THE ART
19-year old Muhd Heider did his Breathe Music illustration for the cover of a magazine.
“The theme was music. I was listening to Helter Skelter at the time. So that was how I got the idea for the illustration. Basically, its all about ‘feeling’ the theme. I drew it out first, scanned it in and used photoshop to manipulate the picture.”
THE ART
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Choon Lin not only creates her own toys, she also makes experimental stop-motion animations across various disciplines, including drawing, sculpture and printmaking.
“I am interested in how things are made,” she says, “in particular, the activity of DIY, in which people are involved in a process of putting things or objects together for their own use. People invent their own methods or discover better ways of making things from various instructional guides and resources. A lot of my work comes from an interest in how things are made, fitting of joints, making things work together, and the way materials are manipulated and used.”
THE ART
Celeste En is not restricted by mediums, but agrees that brushwork is her forte. “This piece though, is done with penciled lines and finished with digital coloring,” she says. “It’s about how we often underestimate the power of the spoken word, which can hurt others and ultimately, ourselves.”
THE ART
Chun Kai Feng is an artist with a meticulous dedication to craftsmanship. “I like to draw and make things small,” he says, “I work in a tiny studio in Little India. I am undernourished but I hope I will never give up on making art.”
On his art, “I work with models as they are powerful tools for recapturing and speculating reality, I can indulge in fantasy and am able to express complex layers of information.”
“Modelling can arouse a desire for ambitious fantasy and it is also a place of escape, for confronting interiority, safely away from the rigours of the outside world.”
THE ART
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Taking his inspiration from anime, manga and girls in kimonos, Gene Ho adds a touch of something unexpected to an everyday plastic raincoat.
“Anime and manga have always been my guiding light to all my illustrations. Bold and fine clean lines with soft colors as finishing. I’ve also always been captivated by the kimono in its many forms. The delicacy and beauty of a girl in kimono comes to mind and a sense of serenity flows with it. And I place the girl in different scenarios I have in mind. I like to see my illustrations fused with my surroundings. From furniture to fabrics and products. I name all my girls because I think they should each have their own character and emotions.”
THE ARTIST
After closing down his design studio in 2005, Gene Ho became a full-time freelance illustrator.
“I was in search of greater prospects in the creative circle. Inspired by the vast amount of illustration work, my passion for illustration started to bloom again. I’ve got a few selected illustrators that inspire me, most of which are Japanese. I am a big fan of everything Japanese, especially when it comes to design and architecture and that is why I fuse Japanese elements into my work.”
Spotted! is a digest of fly work by fresh off creatives.
THE DESIGN
Chai Jun Yea used his experience in architecture and his understanding of ergonomics and Modern Asian aesthetics to develop a range of timeless acrylic products. LINE (above) is a horizontal plateau over your lap and can be used as a laptop tray on one side and a breakfast tray on the other side.
Also in the range, LINE2 , a stylish docking station for your laptop that can also be used as an elegant serving tray, and SINE, the equivalent of a table on a couch or bed.
THE DESIGNER
Architect Chai Jun Yea is a Partner in an architectural firm specialised in green architecture. He finds his passion in creating all things simple, innovative, intuitive and beautiful. “I am always inventing, designing and creating new products that benefit the general public.”
Spotted! is a digest of fly work by fresh off creatives.
THE PHOTOGRAPH
Prior to graduation, Stefanie Djie decided to initiate a body of photographic work that would not be loud, nor falsely accessorized; a series that needed no beautification to enhance the image, and yet with the immense intensity that derives from the moment.
“Nudity was almost an immediate honest answer,” says Stefanie, “and yet I truly had not considered that Nakedness would be more than bodies and beliefs, “it is a political and moral minefield” (Greer, 2007). I was almost startled by the response of our culture; nakedness is never perceived as an organic form, but a taboo, a state without clothing. Regardless of the intent of the photographer, a photograph of a naked individual can never be perceived neutrally. What constitutes a problem is not the thing, or the environment where we find the thing, but the conjunction of the two; something unexpected in a usual place, or something usual in an unexpected place. (Winterson, 1985).”
THE DESIGN
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The Ore Playseater is a fantastical chair with a contemporary design and an inbuilt fun factor that will enhance any child’s imagination.
Fadzli explains, “The Ore Playseater explores the creative potential of your child. The chair allows different positions and postures. It’s all about fun and play. Turn it over and you have a stool. Ore intrigues the child’s mind, helps to develop communication and explores the different types of sitting positions other than rocking.”
