Singapore Arts, Beauty and Inspirations Male Blogger

Everyone's interest do change as we advance in age.

Mine did as I got more interested in arts. Not surprising since I studied design during my polytechnic days. I just felt that the boundaries between design and art is just separated by a thin or even an invisible line.

My friend dragged me to a Noise exhibition held at Ion Orchard quite some time back. The purpose of the exhibition was to showcase the works of aspiring artists, designers, photographers or even musicians and performing artists. A form of an outreach program where these practitioners undergo an apprenticeship programme, mentored by established professionals.   

My friend and I also went down to The Foothills (Fort Canning Park) to view the alumni show exhibition on the 30th of Oct. It was inspiring and I took pictures of some of the artworks as well.

I also got a chance to check out the preview of 'The Future of Us Exhibition' which you can purchase the free tickets on their website.

Amaze your friends with some of these really instagramable pictures that look as if you had just stepped into the future. Get to hear the lion roar, swing on swings and watch star and moon foams floating up into the air as well as write your dreams the screen and watch them appear on the large dome ceiling.  

Anyway, more arts related blog post would be up in future!

''Here and Now represents an entry point into a state of mind or being, with no single definitions or explanation as to where 'here' is.'' - Wu Qiong

Wu Qiong's distinctive cartoon style is obvious, and it resonates with the aesthetic of a generation absorbed with graphic novels, comics, digital worlds, animations and gaming.

His paintings introduce dreamscape scenarios that would provoke thought or trigger memories and experiences. I could easily experience why since my thoughts started streaming in like running water after viewing his paintings.

Despite the humanoid forms from his paintings portrayed standardisation of upturned faces, shut eyes and mouth agape, each character features underlying wealth of emotions depending on individual interpretation.

Instead of boring you with long story, here are some keywords which formulated in my mind when I view these paintings below. (My opinions may differ from yours.)

'In the Clouds of Our Dreams' - Comfort, Peace, Soothing

'Open to the Elements' - Exploration, Zen, Tranquillity     

'Heroes of Old' - Ambition, Victory, Patriotic 

It was quite to cute sight to see a couple posing exactly like the image of 'Always and Forever'. They will always be together no matter what was rather obvious in this painting. Their attire seems like they were working adults in a romantic dating process, with the vast and boundless skies as background adding focus to the couple.

Waiting for mine to appear too!

I have taken some photos of Wu Qiong sculptures, some cast in bronze while others were stainless steel. It was said that these sculptures were made after the paintings were painted. It is a milestone for Wu Qiong, who is celebrating his transition to sculpting as well.

Unlike the paintings, the sculptures were cast from the same material throughout, without additional colours and background, making it more challenging to interpret the exact circumstances the characters were in. 

'I Will Guard You Silently' depicts how the male would shower the female with his unconditional love, arms around her shoulder and keeping her close by his side. The expression this time meant that it was normal and naturally his duty to do so while the girl was comfortable under his care.

As for 'Guest from the Snowy Mountain', it would be every little kids' (or even adults') dream to cuddle with a 'stuffed animal'. In this case, he was so lucky to have found one tame creature from the snowy mountain, furry warm as well as large enough to snuggle comfortably with. How I hoped I was the one in that position snoozing off.   

 

Date: 8 Nov - 14 Nov 2015

Time: 11am - 9pm (Sun - Thur) ; 12 noon - 10pm (Fri - Sat)

Venue: Ode to Art Raffles City Gallery

Free Entry  

 

Cheers to the load of great fun and new experiences as I joined the Migme team on the 25th Oct with a group of overseas bloggers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Among us was a young Indonesian celebrity, Anisa Rahma and her lucky fan whom she picked to join her for this trip to Singapore!

 

I started off my fun filled day with a spread of seafood from Crab in Da Bag! They were the FIRST in Singapore to serve the 'Caboodle Boil' - their very own Southern Louisiana Seafood Boil Specialty.

The staffs brought out metal buckets containing a mixture of seafood, corn, sausages and potatoes, pouring them onto the table itself. Cameras were already taking aim like sniper rifles, ready to capture the best pouring shots.   

 

Armed with a bib and nutcrackers (optional) to disarm these crustaceans, everyone began dissecting these red creatures. Mollusks such as the mussels and clams were not their priority but still being attacked after their larger relatives were de-shelled.

 

Sad for me, due to being allergic to crustaceans and with their sweet reactive juices coating everything in there, I could only manage to eat 3 sausages and a corn before my allergic reaction got worst. It was great to watch the others really enjoying themselves, savouring the freshness of the sea while biting into the hidden flesh of these shelled creatures. Even though I could not enjoy eating them, I still fed my camera with photos!     



