Art takes 22 artists places they didn't mean to go

Art takes you places you didn't mean to go - a saying that turned into reality for 22 Singaporean artists. The senior artists from the Singapore Art Society (SAS) were given the opportunity to carry a slice of Singapore to India through an art exhibition called The Nanyang Spirit which depicts the multiculturalism in Singapore.

The exhibition, from March 11 to 21, was a collaboration between SAS and the Art Spice Gallery located at The Metropolitan Hotel in New Delhi. On display were the artists' own depictions of Singapore through Chinese splash paintings and blurred images of people and city life.

It proved to be a monumental cultural exchange programme between Singapore and India as the artists showcased 44 works based on the Singaporean "Nanyang" theme which denotes the identity of the Chinese population in South-east Asia and blends multiple stylistic techniques of the East and West.

Said curatorial director Vidhya Gnana Gouresan: "Most of the artists are representatives of the spirit of the Nanyang style. They have experienced the changes as Singapore grew from the end of World War II and have entwined this element of modernity into their paintings. This creates an amazing cultural and educational experience for the artists as well as those who attended who saw Singapore from the artist's perspective."

The event, supported by Singapore Airlines, the Singapore embassy in India and Singapore Tourism Board, was well attended by people from all walks of life. The exhibition's opening ceremony was attended by Singapore's high commissioner to India Lim Thuan Kuan.

The artists also did some artwork in front of the audience during the opening ceremony on three different canvases using three different techniques.

"The 22 of us split into three groups to do some on the spot demonstration. There were at least seven people to each canvas and we all combined and created art pieces using different techniques. One canvas was an abstract using watercolours, giving it a modern feel. The second group used oil and the third used Chinese ink," said SAS president Terence Teo Chin Keong.

"The audience was very happy. I noticed that there was an automatic change in colour in our paintings - it was more vibrant. This may have been due to our surroundings and the audience."

Though there is an annual cultural exchange programme arranged by SAS, this is the first exchange to involve such a big group. The trip was also an opportunity for the artists to visit places such as Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Jodhpur. For many of them, it was their first time visiting India.

"Last year we went on a cultural exchange to Nepal, but the group was much smaller. This year we thought of doing something different. I heard a lot from various artists who have been to India and they told me I would not regret it. India is very big and possesses a rich heritage. There are so many old buildings and forts. Their structures, height, colours and view combined with nature are beautiful," said Mr Teo, whose speciality is Chinese ink paintings.

The artists took every chance they got to do some on-location artwork by observing the surroundings and the people.

Mr Teo said he felt the Indian culture is more vibrant: "The scenery, experiences and the people influence the drawing style and techniques such as the colour combinations used. I found that there was more vibrancy, richness and boldness in the colours used compared to Singapore. In every aspect, we gained a cultural exchange."

The trip did have its challenges, however. Said SAS vice-president Chan Chang How: "Language was a problem for us especially in the rural areas of Rajasthan. People did not want to move when we wanted to do our art nor allow us to take photos. They did not understand us but we managed to use body language and finish what we set out to do.

"It was also difficult for us to travel for long hours due to the senior artists travelling with us (the oldest was over 80) but all in all we had fun."

It was the fourth trip to India for Mr Chan, who specialises in water colours and oil painting.

Artist P. Gnana was the only Indian in the group. His fellow artists were hoping that he would be a tour guide as well as a translator for them, but he was as much as a tourist as they were.

"I was seen as the liaison officer and was expected to be helpful, but I was just like them. I am from the south," said the Singapore permanent resident.

The idea for this cultural exchange came from him as the Art Spice Gallery had approached him.

"As an artist, this was an interesting experience as we picked up different skills and techniques. All these experiences will be depicted in our artwork. We may have gone to the same destination and painted the same subject but the result on the canvas will be different as each artist is showing the experience in a different way," he added.

The artists are looking at holding an exhibition here later this year to showcase their artwork based on their observations in India.

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