THE ART
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Influenced by Swiss surrealist, Hans Ruedi Giger’s Alien, Wong Ker used color markers to produce ‘Coelacanth’, a menacing creature that seems to walk the line between playful and grotesque.
Wong Ker explains, “The Coelacanth work is actually based on a cat rather than a fish; more specifically, the skull of a cat. It is primarily an amalgamation of various parts of animals, whether they exist or not. The physiological structure is inspired by H.R. Giger’s Alien, manifested by the ‘bio-mechanical’ tubes nested in the skull and the ‘mouth-within-a-mouth’ peeking out from the jaws. The ‘muscle fibres’ that connect the various parts can also be interpreted as gills, since there is a suggestion that this is an aquatic creature. The shadow lurking in the background is derived from a sea star, a kind of starfish, but its form has been modified to achieve a more ‘alien-like’ and menacing disposition. I have always been fascinated by animal anatomy since very young, especially those of creatures very much different from ourselves, like insects and other invertebrates.”
THE DESIGN
Alicia Koh’s distinctive ‘Spinnable Wheel Bracelet’ packs the lasting memories and the sentimental significance of her grandfather’s old workshop.
“I used elements and properties from his workshop,” Alicia says, “and transferred them onto a jewelry piece; the combination of corrugated texture, perspective vanishing point and a flexible spinnable bicycle wheel …. crafted with reminiscences.”
THE DESIGN
Created by London-based Industrial Designer, Eujin Pei, this A4-size ClampLight has a strong grip on just about any surface around the house.
Eujin explains, “This compact and space saving ambient light can be used at the bed-side, or placed along book shelves, for both function and decorative reasons. The inclusion of the handle design makes one desire to carry and handle the lamp. The energy-saving compact fluorescent lamp conserves power and emits little heat. The lamp is crafted with tough ABS plastic that retains its shape regardless of temperature or rough handling.”
Spotted! is a digest of fly work by fresh off creatives.
THE ART
William Chua aka Xiaobaosg does retro style artwork, inspired by Chinese political poster-art.
“As I am much influenced by Japanese and Chinese culture, vintage or retro design naturally became one of my favorite topics for my artwork. I tried to follow, explore and catch the raw and old style feel of old posters, using their color palettes and textures. This is part 4 of the Panda revolution, which is inspired by the Chinese Cultural Revolution era, with a mixture of some graffiti elements.”
THE DESIGN
Cheah and Derryah, the designers of the Style Damsel label, embrace the challenging curves of a woman’s body by creating streamlined garments that are as body-conscious as they are practical and playful.
Cheah about the design (above), ” The Midnight Blue Frills is made from premium classic midnight blue cotton voile, and it’s flattering silhouette highly compliments the womanly figure. The feminine cascading frills fuse with the primp Mandarin collar to inject a dose of elegance and sophistication into the soft, flowy dress. The V-shaped style-line, and matching sash that finishes off in a sweet bow brings any wearer from corporate-chic to a ladies’ nights out in a snap.”
THE ART
Tuck’s vector work is peppered with images of fantastical, cute-oozing characters. About the inspiration behind his smiley monsters, Tuck says, “I enjoy illustrating weird characters that are strange but yet humorous or cute. I get inspiration from the web, MTV, music and vinyl toys. This illustration consists of different characters I designed by mixing and matching different elements together. You can see a van with a bunny head, a smoking robot with headphones, a green hairy creature with a helmet and goggles, a space helmet with a worm in it etc etc. It is really an awesome way to design strange hybrid characters that make no sense!”
THE DESIGN
Click for full view.
CRISP designers, Brian Law and Tan Sixu, drew their inspiration for the INCONVERSATION floor loungers and low tables from traditional Asian culture, where daily routines of work and play were all performed on the floor.
Brian explains, “A living room should be as it suggests, a “living room”; a space within a home dedicated and faithful to the flow and movement of people and vibrant conversation. Regrettably, degrading social patterns of interaction and the emerging dissolution of the family cluster has effectuated increasing reclusion and disengagement among family members. By infusing emotive qualities and extracting silhouettes and curves from human postures to form different ‘characters‘, the series of floor loungers whimsically cast the impression of people in conversation with one another.”
