Fine Art Student Bags Top Prize, Making It LASALLE-SIA's
Sixth Win
Press Release
Monday, 16 July 2001
LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts student, Erzan Bin Adam, bagged the top prize of
$20,000 in Singapore's most prestigious painting competition, The UOB Painting
of The Year Competition, last Saturday. His painting, It's Hip 2 B Square, beat
307 entries in the Open Section of The 20th UOB Painting Of The Year
Competition, which comprised entries in abstract, representational and
traditional Chinese painting media.
Since the Competition's inception, which is organised by the United Overseas
Bank (UOB) Group, the College has won the top prize five times with alumni Lim
Poh Teck in 1990, Chua Ek Kay in 1991, Raymond Lau in 1993, Hong Zhu An in 1994
and Tan Kay Nguan in 1999.
"My work is not about my identity, ethnicity or religion - it's about who we,
Singaporeans, are and how we live our lives in Singapore," explains Erzan, who
will be graduating with a Diploma in Fine Art (Painting) at LASALLE-SIA
Convocation 2001 in September. "Our culture is filled with a variety of
information that enters our mind and senses and, consciously or subliminally,
constructs our identity. Thus, there's no such thing as 100% pure. We are made
from a selection, juxtaposition and manipulation of various sources - like a
music remix!"
In his painting, Erzan doesn't hide the multiple sources he's been influenced by
- including Western art movements like abstract expressionism and cubism, and
Chinese and Arab calligraphy. Even his take on consumerism in Singapore is
subtly incorporated by various 'ethnic-looking' fabrics that seem to originate
from a certain culture, but were actually purchased from Spotlight on Orchard
Road.
Commented Kwok Kian Chow, Director of Singapore Art Museum and Chief Judge for
this year's Competition, "The richness of heritages in a multicultural
environment is a great inspiration for contemporary living". The title of the
winning painting suggests that it is trendy to be old-fashioned. But this state
of being 'square' is by no means a formulaic conformity to traditions. Rather,
it is a dynamic, vivid and inter-cultural symphony of individuality, cultural
depth and multiplicity. Erzan's work manifests a fresh perspective on heritage.
It convinces by the successful integration of traditional motifs, abstract forms
and a strong presence of brushwork. The panel of judges was also impressed by
the layering of concept, formal expression, questions and answers, and
sensitivity to traditions in the painting."
Erzan had always been interested in art - spending his primary school days
doodling, drawing and being part of the art club. After an ITC Certificate in
Mechanical & Electrical Drafting & Design from Institute of Technical Education,
he wanted to pursue the creative side of design but discovered the world of
painting at LASALLE-SIA - and the rest is history.
At LASALLE-SIA Convocation 2001, Erzan will be presented the Outstanding Student
Award for his exemplary performance as a diploma student in the School of Fine
Art. He is currently preparing for his first solo exhibition to be held in early
2002. He plans to do a degree in the future and secure an artist residency in
China, Turkey, France or Scotland - and collaborate with an artist there.
tickle art: boX-In - Erzan B Adam and Urich Lau@CityLink Mall (exit to
Esplanade)
Now till 10 July 04
10am to 10pm
The latest instalment of tickle art
features the works of Singaporean artists Erzan B Adam and Urich Lau.
ABOUT THE WORKS
Erzan B Adam's 'Text Box' is about the language of mass media advertisement.
Mass media `boxes' television, radio, computers, and even the shopping malls are
carriers of the language utilised by advertisers that sets up a new system of
ideas and values (or desire) posing a challenge to traditional values and
structure. Using and recontextualising the catch phrases of today's
advertisements, he asks shoppers at this mall to give their interpretations of
those slogans. These are recorded and played back over the `box'.
'Cotton Box II: Soft Sculpture® 1962' by Urich Lau makes a wry reference to
American Pop artist, Claes Oldenburg. The work deals with "a rather unspoken
condition of Singapore contemporary art, a side that is laden with western art
ideologies and influences …(when) being stripped off of its original artistic
content, the cotton is but a mundane, raw material".
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Erzan B Adam won the highly acclaimed UOB Painting of the Year award in 2001. He
had also been awarded prizes at the Philip Morris Art Awards as well as the
Nokia Art Awards. Erzan obtained his Bachelor's for Contemporary Art from the
University of Tasmania recently after graduating with a Diploma, majoring in
painting, from LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts.
Urich Lau obtained his Masters from the RMIT/LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts,
after earning a degree in Contemporary Art from the University of Tasmania in
2001. Lau has also been exhibiting in numerous visual arts group shows and
multi-disciplinary collaborations consistently, both locally and abroad.
ABOUT tickle art
tickle art is a series of exhibitions curated by Susie Wong and Jennifer Teo
that is held at 2 showcases in CityLink Mall (exit to Esplanade). It features
art that is contemporary, site-specific and community-linked - art that is
connected with its audience and yet, in a form or media that challenges
conventional perceptions of art.
CONTACT
type jennifer followed by @artomato.com
Kindly sponsored by National Arts Council and CityLink Mall.
University of Tasmania
The Dean's
Roll of Excellence for 2003
The Dean, Professor Pakulski, on behalf of the Faculty, extends congratulations
to the following students (among mentioned: Erzan Bin Adam) in the Faculty who
achieved outstanding results for 2003 and were admitted to the Dean’s Roll of
Excellence.
