DESMOND SIM

 

PLENTY A SHOW OF ABUNDANCE


Opening Reception
THURSDAY 19th JAN 2006 7 pm
Utterly Art Exhibition Space
208 South Bridge Road 2nd Level S'pore 058757
E-mail: utterlyart@pacific.net.sg Tel: 6226 2605 Fax: 6226 2645
Mon-Sat 11.30 am - 8 pm Sun 12 noon - 5.30 pm
The gallery will be closed on 29, 30 and 31 Jan 2006 for Chinese New Year.
The exhibition runs to SUNDAY 5TH FEB 2006.



Plenty. In abundance. Surfeit.


Lots of laughter, good cheers and happiness. Blessings a plenty. Ornamentated to the brim. This is the idea of a Peranakan life less ordinary …fulfilled.


He who has the most wins –the most happiness, the most beautiful home, the most talent, the most fine furniture, the most expensive jewels, the most intricate kebayas, the most precious sarongs, the most good fortune, the most progeny, the most loving spouse, the most laughter in their lives, the most parties at home, the most food at the table…


Welcome to the abundantly colourful lives of Desmond Sim’s canvases. What better way to celebrate the Chinese New Year than to usher in A Show of Abundance! Luxuriate in the plush colours and the fine details. Revel in the Feng Shui conversation pieces tucked away in the different works. Come share in this precious world of plentiful blessings in Desmond’s first spring show of the year.


You will see nyonyas and babas ensconced in their lives of plenty. And it’s not all about money! There is sunshine… health… happiness… laughter in the paintings. There are children with warm cheerful friendships, young men strapping with promise… couples blossoming in love… little girls giving all their love to kittens… little boys cuddling their puppies… these are lives filled to the brim with meaning and emotions.



 

Nativity Nonyas
and other uncommon icons




THURSDAY 18th NOV 2004 7 pm
Utterly Art Exhibition Space
208 South Bridge Road 2nd Level
S'pore 058757

Tel: 6226 2605 Fax: 6226 2645
Mon-Sat 11.30 am - 8 pm
Sun 12 noon - 5.30 pm
The exhibition runs to
SUNDAY 28th NOV 2004.




The Italian renaissance imprinted itself on religious icons, Greek legends and fables – so much so that for generations after, the world over, our enduring images of the world of the Bible, of mythology and of legends are seen through the inventive, evocative, powerful lenses of great Italian painters.



In Nativity Nonyas and Other Uncommon Icons, Desmond Sim seeks to re-appropriate the images that we have, in the past, peered at through with other cultural lenses. He prefers to see them through contemporary, Singaporean and Peranakan lenses. He wants to savour them through the lenses of humour and exuberance.



And so Nonyas will stand in for saints and protectors. And local young men and women will stand in for familiar icons from world literature and legends. And they will be appropriated, and totally appropriate for those who live, work and play on this sunny island called Singapore.


 

Sayang
musings on love by Desmond Sim
his first solo painting exhibition



THURSDAY 5th February 2004 7 pm
SPACE 21, 21 Tanjong Pagar Road #03-01, Singapore 088444.

Tuesday-Sunday 4-8pm.

12noon-4pm by appointment only, call Utterly Art at 62262605 or 94872006.

Closed Mondays and Public Holidays.



The exhibition runs through to Sunday 15th Februray 2004.



While "Sayang" is commonly equated to love, it's implications go beyond just love. It has a variety of meanings that is rich beyond its common English translation. Sayang is tender affection. It implies caresses... hugging... all the cuddly, nuzzly things between persons - brothers and sisters, family and friends - and also between people and their animals. It is inclusive in a warm and wonderful way. "Sayang" also has other meanings... it denotes a sad, wistful sense of pity... a passing of an opportunity - or an age. In all, "sayang" is something felt deeply and poignantly by every human heart.



Sayang is the first solo painting exhibition of Desmond Sim Kim Jin that features naïve paintings on love and affection from a local and Peranakan perspective. Although Desmond is perhaps more well-known as a playwright, writer and author, he is also a painter, and has exhibited in a number of group shows in both Singapore and Hong Kong.



On Saturday 7th Feb 2004 at from 8 to 11 pm (feel free to wander in anytime), SPACE 21 plays host to STAGES and their pre-Valentine’s mingles night entitled Actually…Love. Come find love if you’re single, and bring your love if you’re not! Mix with the crowd, strike up a conversation... you never know who you might meet on a STAGES mingles night. In the entertainment corner, expect to be treated to adult storytelling, singing and Shakespeare throughout the night. And in the main area, if someone catches your eye, make use of the Sonnet Dedication service - romantic poems delivered by STAGES trained actors! Tickets at $12 available at the door.



SPACE 21 is a new ~1950 sq ft art space and multi-function hall situated in a growing arts, entertainment and lifestyle block managed by Guan Seng Kee Pte Ltd, currently housing Toy Factory Theatre Ensemble in its attic and MOX Bar &Cafe on the fourth level.