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Literati is a showcase of poetry, prose and music delivered by talented local writers, storytellers and musicians. Featuring Kamini Ramachandran, Cyril Wong and Jon Chan of Plain Sunset. Organized by Platform (The Label). 29th August, 8pm at The Substation Theatre. Admission: Entry by donation. - #
This is a site-specific dance performance happening this Sep 12-14 at the Night & Day Bar and Gallery. Working together in a grand excavation, choreographer Angela Liong collaborates with video artist Jing Chiang, experimental musicians from Choppa and the ARTS FISSION dancers try to peel away the layers of old wall paints, peer through antique patterns of metal grilles and discover faint stirs of life past lurking behind relentless pulses of life present. The dance performance explores the temporal elements of past in present, old spaces with new uses, and contemplates the possible interface of prosaic modern life with dramatic residue of ancient myth. 12-14 Sep at Night & Day. Two Shows 6:30pm (Daydreams), 10:00pm (Night Musings). Admission: $25 for one show, $45 for two shows. - #
Twin brothers Chun Kaifeng and Chun Kaiqun are displaying an art-as-child's-play aesthetic for their first combined solo exhibitions.At the heart of it all, both artists have much to say about the country they have grown up in. They lampoon amusement parks in an oblique way of questioning why Singapore's tourism image is driven by economic initiatives that can do with more imagination; why childhood past-times have evolved to a sterile, character-less ghost of yesteryear's dirt-under-fingernails' games; or why people are paying money to entertain themselves literally to a spiritual death. Whatever the answer, fun is definitely a main element in this exhibition – streaked with cruelty, danger and violence. 31 Aug - 21 Sept at Post-Museum. - #
TheatreWorks presents RESERVOIR, which investigates one of the lesser-known heritage sites of Singapore, the ruins of the Syonan Jinja. RESERVOIR is devised based on our curiosity as young Singaporean and Japanese artists towards this historical site. Unearthing forgotten myths and stories, we attempt to construct conversations about the shrine. Together, we re-visit the shrine in search of the remains and its forgotten voices. Questioning once again, its relevance to Singapore, and the “Japanese Occupation forces’ uncanny prophesies/visions of Singapore becoming the city of the future”. 28 to 30 Aug, 8pm nightly / 3pm matinee on 30 August at TheareWorks, 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road. Tickets: call 6737 7213 during office hours or email tworks@singnet.com.sg - #
20 year old Singaporean commercial and fashion photographer, Zhang Jingna (aka zemotion) will be presenting her first solo exhibition and official launch of her first book, 'Something Beautiful' at the Arts House, Print Gallery. An ethereal, dreamlike quality permeates Jingna's work with a distinctive cinematographic influence and a quiet confidence and maturity belying her age. 'Something Beautiful' showcases a selection of her collection of photographic work created over the past 2 years. 12 - 23 September 2008, 10am - 10pm daily at The Arts House, Print Gallery. Free admission.
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Photographer Sean Lee will be showing his whimsical new exhibition 'Imaginary Spaces' at Kult Gallery. Ever the consummate dreamer, his work consciously rejects documentation of the real and tangible for exploration of inner pastures. 'Imaginary Spaces' is an attempt to reconstruct his own Elysian Fields, a place where the artist can retreat in his mind. From 15 Aug till 14 Sep, 10am to 6pm on weekdays, at Kult Gallery, Old School Mount Sophia. - #
House's latest adoptee is 20-year-old Malvina Tan, a mixed-media talent specializing in art installation, video art and sound, live performance and creative direction. As part of her adoption, Malvina will interpret the House compound as a personal canvas, planting 8 isolated installations around the theme of 'space'. As part of the program, House will play host to a whole palette of art activities. Until 21 September at House, 8D Dempsey Road. - #
This solo exhibition by Foon Foono will feature selected works by Foon which he has been producing for the past several years. The audience will be offered visual delight through Foon’s work which is very compelling, dark and yet sexy. The subject matter of Foon’s work resolves around the many facets of human characteristics in their vulnerability and fragility. For those who are familiar with Foon’s works, in this exhibition we can see his consistence in presenting bunny-eared and red-nosed human characters in his works. From 15 to 30 August at Artoholic. - #
Wheelock Art Gallery presents artworks by Justin Lee. 26 Jun - 17 Aug, 11am to 9pm daily @ Wheelock Gallery, 6 Scotts Road (Next to Hyatt Hotel). - #Browse our archives by month.
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