Singapore’s fifth Art Week is currently underway, a 12-day event that celebrates the best, most captivating creative work from both the local and international art scene. With an amalgamation of art fairs, film, exhibitions and much more, it’s a great time to immerse yourself in all things aesthetic.
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And in the spirit of Art Week, why not celebrate our emerging and recognised local talents and their creative work? From visual artists, to illustrators, photographers and musicians, here are 20 incredibly talented creative Singaporeans you must know about:
This multi-talented songwriter, musician and artist inspires us all with his heart and dedication to his craft. His introspective folk-pop debut EP, entitled Safe Grounds, launches today but it’s already reached #2 on iTunes and is definitely worth a listen! His songs are not only catchy, they’re also really relatable. He’s also the creative mind and hands behind the five illustrations in the album sleeve (one pictured above), each representing a song off the EP.
More on: www.jarroldmusic.com
This owner and co-founder of local creative studio Tell Your Children quit his job in 2015, along with his fellow co-founders, to focus all their efforts on growing the art collective. The quartet’s unique and captivating graphic art illustrations have earned them collaborations with brands and other artists, including Uniqlo, New Balance, Facebook and Vans.
More on: www.tellyourchildren.bigcartel.com
This Beijing-born Singaporean photographer has won international acclaim with her compelling fine art portrait photography, winning the 7th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers in 2015. Her beautiful work has been featured in magazines including Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Elle, but she’s not just good with a camera – she’s also published art books and has represented Singapore at the Commonwealth Games for rifle shooting! Psst… she currently teaches a course at Learn Squared, so you can learn how to craft your own creative photos too.
More on: www.zhangjingna.com
You’ve most probably come across this artist-illustrator’s works around the island. He’s also one of the few artists in Singapore whose specialty is 3D anamorphic floor art, so keep your eyes peeled to the ground and you might catch some of his artpieces! He’s also done amazing wall murals for big names like Heineken, Adidas, Standard Chartered Bank and more.
More on: www.benqwek.com
Melissa is a freelance educational therapist by day, an illustrator and cat lover by night. Her adorable paintings featured mainly animals, with a strong emphasis on cats and dogs. What’s extra special about her work is that she paints pets, and a portion of the money for each painting is donated to various non-profit organisations that help improve the lives of both humans and animals.
More on: wwww.facebook.com/paintinks.by.melt
Lucinda’s botanical illustrations showcase her skill in feather-light brush strokes, a keen eye, and her love for nature — very much reminiscent of images in botany textbooks of yore. On top of illustrating breathtaking illustrations of plants and flowers for her clients, Lucinda also teaches a range of watercolour courses in her art studio and heads Within — a nature-led creative and education studio.
More on: www.lucindalaw.co
Marina’s graphic artwork is provocative to say the least, teasing us with vivid images portraying youth and rebellion. Her unapologetic use of bold, vibrant palettes and titillating images that seem to have stepped out from a kitschy neon light-drenched arcade from the 1980’s evokes a sense of fun and freedom at first sight.
More on: http://cargocollective.com/mrn
A highlight in last year’s Singapore Biennale, Fyerool’s works range from 2D paintings to 3D installments. The conceptual artist’s works are mostly dark and moody — as though shrouded in a shadow of mystery — melding local history, cultural references and a brooding energy together, conveying social messages through non-verbal communication.
More on: www.fyerooldarma.com
Set against dark backgrounds, Ruben’s abstract art expresses the state of his psyche through almost non-definitive images in striking, electric hues. From paintings to sculptures, Ruben’s expressive creations has exhibited beyond Singaporean shores, making waves in Hong Kong, Switzerland and also Primo Marella Gallery in Italy.
More on: http://www.rubenpang.net/
Fresh out of La Salle College of the Arts, Howie Kim has caught attention with his fascinating illustrations. Balancing maturity with a dreamy child-like innocence, Howie’s pop surrealism images are captivating right from the get go.
More on: http://howiekim.wixsite.com/home
Hilmi’s oil-on-canvas paintings look back to Singapore’s cinematographic archives, drawing inspiration from film work from the 50’s-60’s as well as behaviour of local society in that era. The winner of ION Art Affordable Art Fair Young Talent in 2014 has had his works showcased at numerous local exhibitions. So engaging are his works that they have also been exhibited in galleries in NYC, London, and Paris, putting his name and our country on the world map.
More on: http://www.hilmijohandi.com/
Anton Lim is a whiz with the camera, producing street photography shot after shot. The urban photographer’s eye for raw city landscapes has caught the attention of Hypebeast and Adidas Originals, who have roped him in and tapped on his talent for their shoots and/or videos.
Candice’s creativity has birthed vibrant characters that are carefree, whimsical, and downright adorable. Her illustrations have charmed their way through the local arts scene and have even appeared on demos and collaborations with brands like Uniqlo, Guerlain, Chanel and National Library Board among others. Candice has also displayed her work at numerous local exhibitions, garnering attention from the public with positive reviews.
More on: www.puffingmuffin.com
Vivid illustrations are Rachele’s forte, and her images speak for themselves through their effervescent nature. Comprising of mostly portraits (though she paints other surrealist images as well, as seen above), the digital illustrator normally plays with pastel hues to evoke a child-like feel through the images she creates.
More on: http://rachhele.tumblr.com/
Yanyun depicts compelling images on fabriano paper with charcoal. Her artwork is often pensive and dark, provoking innermost thoughts of viewers that were hitherto untapped. She has been actively showcasing her works at local exhibitions, but it’s only a matter of time before her work gets recognised internationally.
More on: https://yanyunchendrawings.com/
Timothy’s character-rich images captures aspects of of architecture, street wear and landscapes, mesmerising us with his vision. Highsnobiety, Zouk Singapore, and Universal Music Singapore are some of the big industry clients this talented photographer has collaborated with.
More on: http://www.timothy-s.com/
Marvellous mood shots are Sarah’s weapon of choice when it comes to the photography lane. The award-winning photographer has exhibited worldwide, from the US, to Paris to Korea among other places, showcasing her views on contemporary society through her lens.
More on: http://www.sarahchoojing.com/
If you love animated and mood-lifting artwork, look out for Anwar’s pieces. The self-taught artist has climbed his way to recognition, gaining attention since his win at the “Design A Hotel Room” regional competition. With numerous collaborations under his belt (including with Naiise, Kulprit, and The Ate Group to name a few), the artist is set to send good vibes one illustration at a time.
More on: http://www.anwarrafiee.com/
This Fine Art graduate from Chelsea College of Art and Design leaves us all in awe. Her life-like drawings and illustrations bring about wonderment, awakening the senses one piece after another. Her conceptual sculptures and paper are also noteworthy, enticing us with their intricate details. So captivating are her works, that they have been displayed overseas in Beijing, Norway and the US.
More on: http://yeoashley.net/
From installations to paintings, Khairullah’s pieces are true gems in the art scene. He engages the audience with artwork that encapsulates personal experiences and observations on social issues. With that, he hopes to spark thought-provoking conversations among his art viewers.
More on: http://www.khairullahrahim.com/
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Text: Syed Zulfadhli and Dana Koh, Harper’s Bazaar / Additional Reporting: Elizabeth Liew
Photo: @khairullahrahim/Instagram