Colour Maestro

It was in mid February when I received a phone call from this guy called Shi Xiong. He said his company — GJ Production House is making a programme and they stumble upon my website and blog. They find that the flower paintings and Hua Dan series paintings were what they are looking for in one of the 6 episodes programme. So, they arrange to meet me.

To my pleasant surprise, it turned out that their director is Jack Choo (Zhu Hou Ren). I know he is a veteran actor but I didn’t know he direct too. After understanding my series (Hua Dan and Flowerism) of works and my interests in Cantonese opera and other things like collecting Blythe dolls and trinkets. They started filming in beginning of March. I was 3 months plus pregnant then. My tummy began to show and I was afraid the effect will not be good especially to put on the opera makeup and costume. However, everything turned out fine. The crew were efficient and professional. We went to a few location like SAFRA (for my caricature shoot), Singapore Art Museum where my work — “Tea with Mr. M” was on exhibit, Guangdong Huey Guan (where I learned opera), my house, my friend — Chengying’s house and  Art Seasons (the art gallery).

It was a fun and educational experience working with Jack and his team. Although I was suffering from rather bad morning sickness, I seemed to forget it the moment I was involved in the shoot. Yesterday was the telecast of the programme on Channel U. I received many compliments from friends and relatives. I even had a few email messages of people whom I don’t know but saw the programme and like my works. It was afterall, a very fruitful (and unexpected) experience. I will have to work hard to produce more good works so as not to disappoint all who loved me.

Teacher Vivian

This evening, I went to fetch Mahsuri from school. Teacher Dorothy mentioned that from tomorrow onwards, she and Huang Lao Shi will be teaching the K2s. And Teacher Nana and Sun Lao Shi will be taking over N2 (also Mahsuri’s class). Just when I was puzzled with the sudden change, Dorothy revealed the reason: Teacher Vivian has left! What a shocking news to me! But why?..I wanted to ask Dorothy but seeing a few other parents came, I decided not to hold her.

These few weeks, I didn’t get to see much of Vivian as I am currently suffering from a bout of morning sickness from my pregnancy. As it’s the initial stage, I am getting much of it nowadays. Thus, Kamal sends and fetch Mahsuri to and from school most of the time.

Teacher Vivian was one of the first few teachers who follow Mahsuri when he started N1 last year. She had witnessed his growth and improvements for the past one year. Vivian is a very patient and understanding teacher. Unlike other kids, my boy needs more time to “warm up”. He is a bit eccentric and always do things in the opposite way. I too can some times lose patience with him. However, teacher Vivian seems to have a way with him. She spends lotsa effort trying to understand his character. She often reflect her observations of him to me. She make me understand that my son is a selective-hearing learner and not what some people suspect — Autism.

Now that she has left, I feel sad that my son can’t continue to be nurtured under her but I do wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

I didn’t even have her contact no. I hope I could get it from other teachers so that I could call her personally and thank her for being such a good teacher to my boy, Mahsuri.

(from left to right) Sun Lao Shi, Mahsuri and Teacher Vivian

Hua Dan – the flowerism new series

The ‘Hua Dan’ Series by Ye Ruoshi

Synopsis

Ye Ruoshi caricatures contemporary existence through her series of figurative paintings. Though seemingly quirky at first glance her paintings are fully loaded with symbolisms that questions our perception of cultural perfection, identity and gender desires.

Her signature floral depictions from earlier painting series of ‘Flowerism’ and ‘Motherhood’ is apparent. This time, she has switched from abstraction to figurative paintings by drawing inspiration from her involvement in Cantonese opera performance, ‘Blythe’ dolls collection, toys belonging to her sons and household antiques.

A ‘Hua Dan’ is the prima donna of a chinese opera. This series of paintings presents a regular set of cast which juxtaposes the ‘Blythe’ dolls with other trinkets into a thought provoking narrative. These dolls has distinctively big, interchangeable glass eyes at the pull of a string that dangles from the back of its head.

The Cantonese Opera make-up, seductive undergarment and postures surrounded by toys that suggest a male presence and local objects seems to be at odd with each other. Intentionally, they form a narrative that suggest our multiplicity of culture and desires. This refreshing style is an amalgamation of various painting genre ranging from Pop to Surreal. Two dimensional graphics are interwoven with three dimensional still life, imagined figures and graphic icons into an exciting feast of colour and form.

