Portraits of History VI

Portraits of History VI - Portraits of History VI

2014-2015

Little India 

Now Exhibiting at Muffinry

112, Telok Ayer Street

Documenting the living before they become history. For the dead shall rest in peace. And, nothing is more vivid and intriguing than those which are living.

Choo Meng Foo

iphone:98150357 • choomengfoo@gmail.com 

 The Vegetable Street, 27th Jan 2015

Choo Meng Foo

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

The Little India Series

$650

Description

Drawn with Platinum Desk Pen 14K EF Nib with Atramentis Archive Ink. 

Along The Buffalo Road are many shops selling vegetables and through the years the numbers have increased. Selling vegetables have perhaps been more profitable than selling spices. Daisy Green occupies two shop lots and it is one whose business is flourishing. The displays overflow to the five-foot ways and turns round the corner along the partition wall. Every space is worthy of more business opportunity. The shop intrudes into public spaces, calling out to the passerby. It becomes a certain social, spatial arrangement, giving Little India its special flavor. 

 Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, 28th Dec 2014

Choo Meng Foo

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

The Little India Series

Private Collection

Description

Drawn with Platinum EF nib and Sailor SEF Nib Lamy Ink. The temple is located in the middle section of Serangoon Road (Little India). It is dedicated to the Goddess Kali, who embodies the power of time, change and destruction. Perhaps it is also the manifestation of Brahman the supreme power. Kali is always depicted with ferocity. One common scene is her sticking her tongue with Lord Shiva beneath her foot. The legend has it that she was carried away with killing the enemy in the war such that she killed everyone in her way. To stop her Lord Shiva threw himself beneath her feet. She stuck out.

The Fish Monger, 25th Jan 2015

Choo Meng Foo

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

The Little India Series

Collected

Description

Drawn with Pilot Penmanship EF Nib with Black Ink cartridge that comes with the pen.

The Prata Man, 2015

Choo Meng Foo

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

The Little India Series
$700

Description

Drawn with Sailor 1911 Demonstrator Transparent Clear F Nib with Sailor Black Ink. This would be one of the oldest Prata stall in Little India. Most of the cooks appear to be at least above 50 years old. One of them sport a dark glass. He was responsible to fry the Prata, others turned and flipped the Prata while another was the cashier. They knew their job well and they work like clockwork. There wasn’t much talking nor shouting.

The Little India Tailor, 2014

Choo Meng Foo

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

The Little India Series

$900

Description

The tailor rent the small table outside of the shophouse for slightly less than two thousand dollars, I was told. Amazing that sewing for simple alteration for the pants could sustain that kind of rental. 

 Usual Breakfast, 2015

Choo Meng Foo

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

The Little India Series

$650

Description

Drawn with Platinum 3776 EF Nib.

It is a common scene where old India gentleman’s dressing in their neatly ironed traditional daily wear, having his breakfast. The same beverage and the same Prata, nothing special, nothing bothers him. Every day is just another day. The same dressing, but he is not complaining about boredom as everyday is another repeat of the same. Perhaps he has seen through all the fancy and superficiality of live. Perhaps the ultimate reality lies in the flavour of ‘masala cha’ and the daily recurrence. 

I’m a King, Dec 2014

Choo Meng Foo

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

The Little India Series

$950

Description

Drawn with Platinum 3776 EF Nib with Lamy Ink.

Perhaps all of us wish that we are all kings. For being a king, we can have all we want and be free from the materialistic world. However, can we be free from the spiritual world of Gods. Perhaps not, as we see him, declaring 'I am a King' and yet praying to the Lord of Hinduism. The King of the Jungle looks at him, roaring in his supremacy. The Lion too is a King. Who's the King of Kings. 

For those who desire supremacy, there is always a price to pay. Perhaps it comes with great responsibilities too. All those idling will look above them to find an easy way to life, as if the well-to-do ought to share their results of labour. The smart should help those lagging behind. The rich should distribute their wealth. The rulers should benefit their citizens. One wonders if supremacy is still good with such responsibilities and burden. Can the King bear it?

