By The Way - Make Way for Affordable Art

I stumbled into collecting art about 8 years ago when I walked past HaKaren Art Gallery in Tanglin Shopping Mall, and fell in love with a Fang Xiang painting in the window. I didn’t buy it then as I had never bought art before, and mulled and dreamed about it for almost a month before I finally went in on the Hub’s prompting and bought the piece. It’s a huge artwork over a metre on each side and now hangs in my living room; it still gives me the most pleasure of all the artworks I had subsequently bought over the years. That it has almost tripled in value is a side event; I bought it because I liked it.

Lessons in Nature by Fuad

from The Yellow Ribbon Project

I know there can be lots of snob appeal going on in buying art, but I just stick to those I like. Recently I went to the Yellow Ribbon Art Exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum and saw thoughtful and surprisingly good art by done some very talented inmates from the local prisons. I bought one that I liked a lot – Lessons in Nature which cost me only $475, all of which goes to a good cause. And it’s affordable, too. (You can still view and buy them online at http://www.yellowribbonprisonarts.sg/)

To me, art is like wine – all that matters is if you like it, and the snobby people can potter on their own way. If you ask me, I can’t understand some of those super-expensive contemporary Chinese art with chrome dogs with human heads, bright red thin men peeing, and sculptures of fat women with their boobs hanging out. It won’t give me pleasure, more likely nightmares….

The AAF in Amsterdam

Which brings me to Singapore (and Asia’s) first Affordable Art Fair (AAF) in 19-21 November – a fantastic event which brings art to people in an unpretentious, straight-forward way. Head down to the F1 Pit Building (1 Republic Boulevard) from 11am and drink in art for art’s sake. The AAF was created by London art dealer, Will Ramsay in 1999 and is now held annually in eight cities including New York, Amsterdam, Brussels and Sydney. Singapore joins in the fray this year, a skip ahead of Milan which rolls it out only in 2011.

Gallery: Villa del Arte  

Artist: Francoise Nielly

Title of Artwork: Nr 513

Gallery: Vue Privée

Artist: Alex MacLean

Title of Artwork: Phelps Dodge Large Open Pit Mine and Tailings 1, Bagdad, Arizona, USA (Cessna 172)

So what can you expect there? More than 60 galleries from around the world showcasing contemporary artworks ranging from painting, photography and sculpture to drawings and print works. Priced between $100 and $10,000, the bulk of it will be below $7,500, so bring your cheque books and sign away with abandon!

Gallery: Vue Privée

Artist: Yann Chatelin & Alexandre Dupeyron

Title of Artwork: Morocco – 1:17AM

Gallery: OVAS Art Gallery

Artist: Watasayamon Saenghiru
Title of Artwork: The Smile

No need to stick your nose in the air, you’ll get lots of other unpretentious activities like free printmaking demos, free talks by Sotheby’s Institute and even children’s workshops. Take it all in leisurely and stop by for food and drinks at the restaurant, wine bar and café. I will be there.

AAF Brussels

“The success of AAF has been built on debunking the myth that collecting art is only for the rich, its ability to reach out to people from all walks of life, in a new and engaging way,” said Camilla Hewitson, AAF Singapore’s Fair Director. “Most of us think that original art pieces are way beyond our reach, but the stunning success of AAF around the world has proved that this is not the case.” Hear hear!

Tix: Adults $10; Students and Seniors $7 (Pay by OCBC Credit and Debit Cards for a 20% discount off normal ticket prices)

-Ee Waun

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Breakaway – Frieze Art Fair in London

Haute-flying culture vultures and art lovers, flock to the Frieze Art Fair in London (14-17 October) this year and bask in contemporary art overload! Focusing on contemporary art and living artists, the fair at Regent’s Park will feature exhibitions from 173 contemporary art galleries from all over the world, showing works by over 1,000 of the world’s most innovative artists. There’ll also be talks, music and art education programmes for kids and adults.

If your interests are haute, might as well go all the way. During this period, Claridge’s and The Connaught are offering Frieze Art Special deals from 11-17 October, which include stays in a deluxe junior suite, two tickets to Frieze Art Fair and welcome bottle of champagne on arrival. This costs from £950 per night at Claridge’s and from £900 per night at The Connaught.

The Connaught

Claridge's

Bookings can be made at through www.maybourne.com and quote “Frieze Art Special". For more information on the fair, head to http://www.frieze.com/

(Art Fair images from Frieze Art Fair)

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By The Way - Art Attack!

