I’m excited to learn that word is spreading about the Lost arts of The Republic of Singapore exhibition that will be presented at Pop-up Singapore house in September here in London. Thanks to Geraldene and to all the people she contacted in goodwill! I am at the moment still on the lookout for haulage sponsors for transporting the objects to and fro. Some confirmed objects which the craftsmen have kindly agreed to contribute are:
1. 3 big chinese hand-painted lanterns
2. 1 dragon head(1 to 2m)
3. A number of small chinese lanterns(20″ x 15″)
4. Medium sized joss sticks(25″ x 6″)
5. Woodclay sculpture figurines (7″ x 5″)
6. Tapestries

If anyone has contacts with haulage companies, please send me an email on how I may contact the person-in-charge. Thanks very much! In the midst of preparation and we are full steam ahead!

Article published in The design society journal 2012. A big thank you to Justin Zhuang, editor of TDSJ, Jesvin Yeo, my collaborator on this project, and photographer Kang Li!

Currently preparing to bring this project to London, for an exhibition titled Lost arts of The Republic of Singapore in September as part of Pop-up Singapore House, in conjunction with London design festival 2012. All updates shall be here!

The best way to describe the past few weeks is that I’ve been working every weekday. And thus this very late post will be… a slideshow of nice pictures I’ve been inspired by, surrounded by, pushed into my face by etc. etc.
(can’t think of anything else to write honestly)

As an artist I believe in free will–but I also believe in preparatory exercises. Whether a series of exploratory roughs, comps, a-painting-a-day, or thumbnails before a more ambitious project, sketches pave the way to professionalism. Here’s a reminder of what sketches can do for you:

+ Make your mistakes smaller, not larger.

+ By including “notan” sketches (simple black and white patterns) you learn to find better compositions.

+ Discover the best angles, aspects and forms of a subject.

+ Learn to work fresher and looser so you’ll have less investment and obligation.

+ Ask yourself, “What could be?” and have more fun wherever you go.

+ Make more sense of your visual world and its manifestation in your art. Preparatory sketches help you understand what you are trying to do while helping you to feel less precious about your work.

Life is an exercise, but it’s not a rehearsal. Many artists find that the sketch stage is just as vital and rewarding as themagnum opus that comes later. Sketches, to the dismay of many artists, may even be superior in quality. Particularly in rough form, it’s important to cave in to your most expedient inclinations, happiest pathways and most endearing sensibilities. “Preparation does not take away any of the enthusiasm of the final painting. In fact, the preliminaries in color and tonal studies free up the artist for an unbridled yet focused trip to the finish.

– excerpt from Robert Genn Twice-Weekly Letter April 13 2012

recent drawings, black’s always gud