Instinc is pleased to announce blackrain (1-30 Aug 2006), an exhibition of new works by Singapore-born artist Yeo Shih Yun.
Shih Yun incorporates an exciting blend of vigor, impulsiveness and the element of chance into her works. Her fascination with randomness, uncertainty and surprise drives her to create bold works. She is best known for her use of the colour black in her works. In this exhibition, she attempts to explore the play of black ink and 'white' of the paper. She chooses paper for its ‘ready-to-use’ quality as it compliments her spontaneous painting process. Non-traditional tools like droppers, syringes, palette knifes, rollers and even household brooms are used to apply inks to paper.
One such technique resembles rain falling on the paper—Shih Yun is experimenting not only with the radical conflict between the two "colorless" colors (black and white), but also their interaction and interdependence. In her works, black and white, preceding any other colours, are the origin of light, the essence of line and the principle of depth and space.
These new exhibited paintings exuberate with evocative raw energy. Shih Yun's paintings are often characterized by a random fusion of bold blocks, drips and splashes of black. But look closely at each piece of work, and you'll see the placid balance as well as contrast between accidental and purposeful marks; spatial balance and the play of positive and negative space and rhythm. There are a total of 13 works on paper featured in this exhibition; two works measuring 300cm by 113cm each (Falling I and II) and 11 paintings measuring 90cm by 120cm each.
Each work in blackrain celebrates the medium, ink itself and its playfulness. Every work invites contemplation of the process of their making and whatever the viewer imprints on to them.
Born 1976, Shih Yun pursued her passion in art in San Francisco Art Institute in 2001. She returned to Singapore in 2002 and has been a full-time practicing artist since. This is her second solo exhibition of her new works after a successful first solo at Block 43 Studio Gallery in 2003.
About Instinc
Housed in a quaint Peranakan shophouse on historic Emerald Hill, this artist studio-and-gallery is a step and a hop away from the main shopping artery without all its hustle and bustle.
It’s a cool, soothing enclave that’s perfect for appreciating and creating art. Come to admire (or critique!) the artworks, chat with the artists-in-residence or participate in art workshops. instinc is no highbrow, stuffy commercial gallery, but a casual, inviting space where viewers are encouraged to come and “smell the paint”, as it were, and discover the thoughts and processes behind the artists’ works.
Artist
Yeo Shih Yun
An admirer of Jackson Pollock, Robert Motherwell and Franz Kline, Shih Yun's works are typically executed with high-energy spontaneity using Chinese ink and acrylic. In 1998, Shih Yun majored in Communications Design in Lasalle-SIA College of the Arts (Singapore). Thereafter, she underwent a one-year Post-Baccalaureate Program (Painting) at San Francisco Art Institute in 2001. In 2002, Shih Yun returned to Singapore and is a practicing artist ever since. In 2004, Shih Yun founded her own art space/studio, 'instinc' in Singapore. Shih Yun's other professional experience includes working as an fine arts faculty advisor for 3dsense Media School, educator, freelance designer, curator and experimental filmmaker. In addition, Shih Yun has been collaborating with artists from Singapore, US, Canada and UK for the past five years.
In 1999, one of her early experimental works received acclaim as a highly-commended entry for the UOB Painting of the Year competition. In 2003, Shih Yun received "Emerging Artist Grant" from National Arts Council (NAC) to hold her first solo exhibition at "log:one03" at Block43 Studio Gallery. Shih Yun has also exhibited extensively, with her recent exhibitions including "parallel journeys" at Pan Pacific Hotel, Public Art Space (Singapore); "NewFinds 2003" at MITA ARTrium (Singapore); "exit" at Intrude Gallery (Melbourne); and "Art Sydney 2005" (Sydney).
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