"We’re all quite mad here. You’ll fit right in." - Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland
You have stumbled into the domain of an unlicensed artist.
Here, you will experience the wonders of madness in creativity.
I implore you to step inside, have a look around.
Experience creativity the way I do.
The Unlicensed Artist.
Suddenly Turning Visible
0. INTRODUCTION
Discover the lesser-known links between art and architecture and the role of institutions in the development of art in the region in this highlights tour of Suddenly Turning Visible: Art and Architecture in Southeast Asia (1969–1989).
1. TOUR EXPERIENCE
Suddenly Turning Visible invites the public into rethinking art and its role in society with its collection of abstract and conceptual art that are tied to 3 influential art institutions in Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. Spread across two Concourse galleries, the exhibition presents artworks alongside archival material, films, interviews and newly commissioned and restaged artworks.
The tour felt very different from the previous DBS Highlights tour due to my initial lack of understanding and disinterest of the abstract art. I did not expect to feel much for this tour. I was genuinely surprised by the end however, as I’ve met with several artworks that I had the pleasure of viewing.
1.1 Fernando Zóbel, Grabado I
Fernando Zóbel, Grabado I, 1958
Oil on canvas
Grabado I, is an abstract expressionist painting that caught my eye upon first entering the exhibit. It was one of the many paintings that was part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) collection. Inspired by Mark Rothko’s colors and Chinese & Japanese calligraphy lines, Grabado I was a fusion of both art styles from opposite ends of the world. Using hypodermic needles to etch and create precise lines across the artwork, the artwork utilizes shades of brown to create a visually complex and stimulating piece for any viewer.
1.2 Hernando Ocampo, Genesis
HR Ocampo, Genesis, 1966
Oil on canvas
Genesis by HR Ocampo was another notable work that stood due to its play on subtle gradating color tonality and irregular shape structure. Genesis differed greatly from Grabado 1 due to its organic nature and the use of irregular cube-like shapes for its composition. From up close, the painting depicts what seems like tongues of fire at the center, while from afar, would appear to depict claws reaching out from below and towards the viewer. What intrigued me about the painting was the balance between its organic appearance while also looking almost uniform and somewhat functional in design.
1.3 Anthony Poon, Squa-Tri Uni
Anthony Poon, Squa-Tri Uni, 1970s
Acrylic on canvas
Squa-Tri Uni, was one painting from Anthony Poon’s Kite series, regarded as one of the first explorations of geometric abstraction in Singapore art. What caught my eye about this particular work was how it juxtaposes this idea of a flat canvas and a sense of depth, created by stacking the canvases atop one another. The painting almost gave off a hypnotic effect when I saw it. Though described by Anthony as a 3D painting, I was beginning to wonder if Squa-Tri Uni was considered an installation or sculpture due to it being displayed in a manner that was 3 dimensional.
1.4 Teh Tien Chong, Meta-Form
Teh Tien Chong, Meta-Form, 1978
Mixed media
Meta-Form by Teh Tien Chong bears similarities to Squa-Tri Uni, being made of a combination of painting and sculpture. Heavily inspired by Theo van Doesburg’s art pieces that founded the neoplasticism movement, or De Stijl, Dutch for “The Style”.
1.5 Lee Aguinaldo, Linear No.93
Lee Aguinaldo, Linear No.93, 1969
Oil on board
The title of the most interesting art piece in the exhibition would go to Linear No.93 by Lee Aguinaldo. Visually, I appreciate the minimalist and geometric perfection of the painting and the choice of color. But what made this painting stand out amongst the rest was its history. For context, Lee Aguinaldo was known to be a perfectionist in his work. Linear No.93 however, appears to have holes on the panel, which was uncharacteristic of Lee Aguinaldo’s, perfectionistic behavior. This is due to its involvement in a historical moment in Filipino history, when a coup was attempted on then president, Corazon Aquino. Gunmen shot indiscriminately into a building that housed the painting, shooting through it and leaving an imprint of the historical event in the art piece.
2. CONCLUSION
The tour not only introduced a whole new perspective to what abstract art really was about, but at the same time, brought about a new appreciation for the movement. I could understand what made it so appealing to many, the focus on color as well as its composition. What made me enjoy these works were its history and inspirations. What the artist wanted to explore in the process of creating these works and the history that it becomes part of.