Prayers, 2015

Choo Meng Foo

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

The Little India Series

$700

Description

Drawn with Sailor 1911 Demonstrator Red F Nib with Sailor Black Ink

People frantically moving around her. She is aware and yet oblivious to them as she prostrates before the supreme goddess, like an obedient child. Kali is the ferocious mother that traverse across time and made every devotee her child. The motherly nature in her woes every devotee to confide to her and she would answer their prayers. 

As I walk the path of a young Artist before continuing my education. I’ve started compiling the Portraits of History Series with Little India, Telok Ayer and Gardens by The Bay. 

Zhu Shengyiyu

Shengyiyu@gmail.com 

Telok Ayer garden

January 2015

Zhu Shengyiyu

Ink on Acid Free Paper 

149mm x 210mm

SGD150

Description

The small garden along Telok Ayer Street beside the Indian Muslim Heritage Centre. The pond reflects the shophouses nearby this conserved area. 

Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre, January 2015

Zhu Shengyiyu

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

SGD150

Sold LookArchitects

Description

Since 1830, it was built on the sandy beach of Telok Ayer, followed by a restoration work in 2007.

Forest Circuit, December 2014

Zhu Shengyiyu

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

SGD150

Description

The bridges connecting each SuperTree from this distance forms a circuit, it implies to me the circle of life as it brings glory to our green home, Singapore.

GBTB super tree

december 2014

Zhu Shengyiyu

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

SGD300

Description

 At this angle, it shows that the tree is much bigger than the usual ones we see in Singapore.

Man-Made Tree

december 2014

Zhu Shengyiyu

Ink on Acid Free Paper

210mm x 149mm

SGD150

Description

Gardens By The Bay is filled with huge trees made by man.

Focus 

december 2014

Zhu Shengyiyu

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

SGD150

SOLD Lookarchitects

Description

On the second level Teka Market, a floor which caters to Tailoring Business its surprising to see a male Tailor as oppose to fairy tales where most Tailors are Women.

 Black/White Side, November 2014

Zhu Shengyiyu

Ink on Acid Free Paper 

149mm x 210mm

SGD150

Description

Cheap slippers on sale along the busy vegetable street Buffalo Rd.

Matchless gifts

December 2014

Zhu Shengyiyu

Ink on Acid Free Paper

149mm x 210mm

SGD300

Description

A scenario between a buyer and seller.

Exhibition at Nilo Gallery, Shanghai

Portraits of Nature V – 探索热带雨林与人文思想

A continuation in the exploration of nature in watercolor as a vehicle to express the eternal nature of things, referencing the value of Dao. In the opening chapter of Dao De Jing, it was said that the Dao that can be named is not the eternal Dao, the Name that can be Name is not the eternal name, as such it is really a challenge to capture the eternal nature of things – it is illusive. The series attempts to capture this illusive nature of things, writing its myriad forms and intangibilities.

The process is one of observation of nature and a series of thought process follows by a quick succession of brush strokes to capture the immediacy of the feeling that is dwelling inside my being and the being of nature. It is through this unity and oneness that the brushes, the strokes, the water, the colours and paper, they come into being, germinating into a piece of work. The works are a reflection of the being of nature and my state of being at a particular moment, which is unique in its occurrence. The works convey the eternal theme of the nature of things expressed through the imageries of plants and trees from the garden and forest of Singapore. They are figments of time and space, with the geo-location of Singapore, the Garden City. It is also an expression of my love for life as art and my country.

