A collaboration of six local emerging artists from different backgrounds and unique artistic styles, the exhibition aims to showcase a diverse blend of artworks in a variety of painterly styles including oil, acrylic, watercolour and mixed media.

The artists featured are Rosihan Dahim, a surrealist artist known for his Matchstick series since the late 1970s; engineer-turned-artist Vincent Chow who creates abstract paintings which showcase his process of self-exploration, reinterpreting what he observes and feels; William Sim who portrays happiness through nature and mechanical objects that depict scenes of reality within the realm of fantasy; Jenny Sim whose light hearted interpretations of certain Singaporean characteristics are creatively expressed through watercolour and acrylic; and Khai a Fine Arts graduate from La Salle College of Arts who uses metaphoric animal imagery to express his artistic vision.

Singapore, Our Heritage runs from 4 March till 21 March at the fill-your-walls gallery, which is located at 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #04-02. The exhibition is open from 10.00am to 10.00pm daily except Wednesdays and Public Holidays. Admission is free. For enquiries, please call 6222 1667.

Chankerk’s fascination with Chinatown, its rich cultural heritage, commercial activities and blend of new and old architecture was the inspiration behind this series of 15 paintings. Capturing the changes around Chinatown, Chankerk aims to demonstrate the contrast between the desire and demand for progressive growth and the pursuit of culture and heritage conservation in Singapore.

Depicting both the new high-rise buildings and old conservation shop houses, each piece in this series symbolizes an energetic development of urban space and nostalgia. Chankerk explores shifting of images, gestural strokes and layering of paints to create a sense of tension, uncertainty and melancholy, a reflection of the social, physical and spiritual phenomenon of a rapidly changing Singapore.

“Chinatown – Horizon of Changes” by Chankerk runs from 4 February till 23 February 2010 at the fill-your-walls gallery, which is located at 21 Tanjong Pagar Road #04-02. The exhibition is open from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm daily except Wednesdays and Public Holidays. Admission is free. For enquiries, please call 6222 1667.

Vincent’s exhibition  of 20 paintings showcases his process of self-exploration, largely influenced by contemporary fashion styles and trends. Reinterpreting what he observes and feels, this series reflects the aspirations and passion of his generation, who are now at the prime of their lives.

Vincent views this series as adventurous and playful experiments. His approach to painting is one of destroying what is on the canvas to seek new directions and ideas, largely inspired by jazz music  where ‘improvisation often creates unexpected outcomes’. Having come from a background in music also inspires him to create abstract painting with lyrical effects.

Being inclined to present his art in an unpolished manner, Vincent keeps it natural and unpretentious,  as he feels it mirrors human frailties and vulnerability in a poetic and spiritual manner. With the paintings’ composition extending beyond the boundaries of  the canvas,  Vincent manages to capture the viewers’ imagination and invites them to roam beyond what they see and form their own version of completeness.

“In The Mood For Love” by Vincent Chow runs from 17 November till 6 December 2009 at the fill-your-walls gallery, which is located at 21 Tanjong Pagar Road #04-02. The exhibition is open from  10.00am  to 10.00pm daily except Wednesdays and Public Holidays. Admission is free. For enquiries, please call 6222 1667.

Fine art appreciation is brought to life through visually stimulating knowledge stations that showcase major art history milestones. These include art studios dressed up to reflect the different major art movements Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism and artists that have made a key contribution to these periods. There will also be a focus on Nanyang Artists and their influence on the art scene closer to home. Interactive activities around forms, line, space, shapes, colours and textures will also be incorporated into the experience to deepen the visitor’s appreciation of those artistic eras.

With its focus as a weekend of fun for the family, adults and children will be immersed into the life of an artist through an activity packed programme of creative workshops and “Jamming Sessions”, which will also include art demonstrations, art lessons and the opportunity to create and take home their own original artwork. They will also get the chance to take on renowned local artist Rosihan Dahim in 10-minute painting challenges as well as witness the race against time by nine local emerging artists in a marathon relay to create a giant painting.

A highlight of Alfresco Art Fair is the Collectors’ Corner, where the public can gain insights from local and international art collectors on their experiences of starting an art collection. The public will also be able to purchase quality, original and affordable art at the event, which will have a showcase of 40 landscape paintings by local emerging artists. Books on art will also be available for visitors to browse through and buy.

Alfresco Art Fair runs from Friday 30 October till Sunday 1 November from 10 am to 7 pm at Clifford Square, between One Fullerton and Clifford Pier. Admission is free.