Have you been to the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Art and Crafts exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum?

This fantastic exhibition is the first time the Ministry of Education is co-curating this show with the National Art Gallery, Singapore. It is an excellent show of the talents and achievements of our youths today. Centered around the theme of self-discovery this year, the exhibition explores how young people today relate to themselves, the significant people in their lives, as well as to society at large. You will be absolutely amazed at their art-making capabilities as well as the maturity of these student responses.

If you haven’t been there, here is a quick look at what’s in store for you!

When I first encountered Joceline Janice Kuswanto’s Human vs. Mother Nature, I was immediately captivated by its intricate detail, and the mixing of manga-looking characters into a Chinese calligraphy style of representation. This digital illustration piece aims to show how every individual efforts count towards something greater than themselves and how societies are undeniably connected to one another.

Trompel’oeil caught my attention with its unexpected combination of bright, bizarre colours. The sea of enigmatic and somewhat clown-like faces made me wonder what the artist might have been thinking when she created it.

City Life is an unique East-meets-West pieces – one of the few in this exhibition. Using the age old technique of Chinese ink painting, the girls from St. Margaret’s Secondary School represent contemporary themes, showcasing their rendition of Singapore as a bustling metropolis. Note the rapid brushstrokes and application of bright and contemporary colours. Such a wonderfully dynamic art piece!

It’s interesting how these students approach the theme in such different ways. This space differentiates itself from the other parts of the gallery with beautiful lighting effects created by the artwork. I instantly whipped out my camera to capture this amazing visual of Womb. The experience of walking around this work is something you must not miss. I promise you it will be unforgettable.

Doppelganger(s)

The Distances Between People

Doppelganger(s) and The Distances Between People are stunning large-scale visual illusions. Can you see multiple individuals in Doppelganger(s)? I was also surprised at how life-like the people’s faces were in The Distances Between People considering it’s a charcoal on paper piece. You really have to view these works in person to understand the magnitude of their creations.

Simple Wonder is yet another large-scale installation, painstakingly crafted entirely out of paper. The artist wanted to show how a material as simple as paper can become something so grand and magnificent. I was completely amazed at the level of detail and the artist’s incredible craftsmanship. No wonder it won the Gold award in her category!

Don’t you think this is so realistically sculpted? Playing God is a series of mixed media installations that show the paradoxical yet loving nature of the parent-child relationship. This heart-warming installation piece spoke to me, even about my own relationship with my parents growing up. Come down to see the other sculptures for yourself. You’ll be surprised at how it moves you as well.

This is indeed a visual feast for the eyes! Come visit us at the Singapore Art Museum now! This exhibition will last from 23rd July to 22nd August 2010. Don’t miss it!