gallery Singapore venue.

Art takes on all forms, and sculpture and photography are just two of many. There is likely an art genre out there for everyone, including assemblage art, caricature drawing, and oil painting. If you’ve always wanted to learn more about a particular art form but have never taken the time to do so, consider browsing the wide selection of art classes available via SGArtClass.com. SGArtClass.com is an easy way to see all the different art classes you can take and then sign up for one, connecting with an expert teacher ready to help you get started on your artistic journey.

To read more about the exhibit at Opera Gallery Singapore, go to http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/1334791/gerard-rancinan-and-mauro-cordas-modern-take-on-art-history.

0 Singaporean artistic duos discusses triumphs

It’s hard to balance work and free time, but several powerful artistic couples in Singapore manage to do just that. With both husband and wife working in the art world, three couples were interviewed to discover how they keep work and their relationships separate — or not.

One couple is big in the dance world. Enjoying nearly 20 years of marriage together, and a small child, the couple splits their time between the theater and home. The husband teaches theater classes and choreographs while the wife dances and uses her flexible schedule to care for their child. While it can be challenging to continue to do art with a family to consider, this couple performs remarkably. Their personalities complement each other, and any artistic differences they might have come from the same place. They both care deeply about the artistic dances they create and want them to be the best possible. The couple recently came out of retirement to perform at a special event, and both had the wisdom to create and follow choreography to better suit their injury-riddled bodies.

Another couple are both comedians. The husband and wife used to perform in Bollywood dance groups, and now have spread their wings in standup comedy. The two both have different approaches to comedy, which means that their humor comes from unique places. That doesn’t stop them from having a close relationship, or understanding that different people might prefer one of them over the other because of their style of comedy. They also understand that they need to respect each other’s career decisions and never try to interfere unless one of them asks for help.

The husband and wife in the final couple are both visual artists. Both of them have wildly different personalities, as one has a quick temper and the other remains placid through most situations. This means that they balance each other out, and being from the same art world has its advantages. The husband and wife can critique each other’s work with the truth and unique understanding for the work since they’re both artists. They push each other to become better, working on their own respective weaknesses as well as each other’s. It helps that the artistic mediums each prefers are vastly different, meaning that there is never any creative tension or competition that could divide them.

Think about enrolling you and your significant other in an art class today via SGArtClass.com. Become a creative power couple by meeting with an expert teacher who will lead you through all the steps of becoming a more knowledgable artist. SGArtClass.com works with potential students, offering a wide selection of art classes covering every topic. Teachers can meet with students at the student’s house or in a common classroom, whichever is more comfortable and convenient. No significant other? Get a group of friends or coworkers together to stretch your creative muscles and learn a new skill.

For more on the artistic couples, go to http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/arts/singapores-art-power-couples-secrets-their-success?singlepage=true.

0 Former Singaporean artist to display masterpieces

Around 20 years after he left Singapore to pursue art abroad, Singaporean native Lee Teck Suan will be returning to the country to display some of his new artworks.

Lee has been working on large canvases with Chinese ink and acrylic paint, creating enormous works with vibrant colors and energy. The artworks are exciting to look at. The vivid acrylic paints provide the exhilarating background to impulsive and bold lines of Chinese ink, splattered and stroked across the expanses of the canvas. Almost overwhelming in their size and energy, the pieces are a part of a tour Lee is embarking on throughout the Southeastern Asian region. The Singapore show will take place likely some time in June.

Lee hasn’t stopped his creative work since leaving Singapore a couple of decades ago. His masterpieces have been on display throughout the world, reflecting an appreciation from the global art community for his talented works.

Lee’s interest in visual art ignited when he was a small child. He was taught by many important first generation Singaporean artists, placing him in an important role historically for the art scene in the country. He took away much knowledge and wisdom from these foremost artistic minds, who remain highly influential in the creative scene in Singapore.

The title of Lee’s new exhibition is a musing on the biblical Tower of Babel. As the story goes, the civilization of Babel was growing so advanced that its members decided they were as mighty as gods. They decided to design and build a tower so high that it pierced the veil between the worlds of men and gods. However, in doing so, God punished their egoism by making it so that all of the people of Babel spoke different languages and become unable to understand one another. Lee seeks to defy lingual and cultural differences by using a universal language — abstract art — to convey his exuberance at life and art. Even if a viewer doesn’t speak the same language that Lee does, they will still be able to interpret what he is seeing, saying, and feeling by experiencing the bold lines of his Chinese ink and acrylic masterpieces.

Start communicating with a wider audience through art by signing up to take a class today. Even if you don’t have any experience as an artist, you can easily browse a selection of different art classes via SGArtClass.com from the comfort of your own home. SGArtClass.com is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to explore your creative interests. Teachers will work around your busy schedule to find the best times and places to meet with you. Whether you’re interested in learning about sketching, drawing with pastels, creating landscapes with oil paint, or any other artistic genre, SGArtClass.com is sure to offer lessons that will excite you. If you’re nervous about beginning a class by yourself, consider inviting a group of friends to join you.

For more on the upcoming show and the artist, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/modern-chinese-ink-painter-to-show-works.