Week 13 - Documentary Process ( Part 4 )

Artist Statement

Art equals personal taste. Simple. Period. It can be likened to a book where the beginning represents the artist’s creative process and the end represents the collector’s decision. Interestingly it is not that simple, because one must read the whole book to know the eventual outcome, although it all depends on the basic principle of ‘to give and take’. As one piece of art goes through the lengthy process of creation and later begins the ‘search’ for its new master, it will face the multiple tests of competition, criticism, acknowledgment and possibly even rejection. Art circles can sometimes be cruel. Sincerity, confidence, firm, proper guidance and luck play important roles in defining this amazing journey!

I compare my life to a piece of art. I came into this world naked, as if a piece of pure white canvas stretched onto a frame. As I grew, the sketches started to mark out their territories. Then came along the brushes and pallet knives with various colours ready to turn me into a masterpiece! As time progresses, this piece of art will be continuously appraised and criticized by the creator and passers-by. No one can really tell how good a painting is, until the artist finally signs his creation and puts it on display. But the interesting fact is that in life (and even in death) both the creator and the art piece will forever be linked together.

Art is probably the world’s hardest profession. In the business world, there are black and white areas, right and wrong. In the art world, there are no rules. Many so-called artists will take advantage of this ‘grey area’ and often hit below the belt. As art depends on personal interpretation, it is for the beholder to judge. Art is nothing sacred and in many ways hard to comprehend, especially for those with limited knowledge about it. To put it very simply, art is just another example of supply and demand. It is not just about a single painting hanging on a wall demanding a value be placed on it! It is all about the life of the creator – the artist. Right from the very first thought that an artist has, to the development of an idea, till it becomes the very last drop of paint the artist brushes on to the canvas – art and artist are inseparable. This is my art, this is my life.

Principle in art:

Art started as a form of communication thousands of years ago. Hitherto art is still considered very much a form of communication but emphasizing more on the idea and concept that an artist as a creator wants to deliver. Chng believes that his work of art should be from the heart and not from public pressure. The basic principle of an artist is to create, a gallery to promote, a critic to criticize and a collector to collect should be abide. This chain should be respected for a simple reason to enable an artist to focus on his creativity. Creativity comes from the exposure of an artist movement in life either near or far. With movement comes experience, with experience combining with one’s philosophy, then only one can create a unique yet impressive piece of art. An artist should never sell his soul and bow to public pressure. For artists that have chosen to only paint as directed, they should be considered commercial art processors. Professional painters should present genuine creativity.