I can’t draw for nuts, but I can appreciate art. I started buying artwork about ten years ago when I moved into my current home and over the years, I noticed that the galleries here are getting plenty of very enjoyable work. I say ‘enjoyable’ because I am no connoisseur – I just know what I like. And I think, like wine, that’s the most important thing – that you like what’s hanging on your wall and it gives you pleasure. Lately there have been some lovely things that have come into the galleries around town…..

I really like Filipino artist Michael Cacnio’s sculptures. I saw them at Utterly Art some years ago and was seriously itching to buy one, but every piece was sold out! His style is so charming, full of life, joy and exhilarating childhood. His latest solo exhibition, Up! has just arrived at Utterly Art and features his signature brass sculptures mixed with pyrex balloons. See the pretty pictures! So tempting! The exhibition runs from now til 18th July. Enough said!

Utterly Art

229A South Bridge Road (2nd Level)

Tel: 6226 2605 or 94872006

Our Simply Fab girl, Tan Wyn-Lyn is also exhibiting her latest series called Weight of Water. It’s her 2nd solo exhibition, which means she is going places! I popped over on her opening night at FOST Gallery off Mohammad Sultan Road and found large, dramatic pieces that reminded me of Chinese landscapes. According to her, these works reflect her “Chinese sensibilities towards contemporary Western abstraction” and that her paintings “hover between nature and abstraction”. Her inspiration is watery and comes from “the ebb and flow of tides, calm pools, stormy seas”. I really like this one here (above). It's called 'When White Turns To Gold'. It comes in three pieces and very drama. I can't afford it though.... Pop in when you’re in the area and take a look. The exhibition is on until end July.

FOST Gallery

65 Kim Yam Road

Tel: 6836 2661

Finally, at The Arts House, Chinese Canadian artist Zhou Su Yin is presenting her solo exhibition, Sound of Ink, from 14 to 24 July. Mainly water colour and calligraphy works, this is the first time she is presenting in Singapore, after a successful show at the United Nations Headquarters, New York in August 2009. Known for her style that ‘embraces the spirit of Eastern philosophy and Western culture” – very Singaporean actually – she is the youngest artist to hold a solo exhibition at the UN Headquarters. Sound Of Ink features 40 art pieces, out of which, nine new works will be unveiled. She says of her art: “I think my works have depths and details like in symphonies, sometimes it can look loud, careful, or quick. The rhythm of the brush, the flow of the water, could be seen and likened to sound.” So if a may paraphrase a memorable quote from last year, “Sit down, shut up, open your eyes and listen!” And in the meantime respect your elders!

1 Parliament Lane

Tel: 6332 6900

- Ee Waun

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Simply Fabulicious People – The Artist, Her Addiction and A Tea Box

We’ve always known we have a fantastic pool of readers from all walks of life, brimming with talent and many with fascinating stories of their own. Sometimes we smack our foreheads and wonder why no one has discovered their stories yet? Then Elaine and I had a stupendous brainwave: let’s feature some of the fabulous ladies (and the odd guy or two) who make up our quaint SimplyFab community! So in this new column of SimplyFab People, we turn the limelight onto the remarkable people in our midst.

First up, meet Wyn-Lyn Tan, 35, a professional artist, journalist and totally fabulicious cool chick!

And because Wyn-Lyn’s a stylish girl who would humour us, we ask her crucial questions we’ve always wanted to ask artists but felt they were too indelicate to mention.

SimplyFab: So, how true is this notion that all artists are ‘starving’? Are you?

Wyn Lyn: Most of the artists I know may be thin, but I don’t think they are starving. More likely we are too preoccupied or inspired with work to eat! But seriously, I think there’s always a way to make a living—if not yet from your art, then at least from a supplementary income. Yes, it won’t be easy juggling two jobs at one time, and splurging on a Gucci bag is definitely out of the question. (And I know of many artists who give up on art because the reality is that it’s hard to survive on just art alone, especially in Singapore.) But I guess one really has to persevere, have a dogged belief in what you are doing and think of the bigger picture. I’m fortunate that I have another income from freelance writing.

SimplyFab: So if our daughters want to run away with an artist, what is your advice?

Wyn Lyn: I would say, by all means let her follow her heart, but he’d better be a dedicated, responsible, talented, hardworking artist. Stick with him and who knows, he may be making a fortune from his art in 15 years time!

SimplyFab: How and why did you become an artist?