 

 

 

 

 

Finally it was time to head over to the Racquet Club. The building's interior was furnished like a hotel lobby and the staffs provided excellent customer service. There were cluster of different rooms and we were led into the one called 'Chris Evert Suite'.

 

Dinner was a buffet spread with my choice of wine, champagne or orange juice. I almost thought that I was in a hotel as the food tasted really awesome, with the wok fried wagyu beef in black pepper sauce, garlic flakes and pepper confit being my top favourite dish that day. 

 

After 2 rounds of serving, it was time to rush into the stadium to watch the WTA Finals 2015!  

 

It was a thrilling experience to step into the indoor stadium to watch a live tennis match! I have never had the chance to watch a live match till now, especially when my seat was considered premium which meant that it was closer to the court!

 

The finals have finally began! I had a clear view of Maria Sharapove VS Agnieszka Radwanska that night. I witnessed the 2 beautiful sporty ladies displaying their shift moves, high stamina and strength as they played throughout the match! The cooperation, applause and the constant cheers from the audience displayed the support people show to their tennis idols! 

 

In between the matches, I went for a toilet break and visiting the lounge since I was around that vicinity. There were cocktails, champagnes as well as wines available. I went towards the Nespresso counter since I spotted a crowd watching the barista preparing some fanciful looking beverage. Without thought, I had the mango cream with espresso without realising that I just had caffeine. There goes my sleep that night...   

 

After my potent stay-awake concoction and chatting with the staff a little, I headed back to my seat to catch the final moments of the match! The situation was rather tense, my eyes locked onto the ball each time as it flew across the net. The cheers grew louder each time and the final roar of cheers boomed as Agnieszka Radwanska's final ball hit the net. Victory goes to Maria Sharapove as she shrugged her shoulders and smiled in bewilderment.

 

Cameras were once again snapping in unity as many stood up to continue cheering for her victory. A speech was made and people could be seen clustering nearby, holding on to their large tennis balls, waiting for her signature.

 

Congratulations to Maria Sharapove as she scored a victory. Agnieszka Radwanska also did her best at the court to strike back. I had a great time watching the match, enjoying the yummy food, as well as getting to know other bloggers.

 

Thank you Migme for the invite! 

Lim rose to fame for his Chinese ink artworks of Chinatown and the Singapore River in the early 1980s. Since I am a 1990s' baby, his works helped me to visualise the urban landmarks, developments and scenes during that era. I appreciate such form of retrospect which I would never have a chance to witness and experience.

Since I am a foodie, I am particularly attracted to paintings that usually showcase the bustling marketplace, food streets or even stalls. Take the 'Duck Rice Stall' below for example. A simple scene with shophouses in the backdrop that once existed from the past and lost in the present. It portrays a simple makeshift-looking stall with patchwork shelters and people whose livelihood depended on it. As I looked closer, I see minimal outline of stocks and utensils needed to run the stall. The image lured me closer to observe each little details, yet the dull historic tones acts like a barrier, reminding me that it was all in the past. From a kampong village to a first-world country.

 ''When I write, impressions of paintings form in my mind'' - Lim Tze Peng

People might be stunned by some of his painting styles which has multiple Chinese characters seen overlapping each other. Lim prefer to emphasise on the expressiveness and elegance of strokes rather than the meanings of these characters. It is his stylistic breakthrough of abstract calligraphy which I myself heard for the first time, also known as 糊塗字.

I start to imagine myself looking at a painting instead of Chinese characters. Art has no right or wrong to me, just how each of us interpret each painting individually. My first image that materialized was a plantation. It might be due to greenish brown background. I see crops semi harvested, some left to decay as they were left alone. Towards the right middle of the painting, I must have spotted a house...

How about you? 





I was staring at one of the largest and most eye catching painting in the gallery. The light brownish tones produced the same historic feeling that was felt across most of his paintings. The feeling of wanting to be there, strolling across the same river which our forefathers had once walked through. That feeling was surreal.  

Feel free to visit IMPRESSIONS (墨韵) by Lim Tze Peng Exhibition. It would be great to view some historical moments as well as modern calligraphy.

Date: 13 Oct - 30 Nov 2015

Time: 11am - 9pm (Sun - Thur) ; 12 noon - 10pm (Fri - Sat)

Venue: Ode to Art Raffles City Gallery

Free Entry