Singaporean graphic artist Sonny Liew, who is best known and most lauded for his award-winning graphic novel “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye,” showed audiences a new dimension to his art and performance recently. The artist, along with the help of a director, told a new story called “Becoming Graphic” to a live audience, drawing completely in silence. Audience members witnessed the story take shape via cameras focused on Liew’s workspace that projected the figures and dialogue onto the wall. Completely focused on completing his art efficiently, quickly, and accurately, Liew didn’t speak throughout the performance, instead relying on a series of voice over recordings made previously and the voice work of another actress. What took place was reminiscent of radio performance of yore, where families gathered around a radio to listen to a story unfold, performed by voice actors. This particular showing, however, had the obvious and beneficial twist of Liew’s live drawing.
The gist of the story examined people’s fear of aging, along with stereotypes and misconceptions younger generations have about their predecessors. Of course, there is a lot more going on than just that. There is actually a play within a play, plus semi-autobiographical material, as well as four storylines. If not for the careful input of Liew’s director, one reviewer predicted that the stories were in danger of getting tangled and mushy.
Still, Liew’s hard work shines brilliantly throughout the performance. He truly has a poetic way with words, able to boil them down succinctly, and watching him work during the performance is mesmerizing. The presentation itself is completely innovative, told in interviews with Liew’s loved ones played over the sound system, as well as a group of people making sound effects to bring Liew’s drawings to life. There were also speech bubbles deployed with words that had a great effect on propelling the story forward or making commentary on the things the audience was witnessing.
While the art and presentation of the show was beautiful, some of the themes were not. There was a sense of hopelessness present, especially as the audience learned Liew wished to purchase a house for his aging mother even as she shamed him for having adult magazines in the house, as well as dreaming up cures for his ill father.
Performance art is just one facet of the art world. There are many ways to find your space in the creative world. You just have to know where to look. Visit SGArtClass.com to begin browsing all the multiple art classes you can enroll in. Whether you’re interested in video art, comic drawing, acrylic painting, nail art, or another genre, there is sure to be a class suited for your interests. Professional teachers will be on hand to help guide you through a curriculum that will ensure you learn the skills necessary to complete projects you’re passionate about.
To read more about Sonny Liew’s sketching session, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/stripping-down-to-hard-truths.