Though these works invites an open interpretation by the viewer, Ruoshi seems to be making a social commentary on male and female differences in desires. The pull-string suggesting control and inhibition. Far from just an innocent reminiscing for playing with toys and exotic subject matter, these paintings are a serious reflection of our uniquely multi-racial culture and desires in a flat world.

-Kamal Dollah (M.A. in Contemporary Practise)

The followng are a few works from her new collection:

Title: Red Piano
Size: 61(l) x 76(w) cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Year: 2008
Series: Hua Dan

Title: Tea with Mr. M
Size: 78(l) x 56(w) cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Year: 2008
Series: Hua Dan

Title: The Bath
Size: 91(l) x 61(w) cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Year: 2008
Series: Hua Dan

Title: The Play
Size: 74(l) x 50(w) cm
Medium: Oil on canvas
Year: 2008
Series: Hua Dan

Life as an artist

Since end of last year until now, I have been working on new paintings. Suppose to have my 3rd solo in beginning of July with an art gallery but in the end have to cancel my show. Many reasons but I don’t want to talk about it now. All I can say is that I will continue in what I strongly believe because only that can I be truly happy. Right now, I am preparing for my art prints of my new oil painting collections.

Life as an artist has never been easy. However, if it’s too easy and smooth-sailing, then I don’t think I have live at all. Perhaps, it’s the constant challenge that this life of mine has given me that make me want to face it head-on.  I am working towards been a widely recognised artist. I hope my dreams will come true in my living years, not until after i die.

Tree Planting event at Pasir Ris Park

On 22nd April, I attended the Tree Planting family day organised by Mahsuri’s school — Intellect Childcare and Development Centre. It was held at Pasir Ris Park. We all donated money to gather a sum of $200 to buy a small tree for our children to plant it, as a contribution to our Garden City. It was a fun, Fun, FUN day!

full uniform attire to represent my school for this inspiring activity

there was a drizzle so mommy help me to put on my raincoat.

mommy and I holding the big and heavy spade for the camera.

this glove is a little too big for my tiny winy fingers!

putting on more soil

blowing bubbles...where are my bubbles?

now this is convenient! no need blowing!

reAction (Sangkar) – group exhibition by APAD

The word ‘Sangkar’ is a Malay word for cage. This was the title of APAD’s Action series group exhibition showcasing the works of 14 selected artists. It explores the various theme and concepts of entrapment. Exhibiting at The Substation Gallery from 7th – 11th December 2006.

The work presented by me is my first installation art which is a departure from my usual paintings. Synopsis below:

Lightness of Being

“Death can be light as a feather or heavy as a mountain”
Chinese proverb

This installation is a funeral wreath of twigs and feathers encircling my flower series painting. The overall whitewash appearance conveys a solemn symbol for death. Death of painting; killed by popular misconception and trends. This work relates to the feeling of entrapment often felt by artists (i.e painters) struggling to lead a meaningful life.

 

Mr. Kwok Kian Chow, Director of the Singapore Art Museum officiated the exhibition (2nd row, left & middle pictures) seen here with Mr. Suhaimi Sukiyar, president of APAD and Mr. Rosman Mohd Shahid, chairman of this exhibition’s organising committee.

The Singapore Garden Festival 2006

As a flower painter, I have always been fascinated by the flora and fauna formation. Recently, I am into gardening. Transforming the balcony of my HDB flat and the staircase landing into an indoor garden. The Singapore Garden Festival is one show I could not miss. Organised here for the first time, it is certainly worth watching. I went to the show twice. First time with my hubby, Kamal and my son, Mahsuri. Second time, I brought my parents to the show. Mahsuri got to go to the show twice. What a lucky boy! (You could see it in his face) During my second visit, I even bought a pot of Phalaenopsis orchids to add to my garden collection.

Kamal, Ruoshi and Mahsuri at the garden display section.

This orchid won a lot of awards. I did not get its name but I find the formation that spirals around the stem like a fluffy fox tail truely amazing!

My dear parents taking a snapshot with a nice backdrop of orchids from Taiwan.