Wyn Lyn: My journey towards being an artist was actually a little long-winded. I did the whole “get-a-proper-degree” thing (I have a business degree), worked for a year-plus as a full-time writer, then quit my job to finally pursue a Diploma in Fine Art at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. I had always been very interested in art, and one day realized that hey, it’s now or never. I didn’t want to just do a part-time night art course either, as I was going to make art a profession and not a hobby.

Art is a calling one can’t explain either. You could say it’s a passion that has become as natural as breathing. When I paint, I feel alive—frustrated, sometimes, yes, when a painting is not working—but always, there is excitement, energy, buzz and sense of knowing “this is who I am” that I wouldn’t be able to give up. In a way, art defines my existence. Even when I am not physically painting, I am constantly thinking about a work-in-process. When I am unable to paint, I feel cantankerous and unfulfilled. You could say it’s almost like an addiction. And I’m not talking about getting high on turpentine-sniffing!

SimplyFab: Sorry, but abstract art is all splotches of paint to us. Care to give us a few clever comments which we can bandy about so people think we are really deep?

Wyn Lyn: In general, abstract art is not as much about the subject as about the feeling it invokes. So, you could always offer an opinion on how the art makes you feel—quite foolproof, since one single painting can incite different emotions in each viewer. You could say, “I love the energy (or calmness) in this piece.” You could also comment on the visual, like, “I like how the brush strokes draws you right into the space.” Some other useful phrases to keep up your sleeve: “a playful use of colour” (for a colourful work), “intriguing” (dark colours), “very lyrical” (soft, wash-like paintings). Or simply throw the ball back in the other person’s court by asking for their opinion thus: “This artist has a unique sensibility that is hard to describe. What do you think?”

SimplyFab: We like!! Does that mean abstract artists are deep, dark and emo?...since they seem to appreciate something that most of us don’t understand?

Wyn Lyn: Maybe we’re deep, but not necessarily dark and emo, lah. I prefer to think that we just see things in a different way, that’s all.

SimplyFab: Can we just splotch some paint across a canvas ourselves, frame it and call it art? Will that fly?

Wyn Lyn: Sorry, no. There’s a difference between a simply decorative piece and real art. Real art takes into account factors such as the provenance (or origin) of the artist, his or her reputation and biography as an artist. All these matter when it comes to how much the art is worth.

SimplyFab: How about a quickie on appreciating abstract art in 3-5 tips?

Wyn Lyn: Some elements to look out for:

1.Composition: a good composition has a focal point that draws your eye to it.

2.Line/ Mark/ Stroke: Can be gestural (freeform and loose) or more deliberate. Often used to convey the sense of energy in a painting.

3.Space: The artist’s use of positive and negative space gives the feeling of depth in a painting.

At the end of the day, abstract art is all about feeling. To quote Wassily Kandinsky, one of the first modern abstract painters, “Of all the arts, abstract painting is the most difficult. It demands that you know how to draw well, that you have a heightened sensitivity for composition and for colours, and that you be a true poet. This last is essential."

SimplyFab: If we still don’t see the art in the splotches of paint, what do you advise we do?

Wyn Lyn: Don’t worry, it takes time. Everyone has different preferences; perhaps you simply prefer realism to abstraction.

- By EW

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By The Way - Funky Art Exhibition Just For Kids At SAM

Goodness! We haven’t done a museum post for some time. Well, here’s an exhibition with a difference. The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) has recently launched a Art Garden: Children’s Season (now until 18 July 2010) , an interactive contemporary art exhibition to engage kids and the rest of us who have not grown up. 8Q, the ‘annexe’ building next to the main museum is turned into a “magical art garden” with artworks inspired by nature and created by local and international artists, targeted at children aged four to 12.

Heave the kids to see Walter the rabbit, a giant floating sculpture in the courtyard (Dawn Ng); mechanical flowers ‘grow’ and ‘bloom’ (Geoffrey Drake-Brockman); a beautifully illustrated enchanted forest (Sandra Lee); then ‘grow’ trees and ‘divert’ streams with the help of interactive new media (Theodore Watson and Emily Gobeille) in a funky magical forest.

How about a bit of shopping? Adorable merchandise inspired by Walter, including inflatable toys, tote bags and t-shirts, specially created by Dawn Ng, will also be on sale during the exhibition.

Also just opened is The Learning Gallery, an “interactive learning playhouse” showcasing contemporary artworks for younger visitors, and Programme Space, a new workshop space at SAM at 8Q where kids experience the process of art-making and present their own works.

Singapore Art Museum at 8Q
8 Queen Street

10 am – 7 pm / 9pm Fridays

$10 per adult and $5 for students with ID

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