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PHOTOS
LESTER LEDESMA (VIRIDIAN ART HOUSE);
VALENTINE WILLIE FINE ART (ARTWORK)
In February this year, six artists took
over the old River Valley swimming
pool canteen and set up Viridian Art
House. Since it’s located at what is now
The Foothills Fort Canning Park, it’s
“
one of the few art venues in Singapore
to be surrounded by a park,” says
art manager and co-founder Shiah
Chyi Yun. “We found that visitors like
the atmosphere, and the art space is
always in demand. It’s a spot for artists
to showcase their work, and for visitors
to come and appreciate art.”
Based on the nature of their events
and activities, they encounter an
interesting variety of people — and
artwork. The gallery, for one, can be
utilized not just for exhibitions, but for
book launches, meetings, talks and
performances as well.
It is also open to photographers,
designers, painters and sculptors who
want to hold art classes and workshops
THEPHILIPPINE
ARTTREK:
SIXYEARS&COUNTING
PHILIPPINE
contemporary art is also
getting the attention and exposure it
deserves, thanks to Singapore’s many
art events and platforms. But one
program that Filipinos and visitors to
the city shouldn’t miss is the Philippine
Art Trek, which is now on its sixth year.
Starting November 1, it’s a month-long
series of exhibits that will feature the
work of established and emerging
Filipino artists in many of Singapore’s
art galleries.
Over 180 Filipino artists have
participated in the Art Trek so far, from
big names like Amorsolo, BenCab,
Sanso, Chabet and Abueva, to the
current talented generation of Geraldine
Javier, Rodel Tapaya, Norberto Roldan
and Jose Tence Ruiz.
So what can art aficionados expect
this year? The Singapore Tyler Print
Institute (STPI) will display the works
of critically acclaimed Ronald Ventura,
while the show
Imagine
by Vue Privée
will center on nine new Filipino artists.
Valentine Willie Fine Art (VWFA) will
have the anchor exhibit,
Maelstrom:
The Monumental in Philippine Art
.
“
With so many art events happening
in Singapore — all competing for the
time and attention of art enthusiasts
—
we try to come up with new and
exciting mixes of galleries and artists
every year,” says Consul Cathy Torres
of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore.
“
Because of the Art Trek, we’ve had
a lot of Filipinos based in Singapore
telling us that they’ve learned more
about Filipino art here in Singapore
than they have back home. What could
be more rewarding than that?” For
schedules, the artist line-up and other
information, visit
ArtTrekPH
—
adults and kids welcome.
In fact, almost any gathering related
or conducive to art is encouraged —
be it a tea party or an art jamming
session. Classes can be held indoors or
outdoors for up to 80 people, and they
range from oil painting and ceramic
hand-building to paper crafts and clay
modeling.
“
We are quite flexible and open to
new and different ideas,” adds Chyi
Yun. This openness is what boosts
artists’ chances to have their work
displayed and recognized. It also
encourages collaboration, which can be
a good thing. “Artists come here to look
for other artists and to network. People
and art enthusiasts come here because
they’re interested in art and want to
learn something with the artists.”
For now, they’re doing their bit to
help educate more and more people
about art — through
A Conversation
in Art 2012
and
The Black and White
Shows
during the Archifest 2012 to be
held this month.
Cebu Pacific flies to Singapore from
Manila, Clark, Iloilo and Cebu.
ViridianArt House
Accessible
Left: Viridian Art
House is a nice
place to chill out
and exchange
art ideas;
(
below) artworks
displayed at
what used to
be the River
Valley swimming
complex canteen
Agimat (2012)
by
Jaypee Samson