Motherhood- The 2005 Flowerism Collection (event)

This is my second solo show. Held at Utterly Art Exhibition Space, Motherhood is an emotive collection which expresses a new mother’s experience of pregnancy, child birth and the love for her child.

I started this series of paintings right after my confinement. Having to juggle between taking care of my new born, Mahsuri, and painting, it is really challenging for me. I usually spent the day taking care of him and only paint at night. For almost 10 months (that is the duration for the preparation of Motherhood), I have been sleeping for 5 hrs each day. Luckily, once a week, Mahsuri goes to “po po” (my mom) house. That is the day where I could paint during the day and try to catch more sleep at night. Even then, it is still rather difficult as Ning (Mahsuri’s Chinese name) was breasts-fed since the day he was born. Now about 10 months old, he is still on breastsfeeding. So, I have to really plan ahead and prepare whatever that is necessary for him to bring to my parents’ place.
During this period of time, I was rather sensitive to some trivial matters. Fortunately, my hubby and my family members are understanding. They helped me a lot and gave me their moral support. Without them, I won’t be able to put up this show.
I would like to express my gratitude to Dr Pwee Keng Hock and Mr Kenneth Tan of Utterly Art for their help in organising this show. Mr Ahmad Effendy and Miss June Lai for their contribution in the design of the literature and my website. Mr Eddino Hadi for his nice photography of the events. Mr Rudy Djoharnaen for his writeup in Berita Harian. Mr K.K. Goh for his interview in Zaobao NOW (8th Dec 2005) and many others who have, in one way or another, helped in making this show a success.
Last but not least, my beloved hubby, Kamal Dollah, father of my son, Mahsuri, for being such a wonderful husband and ‘ayah’ (Malay word for ‘father’).

Tree Planting Day 2004 (Tanjong Pagar GRC)

I am honoured to be invited by Member of Parliament Ms Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) to showcase at the 2004 Tanjong Pagar GRC Tree Planting Day event held at Henderson Crescent. They had completed a major upgrading to the estates in which there is an interesting addition of a spices and herbs garden to the recreation area. There is also a discovery garden among the many other new facilities. Miss Indranee recently bought a generous amount of paintings from the flowerism collection for her office. She felt that my flower theme paintings fitted this event.
For the first time, I exhibited my paintings outdoor among the lush greeneries of a HDB estate. How exciting! Dr Pwee Keng Hock of Utterly Art helped in organising the show. I did a few new paintings specially for this show as these few paintings are inspired by the types of herbs planted there. A friend who was a botanist helped to take some picture samples for me so that I could work on the paintings.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was the Guest-of-Honour for the event. It’s a great honour to meet him in person and present to him one of my ‘Fleeting Dreams’ paintings as a gift. As security was very tight, I did not manage to take a snapshot with him. However it was truly an eventful evening to remember.

Flowerism – Ye Ruoshi 1st Solo Exhibition

Finally, she threw in the towel after 10 years of “soaking” in the pool of sweat and tears of graphic design – a lady in her early thirties decided to give up the fight to be an outstanding designer and switch her career entirely to being a painter. Who am I talking about? Who else? Me lah!

I knew my interest always lies in drawing and painting. At the same time, I would like to plan for a child. To be able to work and look after my child at the same time is something I would like to do in the future.
I started the Flowerism series of paintings in 2003. After involving in a women group show with APAD called ‘Cinta‘ in 2003, I was inspired by my first series of paintings in which I painted 12 small canvases of close up studies of roses withering titled ‘If Roses Can Speak…’ I decided to work on closer studies of flower structures. Especially local and tropical flowers, their form and colours entice me.
Ever since I started my life as a full-time painter, I have had some time to smell the flowers and to do things at my own pace. However, that does not mean I can slack in the production of my works. The discipline must still be there to become a professional painter. To produce one painting a day was my goal. Best thing is that, after finishing each piece of work, Kamal will be there to give his comments. And very often, we would be sipping tea and having constructive conversation on paintings and art. That is our simple pleasure.
This has motivated me to work towards producing 100 paintings for this show. In the midst of producing these works, something beautiful happened in our lives, for the first time, I am pregnant! Everything just goes as planned.

To view the 100 paintings of Flowerism series, please go to my official website at: www.flowerism.com