Episode 1: The Sky in Shades of Blue

Watercolour painting

What’s the secret behind mastering strokes, creating compelling compositions and realistic depths in watercolour paintings? Embark on a watercolour painting journey with Singapore’s most eminent watercolourist, Mr Ong Kim Seng, as he shares more about his artistic career with design student Karina.

Video reproduced with permission from the National Arts Council.

About watercolour painting

The roots of watercolour painting can be traced as far back as the Old Stone Age, where prehistoric humans painted cave walls with charcoal and other natural pigments. With the development of paper and developments of techniques, watercolour established itself as an independent art form in Asia around the 4th century. While varying kinds of watercolour painting developed across different cultures, the British school of watercolour became popular in the 17th and 18th century, and has since become the foremost method of watercolour around the world.

Episode 2: The Trees; They Speak

Film photography

Environmental artist Zen Teh and spunky retiree Rita converse about real life, reel life and everything in between! Tune in to watch them exchange new experiences and find out what surprising memories they share in common, ignited by their mutual interest in film photography.

Video reproduced with permission from the National Arts Council.

About film photography

Film photography (a.k.a. analogue photography) is a means of capturing images on film, a light-sensitive medium that darkens when exposed to light. A darkroom is where film development occurs. Liquid chemicals are used to process negatives of the film roll, and prints are produced when the film contents are transferred onto paper. The larger the film format or size, the higher the image resolution. The grainy film look adds an organic warmth which digital cameras cannot replicate. When photographs are imprinted onto three-dimensional surfaces, the images are transformed into photography structures with entirely different form and textures. These structures straddle photography and installation art, by immersing viewers in the given space, activating their spatial senses to go beyond the flat and two-dimensional.

Episode 3: The One about the Mango Tree

Performance art

Memories are powerful sources of inspiration for art. Grab a cushion, settle down comfortably and join multi-disciplinary performance artist ila and film student Miranda as they explore the cathartic process of harnessing memories to perform works that speak truth to our deepest thoughts.

Video reproduced with permission from the National Arts Council.

About performance art

Unlike most traditional art where artists are “invisible” in the final work, artists are part of the canvas in the physical, time-based form of performance art. Performance art seeks to convey a message about political and cultural themes specific to the time period in which they are performed, not to entertain. Some pieces seek to break down the wall between the audience and the artist where the creation becomes a two-way exchange. Through a combination of touch, sound, smell and even taste, the audience is invited to interpret and participate in the live performance.

Episode 4: A Wired Variety

Wire sculpting

If you could choose any medium to create art with, what would it be? For Victor Tan, it would be wires and wires alone. Through his wire sculptures, he explores endless possibilities and investigates the ways to contribute to make this world a better place.

Video reproduced with permission from the National Arts Council.

About wire sculpting

Wires are incredibly versatile as an art medium. Sturdy yet malleable, they lend both strength and fluidity to the piece. While a single wire, in its unaltered state, represents the most basic of visual elements—the line—wires can be molded into any shape, transforming from the two-dimensional line to a three-dimensional sculptural form. Wire sculptors often create a loose outline of the shape they envision, followed by looping, coiling, braiding, weaving, crocheting, and other various techniques to give the sculpture volume and strength.

Episode 5: The World is Bits and Pieces

Collage art

Ever wondered how different bits and pieces from various works can come together to create something completely new? Embark on a digital collaging journey with artist and educator, Milenko Prvacki, as he shares more about his artistic career with HR manager, Clarity.

Video reproduced with permission from the National Arts Council.

About abstract collage art

Unlike conventional ways of artmaking which seek to replicate reality, abstract art strays away from natural forms and implies that reality is subjective. The greater the divergence from the literal form, the more abstract the art will be. An artist may use varied compositions made of shapes, colours, and textures to assemble a new piece of art. Collaging is just one means of abstraction, and can be executed using digital images or physical materials.

Episode 6: Slow Down in Place

Papercutting

How do simple mundane materials such as paper turn into intricate lace-like patterns and delicate pieces of art? Embark on a paper cutting journey with Ashley Yeo as she introduces the art of slowing down through papercutting, along with Parry, an ex-army regular.

Video reproduced with permission from the National Arts Council.

About papercutting

Papercutting first appeared during the Han Dynasty in China after the invention of paper. Typically, intricate lace-like patterns are cut out continuously from a single piece of paper, not requiring the use of binding agents like glue. While simple in material, paper cuttings come to life through careful planning, precision, skill and patience. This art form has many iterations in cultures across the world, such as kirigami in Japan and scherenschnitte in Germany.

Episode 7: The Light Goes Inwards

Self-expression

How does one express themselves through the use of vibrant colours and dynamic brushstrokes? Enter into the realm of freedom with artist Barry Yeow as he guides engineering student Jack in expressing his emotions that words fail to convey.

Video reproduced with permission from the National Arts Council.

About self-expression through art

Self-expression through art is grounds to convey ideas and emotions that we may not have the words for and find difficult to articulate, rather than focusing on the aesthetic values of the final product. By expressing one’s feelings, art is effective in reducing anxiety and promoting self-esteem as a form of therapy. Set aside any preconceived notions of creating art and take risks in the creative process because after all, the only “failure” is not trying in the first place!

Episode 8: A Layered Self

Curation

Photo collages are not only about putting different pictures together, however, it is also how the pictures speak to each other to tell a cohesive story. The same could be said when curating exhibitions. Join artist-curator Zulkhairi Zulkiflee as he shares his insights and experiences in the intriguing world of photo collage and art curation, along with 30-year-old research officer, Kavita.

Video reproduced with permission from the National Arts Council.

About photo collage and curation

A process of art creation through cutting, glueing, pasting and overlapping, photo collages (also known as photomontage) uses an assemblage of existing art to create a new whole. Juxtaposition of seemingly random elements in photo collages encourages the audience to think about the relationship between the grouped objects.

Stemming from the Latin term, cura (to take care), curation refers to the act of organisation, care and management of assets and objects. In museological terms, curation involves the selection, organisation and care for artworks, historical artefacts and other cultural objects. In contemporary art, curators are often also responsible for the conceptualisation, research and writing of an exhibition.