Calendar: Faces of Singapore
Source: Sharifah Arfah of New Straits Times,
Malaysia
Jan 28 2006
The faces of a nation’s diverse inhabitants can tell many stories, and leading
Singapore contemporary artist Tang Da Wu explores the theme through his
collection of works entitled Tang Da Wu: Heroes, Islanders.
The collection also marks Valentine Willie Fine Art’s opening exhibition for
this year.
Born in 1943, Tang received his diploma in youth and community works at
Singapore’s National Youth Leadership Institute in 1968.
His first arts-related qualification was the bachelor’s degree in sculpture from
Birmingham Polytechnic, School of Fine Arts, in Britain.
Since returning to Singapore with a doctorate from London’s Goldsmiths College
in 1988, Tang has invigorated the regional art scene with his art performances
and installations.
Many of his works reflect themes of social and environmental issues. Tang is
also known for founding Singapore’s Artists Village and was awarded the Arts and
Culture Prize at the 10th Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 1999.
Tang Da Wu: Heroes, Islanders is a major new series featuring Chinese ink on
paper. The series, a project by Tang since 2003, is an impression of islanders
who inspire him.
To Tang, heroes and stories are found in the faces of the anonymous. They
include old women who collect scrap cardboard and metal, and save money for
their grandchildren’s future, young people hanging out, hawkers and peddlers in
corners of the island, forgotten or changed beyond recognition.
The dark, sometimes brutish, often humorous pictures challenge viewers to find
in these people something beyond the idealised and the stereotypical. The
contrasting and layered ink washes give depth and reality to his characters,
while strongly caricaturised features add power and pathos. Mixed with these
portraits of the unknown and ordinary urban heroes are also pictures of powerful
people in the Singapore arts scene.
The encounter between such individualistic personalities with the idiosyncratic
style of an artist such as Tang results in paintings full of surprising forms
and mysterious signs. Tang gives us contemporary stories from a Singapore few
see from the outside, immortalising a moment in these islanders’ history.
Tang Da Wu: Heroes, Islanders will be on display at Valentine Willie Fine Art
(first Floor No. 17, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur) from Feb 9-Feb
25. Noon-8pm (Monday-Friday) and noon-6pm (Saturday). Admission is free. For
more information, call 03-2284-2348.