I am dedicating this year to painting for my own realisation, for my own discovery, for my own satisfaction. As was very customary in the East, an educated member of society contemplated life, was guided by high principles and pursued refinement of one's character. Likewise it is time for me to do so. These will be my guiding principles from now on. Click here for the story
Sing-Nature, 4 paintings, 3.5x5 Feet, acrylic on canvas
"In the Eyes of Kingfisher"
"In The Eyes of Butterfly"
"In the Eyes of a Top Bird"
"In the Eyes of Kaa"
Interior design artist's impression, not to scale, approximate size.
"Orchid-Scapes" - 10 paintings, acrylic on canvas, 87x66cm
I lived in Singapore between 1998-2000. Singapore was my home, I stayed near Bukit Timah Rd and studied at the old Funan Centre at Informatics, I went for acupuncture treatments with Dr Ang in Far East Shopping Centre. Since then the East entered my blood and became a part of my DNA, later on studying Qigong, Chinese Medicine and Buddhism, fengshui and becoming fascinated with Chinese art and culture, as well as studying Acupuncture in Beijing at the Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Dongzhimen. All of the above led me to the path of self-cultivation and continuous striving for self-refinement for the greater good of others.
I would like to celebrate the Singapore Bicentennial and offer my deep gratitude to its people and leaders for creating this peaceful cultural oasis by creating paintings inspired by the Orchid scholar-gentleman ideals, as they stand true as my own values, as well as all the great things about Singapore.
The Orchid and Confucius
“The orchid grows where others cannot endure the hardships of hunger and thirst, and is loosely tied to the things that support it. And, even with all the difficulty of its life, the orchid graces the world with beautiful colour and rare fragrance. This is like the life of the true gentleman, who sets himself to learn self-discipline, and whose character shines no matter where he is or what he experiences.”
Confucius also thought of the orchid as a flower of noble character, as he said in “孔子家語” (“Confucius’ Family Dialogue”): “芝蘭生於森林, 不為無人而不芳, 君子修道立德, 不為窮困而改節” “The orchids grow in the woods and they let out their fragrance even if there is no one around to appreciate it. Likewise, men of noble character will not let poverty deter their will to be guided by high principles and morals.” In short, orchids symbolized nobleness and tenacity of character.
The light yet lingering unique fragrance of the orchid also had a profound effect on Confucius. He said “與善人居, 如入芝蘭之室, 久而不聞其香, 即與之化矣. 與不善人居, 如入鮑魚之肆, 久而不聞其臭, 亦與之化矣.” “If you are in the company of good people, it is like entering a room full of orchids. After a while, you become soaked in the fragrance and you don’t even notice it. If you are in the company of bad people, it is like going into a room that smells of fish. After a while, you don’t notice the fishy smell as you have been immersed in it.” The orchid’s fragrance was used to portray the sublimity of character which Confucius believed everyone should strive for and which formed the basis of his moral preaching, and to emphasize the influential power of people of such character.
"Come Bathe In the Noble Fragrance"
"Perfumed Garden of my Kind Heart"
"Ocean of Flowers Calling Me Home"
"Three Gentlemen - The Vibrant, The Resilient and the Hardy"
"Meet You Where The Fragrance is Sweet"
"Amongst Noble Ones I Blossom Fully"
"My Garden of Dreams is Calling You"
"Perfection of That Which I truly Am"
"Showering Limitless Joy on All"
"If You and I Have No Difference"
"Love", 10 paintings, acrylic on canvas, 48x64cm
Florists, flower arrangement, Van Gough and myself as a designer - inspired by the bouquets of florists in Singapore, the ones done by Van Gough and a bit of my own. The gift of love, the insight into the loving nature of us all.
"Love 1, Abundance"
"Love 2, Elegance"
"Love 3, Suspense"
"Love 4, Warmth"
"Love 5, Courage"
"Love 6, Exuberance"
"Love 7, Togetherness"
"Love 8, Ephemerality"
"Love 9, Awe"
"Love 10, Longing"
"Vogue Orchids", 40x50cm, acrylic on canvas
10 Paintings dedicated to the fusion of brilliance of orchids, of Gucci fashion shots and my going everywhere with my camera and then creating on canvas.
I have been watching and photographing in Singapore in different places like the Botanic Gardens, an orchid farm, Gardens by the Bay. This time it is all about being up close and personal with the petals and the overwhelming richness of colour and intricacies of shapes. My main focus is the colour and the thought stopping pleasure and joy once one come close to the flowers to experience more closeness. In this collection I have also been incredibly inspired by the Gucci colour schemes and their incredibly artistic photographs. Thank you so much Gucci. I realised that my photographs and their colours relate to each other and to the flowers.
To quote Monet, “I must have flowers, always, and always”, “I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers”. I hope these series of 10 will bring an experience of joy, if closeness to nature and beauty and it will elevate your momentary experience. After all flowers are a symbol of giving love.
"Glimpses of Red"
"Glimpses of Pink"
"Thicket of Mauves"
"Candy View"
"It Appeared So Bushy"
"It Was Such a Blue Sky"
"Dazzling Vision"
"On Close Inspection"
"Afternoon Mint"
"Small but Stylish"
Meditative Works
"Coming Together, Dispersing, Coming Back Again", 27x35", acrylic on linen
Artwork for a Singapore newly opened cafe commission - #6 Letter Coffee
"Englightenment", 4 paintings, acrylic on canvas, 23X43"
As the Buddha attained enlightenment the gods rained down the flowers on him in celebration. These four paintings are celebration of our highest potential, of our inherent wisdom, compassion and love.
"Zen - Singapore Dawn", 6 paintings, acrylic on canvas, 18x24"
Inspired by glimpses and moments and colours of early morning in Singapore, the pastel tones, the ephemeral quality of the sky, I expressed the Qi energy of my heart-mind being in the moment and containing all of the totality in that moment as openness, joy and happiness way of brush.
"Zen - Singapore Dawn", 6 paintings, acrylic on canvas, 18x24"
Inspired by glimpses and moments and colours of early morning in Singapore, the pastel tones, the ephemeral quality of the sky, I expressed the Qi energy of my heart-mind being in the moment and containing all of the totality in that moment as openness, joy and happiness way of brush.
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