这是延续探索自然的第五系列，以热带雨林为载体，表达道与自然的永恒规律。虽然道德经第一章中提到：“道可道，非常道；名可名，非常名。有名为万物之始，无名为万物之母”，道难以琢磨，难以言说，难以表达，但尝试理解并以水彩画捕捉道法自然，已足以丰富我的内心世界。

创作过程先是观察自然，进行一系列的思考与构思，随后用画笔快速连贯地捕捉那刹那间内心对自然的感悟。正是通过这种快捷而流畅的动作，笔、划、水、水彩与纸张相互交融，演变成一幅幅瞬间的创作。它是某一时刻自然与我的存在，微妙和谐，唯一无二。

作品通过新加坡花园与森林中植物与树木的形象捕捉自然的永恒主题。它们是地处美丽的新加坡花园城市的某时刻和某空间的影像残骸，同时也是我对生活作为艺术和对国家的热爱与情感表达。在这里，水彩绘画成为一种探究道与自然之间关系的载体，将它们的千变万化和非物质性展现出来，呈现出万物本质的永恒主题。

TIong Bahru – a clear blue day

The sky has always been an important factor when I am shooting architecture or documenting the streetscape of a place. Nothing looks more attractive than having the building stack against the purest blue backdrop. For the whole of April it has been a lot of rain every day. In early May we begin to see a tinge of blue sky, but the blue was not intense enough. It was in this mid-May that I spotted the crispy blue which I could not resist shooting a series on Tiong Bahru Blue. I am loving the blue and how much wonder it could bring to the composition. My mind is working hard to see how I could bring the inside of the interiors and integrate it with the outside blue. In my mind scape I have begun to conjure that pictorial landscape. I will paint with the digital camera and the digital application! Experimentation and merging digital camera and creativity is my preoccupation. One never gets bored when the mind is always curious, investigating and experimenting. Most of all getting the feedback and support from friends and fans are very encouraging. THANKS ALL. 
A series of photos of Tiong Bahru in Saturated Blue.The Monograph and postcard will be available at Orange Thimble and One Olive soon. Watch out for the launch.For prints please email choomengfoo@gmail.com it takes 1-2 weeks 
All rights reserved for the Photographs published here, for any use please seek permission from choomengfoo@gmail.com

TIong Bahru – a clear blue day

The sky has always been an important factor when I am shooting architecture or documenting the streetscape of a place. Nothing looks more attractive than having the building stack against the purest blue backdrop. For the whole of April it has been a lot of rain every day. In early May we begin to see a tinge of blue sky, but the blue was not intense enough. It was in this mid-May that I spotted the crispy blue which I could not resist shooting a series on Tiong Bahru Blue. I am loving the blue and how much wonder it could bring to the composition. My mind is working hard to see how I could bring the inside of the interiors and integrate it with the outside blue. In my mind scape I have begun to conjure that pictorial landscape. I will paint with the digital camera and the digital application! Experimentation and merging digital camera and creativity is my preoccupation. One never gets bored when the mind is always curious, investigating and experimenting. Most of all getting the feedback and support from friends and fans are very encouraging. THANKS ALL. 
A series of photos of Tiong Bahru in Saturated Blue.The Monograph and postcard will be available at Orange Thimble and One Olive soon. Watch out for the launch.For prints please email choomengfoo@gmail.com it takes 1-2 weeks 
All rights reserved for the Photographs published here, for any use please seek permission from choomengfoo@gmail.com

Street Photography

Smile and they did it willingly. Here are some of the smiling people.

Portraits of Nature II

Investigating the nature of things through the medium of watercolors. Perhaps returning to its source, wondering about the idea of the indestructibility of the source. In its indestructibility perhaps is a certain absolute and eternity. And perhaps the truth is in this absolute and unchangeable eternity. Eternity in the sense of the absolute which could cut across time, unrestrained or limit by it. How then would one paint that absolute using nature as a vehicle and watercolor as the medium? What is that source and that absolute?

Very often I have been asked what is Art, as many would prefer a painting to be a copy of what we see. It is good if there is a great amount of likeness between the real and the painted.

总是觉得很多所谓的不一样的知识都有它的连贯性，摄影，画画，哲学，文学，设计，心理学等。宇宙的运作是有一定的规律，它从无而运行为有，我们把它种种的有归纳为种种不一样的学科，简单化后可能我们就能察觉它的规律。了解了我们就能安下心来，来去自如。