Topic: “The problem of Language in Cross-cultural studies” by Lydia H. Liu in relation with Artist Yeo Shihyun’s works.
Translation is a word that seems to have an answer to a problem when we don’t understand another language, usually through the help of a translator. But do we, would we normally wonder if the translator is accurate? From my understanding of the reading by Lydia H. Liu, this is because one problem with translation is that it can never be the purest representation of the ‘guest’ as it is represented by the ‘guest’ him/herself, in this case the translator. This is because translation is a motivated process in which it is made ‘more complicated’ by the existence of ‘impure’ culture, mainly coming from the translator’s own values or prior knowledge. Also, Translation is always trying to make sense of the guest culture by comparing between two cultures and finding an equivalence. But in turn results in the creation of something new. And this new does not exist in either the original ‘pure’ source or in the guest culture.
Making connections of my findings from the reading with Art works, I would like to refer to Yeo Shihyun’s latest series of works ‘in the raw’, especially the pieces painted on wood. Oddly, she was inspired by with Frank Gehry Knoll Cross Check Chair. Maybe because of his architectural background, she has produced marking lines on surfaces that are more geometric than usual, edgy and even rigid. Colors are limited to only black and white as she felt they are ‘colourless’, thus allowing the natural material color to stand out. Maybe even the use of wood could have been a little tribute the innovate architect. Overall, I feel Shihyun’s translation inspired by a designer Chair is a new perspective towards her progress in defining her style. I can only say this is this is my interpretation of her compromise of two (or more) different styles coming together.
Reference:
Yeo Shihyun’s ‘in the raw’ series of works
http://www.instinc.com/sy_try02.shtml
http://www.slide.com/s/WuKhMCzG5T-pxTW9Pf2i1eeu257DdjHK
Frank Gehry Knoll Chair(Cross Check)
http://www.knoll.com/products/brochures/Crosscheck.pdf
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
My Featured Artist
Yeo Shih Yun
Local artist Yeo Shih Yun, born in Singapore 1976, started painting full time after studying in San Francisco Art Institute in 2001. Prior to that, she was trained in graphic design in La Salle – SIA College of the Arts. Since then, she gown accustom to the fine arts and is greatly influenced by western Abstract Expressionist artist like Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline. Her playful style also shows some similarities as she is known for her lively brush strokes through (un-traditional tools), the use of black ink, in which displays elements of chaos and order existing beautifully. Her portfolio of art works includes paintings, drawings, prints and books. She has also experimented with other print techniques like lithography and screen-printing and painting directly onto 16mm film which can be viewed as a movie clip.
Naming a few other artistic accomplishment, Shih Yun single handedly founded instinc in 2004, a work studio cum gallery which operated from a small room above a shophouse in Chinatown, but since then instinct have grown into an artistic breeding ground (building) for artists to work and display their works; Not forgetting, she has collaborated with many artists locally and abroad and have been commissioned by companies like Guinness, Smirnoff & Her World Magazine Singapore. Being an established artist, Shih Yun has exhibited at numerous other leading galleries in Singapore and abroad as a soloist and collaborations.
Her latest gem to her achievement includes winning the certificate of distinction & highly-commended works from the recent 26th UOB Painting of the Year Competition 2007.
Local artist Yeo Shih Yun, born in Singapore 1976, started painting full time after studying in San Francisco Art Institute in 2001. Prior to that, she was trained in graphic design in La Salle – SIA College of the Arts. Since then, she gown accustom to the fine arts and is greatly influenced by western Abstract Expressionist artist like Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline. Her playful style also shows some similarities as she is known for her lively brush strokes through (un-traditional tools), the use of black ink, in which displays elements of chaos and order existing beautifully. Her portfolio of art works includes paintings, drawings, prints and books. She has also experimented with other print techniques like lithography and screen-printing and painting directly onto 16mm film which can be viewed as a movie clip.
Naming a few other artistic accomplishment, Shih Yun single handedly founded instinc in 2004, a work studio cum gallery which operated from a small room above a shophouse in Chinatown, but since then instinct have grown into an artistic breeding ground (building) for artists to work and display their works; Not forgetting, she has collaborated with many artists locally and abroad and have been commissioned by companies like Guinness, Smirnoff & Her World Magazine Singapore. Being an established artist, Shih Yun has exhibited at numerous other leading galleries in Singapore and abroad as a soloist and collaborations.
Her latest gem to her achievement includes winning the certificate of distinction & highly-commended works from the recent 26th UOB Painting of the Year Competition 2007.
Choice of Painting - A
paper (2006)mixed media and collage on canvas60cm x 46cm
From this painting, initially viewed as ‘messy’, i can see a massive structure of overlapping layers through the use of paints and paper. True to the nature of impromptu (action) painting, paint strokes are created from a lot of fast and quick spontaneous movement of the hand and arm that allows spreading, spattering, dripping of possibly fast-drying pigments like chinese ink which are directly applied onto canvas surface and also possibility different tools like a ruler(spreading). There is little colours besides black painted over black, white painted over black, black painted over greys, but the play of contrasting colours strengthen the positive and negative space in the painting such that one might think the white colour being the negative. Although a big black patch of colour dominates the center and almost stretches to edges of the canvas. It is made less dominating, more pleasing and balanced through the use of white thin strokes which seem to merge into the patch making a viewer think which comes first. This ingenious use of color also allows viewers some ‘breathing space’ that comes from the right hand side of the painting. Overall this is a very balanced painting.
Choice of Painting – B
twist(Cert of Distinction) 2007 mixed media on canvas150cm by 130cm
In this award winning piece of work, I notice a level of sophistication than compared to paper. Having a bigger canvas maybe more space to put paint on, but Shih Yun have used the space such that it becomes an asymmetrical balance in which the left side seems ‘heavier’. I can see the same energetic variation of brush strokes which have been painted in a carefully controlled matter. The emergence of a bright tone of green in swirling strokes, (which are again nonrepresentational) gives the painting a certain vibrancy that is slightly cheeky in nature almost like a father figure bringing child out for play. But that’s my own interpretation, as she would better have put it as “Form = Content”.
On a last note, personally I have chosen to write about this artist not only because I admire her style, but I’m proud to be friends and graduated from the same local art school. I have observed how her artistic passion has grown and respect her achievement so far. As not every art student will become successful in the local art industry. Some even left the industry as it is known to be an unstable one. She is young, brave and daring to try something new and yet staying true to her individual style. All the best Shiyun!! (affectionally spelled this way in my hand phone ;))
Images and information adapted from Artist own website http://www.instic.com/ with permission.
Wendy Yap
Sept 2007
On a last note, personally I have chosen to write about this artist not only because I admire her style, but I’m proud to be friends and graduated from the same local art school. I have observed how her artistic passion has grown and respect her achievement so far. As not every art student will become successful in the local art industry. Some even left the industry as it is known to be an unstable one. She is young, brave and daring to try something new and yet staying true to her individual style. All the best Shiyun!! (affectionally spelled this way in my hand phone ;))
Images and information adapted from Artist own website http://www.instic.com/ with permission.
Wendy Yap
Sept 2007
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