The Wisdom Beyond Borders series of art exhibitions and related programs started in Thailand with its meaningful mission of reviving traditional proverbs through contemporary art. We learnt from proverbs expert and author, Professor Mineke Schipper of The Netherlands, that different cultures curiously wrapped similar folk wisdom.

Professor Mineke Schipper speaking a few words at the opening reception of Wisdom Beyond Borders

Singapore(-based) artists Mr William Sim, Ms Diana Francis, Mr Andy Yang, Mindflyer and Mr Dominic Fonde, amongst others, kindly contributed their valuable art works which were auctioned off on 16 Feb 12 in aid of Thai flood victims. Read the rest of this entry »

The annual wait to enter a bunch of stranger’s house and poke through their personal items and art collections is back! Just kidding!! I meant the annual arts walkabout in the heartland is back. 15 artists, 6 homes and 1 temple and some shady back alley. Oh! Open House is going to occupy Tiong Bahru for 2 weekends.

Into its third year, the arts walkabout brings visitors to Singapore’s most eclectic neighbourhood, Tiong Bahru. With its unique art deco architecture and lied back rustic atmosphere, having the third OH! Open House at Tiong Bahru was the ideal choice for the organiser as blending contemporary art with the everyday is just like living in this lovely estate.
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For this coming year-end, treat yourself to little colourful surprises from Desmond Sim’s latest collection of paintings, where he continues his journey remembering juvenile mischief and pleasures.

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As I watched the film, “HEARTS AND CRAFTS: The People that Make Hermès”, I was transported back to the time when I was in the crafts business. Needles, threads, hammers, nails, blowtorches, pliers and so on were tools of my trade. And so are they to the craftsmens at Hermès. The job as a craftsperson has never been deem as a glamorous nor a well paid job. We all associate it as the type of chores that only our grandmothers or mothers did when they knit us a scarf or mend our hemlines. But we often forget that these were done with skills, dedications and love.

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15 Finalists were selected out of the 130 artworks participated in this year’s APB Signature Art Prize. The result was announced on 17th Nov 2011, at the Singapore Art Museum. Here are the winners

Grand Prize

Rodel Tapaya “Baston Ni Kabunian, Bilang Pero Di Mabilang”

(Cane Of Kabunian, Numbered But Cannot Be Counted)
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The Affordable Art Fair helped changed the perception of buying art when they introduced themselves in Singapore in 2010. Art has always been associated with the rich and well-heeled who spent hundred of thousand of dollars on each piece of art. But art doesn’t need to be unattainable. And the Affordable Art Fair had opened its doors to many art lovers, whom many have bought their first piece of art under S$10,000.

Artitute had the chance to interview an art buyer, Ms Jolyn Pek and 2 gallery owners, Dr Alvin Koh of Collectors Contemporary and Charmaine Toh from Objectifs, who shared with us how the art scene in Singapore has grown and how art buying has changed over the past few years.

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Elephant Parade Singapore 2011′s launch the parade in the heart of Orchard Road at CK Tangs with a beautiful Christmas light-up party on the 11-11-11. Celebrities and artists around the world lent their creative talent and created beautiful designs on their elephant sculptures. Singapore artists at the launch were, Max Kong, Om Mee Ai, William Sim, Ye Ruoshi, Simond Chew, Paul Koh, Justine Lee, Rosihan Dahim and young talent Daren Leslie from The Very Special Arts.

The artists had a great night at the launch party as excited fans were asking each and everyone of them for autographs and photos, making them superstars for the night. Especially the youngest artist, Daren Leslie, from the Very Special Arts was delighted by all the fuss he was receiving from the fans.

Artist of Happiness maximus, Mr William Sim and his fans Read the rest of this entry »

Just in time for Christmas.

The Singapore Art Museum, National Museum Singapore and the Asian Civilisation Museum recently stocks art merchandise by Singapore artists. Over at the National Museum Singapore, some of Justin Lee’s Terracotta Warriors household wares, under the from SAM collection caught our eyes. Other artist’s mechandises we saw by Dawn Ng’s Walter Bunny series of plush toys, iPhone covers and wearable, and Casey Chen’s Singapore Heart Flag pins.

We bought a lovely Terracotta Warriors tote bag from Justine Lee and a children sized Walter Bunny T-shirt from Dawn Ng as early Christmas presents for her good friends in London. It’s an annual ritual that we exchange Christmas gifts 10,000km aways. I hope my best friend’s son, little Li will love Walter Bunny.

Coin banks by Justin Lee Read the rest of this entry »

How would you like if you could plant a seed of happiness, water it with some happiness juice, and enjoy the harvest of your happiness?

Everyone is searching for happiness and the meaning of it. It may sound difficult in today’s vast changing environment and society, and it may be a real precious experience if you do have a moment of happiness. In William Sim’s 3rd Solo Exhibition – Happiness Private Limited 2011, William presented a series of detailed illustrative paintings in small doses of his happiness to share. The size of the paintings asked the viewer to stand closer to interact, to stand longer to observe.

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What are you doing when you were 7 years old?

The young and talented Gelyn Ong has her first solo exhibition at the age of 7. “My Dreams, My Wishes” features 29 of her latest art pieces. Not just a simple exhibition, but one that embraces a good cause too as the exhibition aims to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation. The funds will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Before this, Gelyn’s works have also raised funds for several charity organisations. Read the rest of this entry »