Now on its 7th year, Art Stage Singapore is something that I look forward to each year mainly because it is a great way to learn about the many talented artists in the region. As with years past (I've been to at least three), this one did not disappoint but unlike before I did not feel too overwhelmed, perhaps because I visited earlier in the day...though I must say that 120 exhibits is still a lot to take in one day!
In any case, these are my top picks this year, in no particular order. Disclosure: I am not an art expert though I do appreciate good art when I see one. I would say my choice is driven by any or all of these things: craftmanship and dedication, innovativeness of material including recycling, uniqueness of concept, and relevance especially social. There are also artworks that I love simply for their sheer aesthetic value - those that do not require profound processing. So here we go!
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| A statement of HOPE by Phunk Singapore, being watched over by this almost-real security guard:) The mural is a collage of the key events that defined 2016 including death of celebrity icons (David Bowie, Prince), political upheavals and surprises (Brexit, Trump) among others. |
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| Norberto Roldan is one of the artists with a socially-relevant statement. His Hornet dyptich aims to "reflect on the apathy towards a capitalist economy sustained by senseless wars". The quote is borrowed from Jack Kerouac. |
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| Jose Tence Ruiz's CSI: Chimoy Si Imbisibol - another social statement, this time about the alienation of domestic helpers (Chimoy is colloguial for household helper). The white clinical attires signify the divide between the figures and their surroundings. The exhibit is a set of 7 painted prints depicitng different aspects of housework. The gallery assistant told me that the artist would only sell if bought as a set because otherwise each painting will not hold on its own. If interested, you can sign a check for US $48,000! |
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| Motorcycle diaries by Jim Allen Abel from Yogyakarta. This to me is a great way of capturing and presenting the "impact and ironies of the city's socio-economic conditions". One only needs to look closer at these rearview mirrors to see...everyday things that we take for granted but that an artist would see differently. |
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| Weapons for the Citizen by Anon Pairot from Thailand. This time the artist asks a question as a form of making his statement, i.e., he questions Thailand's military budget for its growing share of the pie. The 'weapons' are made of textile from the different regions of Thailand. |
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| Hyperphoto of shophouses in Singapore by Jean-Francois Rauzier. I asked about the artist' process: apparently he came to Singapore several times in 2016 and had taken 55,000 photos of shophouses, out of which he selected 3,000 photos represented in this work. While I was looking at this, a fellow visitor came over and was pleasantly surprised to see a former home in the photo:) |
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| More We, Less Me by Tromorama from Indonesia. These represent the X-ray records of the three artists who grew up together and are working together. This speaks more of collaboration and less of being individualistic. |
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| Another Thai-born artist (now Australian-based) Vipoo Srivilasa is behind this ceramic art. I love the aesthetics, the seeming simplicity but is in fact intricate upon closer inspection. |
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| a colourful set-up |
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| At an Indian gallery. What captured my attention was the blue installation which is made of water and softdrink bottle caps. |
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| From Malaysian artist Haffendi Anuar. These posts are made of ordinary, plastic plates and bowls covered with at least 50 layers of paint. |
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| Saki Sumida, oil on canvas |
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| Another Norberto Roldan, this time with his Taksu. He had similar presentations in last year's fair, which was how I came to learn about this great artist. |
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| Eddy Susanto and his Kalathilda towards capitalism - another social statement against capitalism, the bank notes, the insatiable pigs, etc...Capitalism seems to be a common theme among many artists at the fair. |
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| Richard Streitmatter-Tran and Prasert Yodkaew working on their craft. They seem to have a fan base (and a reputation for setting their work on fire, literally!) as a relatively big group of Japanese women came over upon recognition of their work. The artists mentioned that they were not setting their work on fire this time. |
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| White Love by Ramin Shirdel. One can see the 'Love' only at a certain angle. There is another work that speaks about Love (being the answer), but this one wins hands down because of craftmanship. |
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| Carmen Ilan's 'Ballot' (paper) made from high-quality scan |
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| I initially thought this was a photograph. It is a painting in oil on canvas by Israeli artist Yigel Ozeri |
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| Todd Murphy. I thought the use of palm leaves (banaba?) is ingenious. |
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Purple. Tea. Cat. What is there not to love? Morning Hours by Ohata Shintaro.
(For me, it's the hours that I don't like:) |
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| Another returnee - Zheng Lu - known for his gravity-defying work |
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| A universal truth in arty rendition. Oil on board by Yoshitomo Nara |
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| Patrick Hughes, Oil on board construction. I also saw his work for the first time in last year's fair. |
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| Do Japanese love cats? (Hello, Kitty!) Osamu Watanabe's Sweet Cat - chocolate and short hair. Made of tiny shells. |
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| Entang Wiharso's Double Story |
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Sopheap Pich's Rooftop Lines, made of bamboo, rattan, wire, etc...
Again, one can see an artist's discipline, resourcefulness, dedication,
and craftmanship in this artwork. |
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| Understanding Beyond Words, mixed media by South Korean artist Kim, Yun-Sik. He was around today and I was lucky that I had a chance to take his photo:) |
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| A 'sharp' Che Guevara, made of razor blades also by Kim Yun-Sik |
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| The greenery appeals to me (Pantone's colour of the year:) Kazuya Sakamoto's oil on canvas |
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| Nobuaki Takekawa's Four Cycle of Racism - Intake, Compression, Power, Exhaust. Acrylic on canvas. |
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| Yudi Sulistiyo's mixed media - he is one of the featured artists this year. |
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| Public Art installation just outside the Expo entrance. Indieguerillas Taman Budaya's No Bed Rest for the Wicked. Yes I agree ;) |
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| A bittersweet moment for me was seeing the work of Filipina artist Pacita Abad, famous for her paintings on the Alkaff Bridge of Singapore, who passed away a few years back. I came to learn today that she produced a great volume of visual arts. Some of her work are available at Art-2 Gallery |
Overall, I would say that I had enjoyed the exhibit more this year and it could be because I did a few things differently. If you plan to go (this year or next), perhaps these, too, might help:
1. Go early before the afternoon crowd descends. This will give you more time to savour outstanding works in relative quiet;
2. Wear comfortable shoes...it's easy to hit 10,000 steps if you visit all the galleries given the vastness of the hall;
3. Before you start, get your free tote bag - it comes in handy for all the brochures and the free art magazines. You can collect the latter from booths outside the expo hall;
4. Ask what the installation means. I've learned a lot more by asking gallery representatives (most have insider knowledge of the artist's process and motivations) rather than just from reading the brochures;
5. Check if the artist is around - I was fortunate to meet and talk with a few artists who happened to be around;
6. You can take a break in between. There is a cafe inside where coffee and pastries seem to be priced reasonably;
7. When it gets too much, remind yourself that you are there to appreciate art for what it is. While visual arts can be mind-opening and often used as social or political statements, art should also be there just for sheer aesthetic joy.
Till next year!
#ArtStage #ArtStageSingapore2017 #NorbertoRoldan #PacitaAbad #Phunk #JoseTenceRuiz #JimAllenAbel #AnonPairot #JeanFrancoisRauzier #VipooSrivilasa #RaviChandra #HaffendiAnuar #SakiSumida #RaminShirdel #YoshitomoNara #PatrickHughes #NobuakiTakekawa #EddySusanto
