Prologue 3
from the principal 4
from the H.O.D 5
t he mentor 6
the artists 7daniel choo 8
he ning 10
katrina ocampo 12stacy lum 14
phan nguyen 16
truman ng 18
tang hui shi 20
xu tianran 22
our jo
urney 2
4
a
cknowledgem
ents
26
1
2
PROLOGUE
P R O L O G U EConjure is an exhibition that explores the narra-tive power of images in Art & Design. Presented by 8 graduating art majors, the show sets out to pose these questions:
• Is the consumption of images as much a Visceral as well as a Cerebral experience?
• How do the Framing Devices that artists/designers use in their artworks engage or lure the audience?• Is the artist/designer the sole author of the
meaning behind the created image?
In the image-saturated and symbol-savvy culture that we live in, images are visual narratives that jostle with written or spoken language cheek by jowl for at-tention. Pera the power of images lies in its imme-diacy to move our emotions and stir our imagination to conjure up stories to satiate our minds.
“Works of art... do not force meanings on their audience; mean-ing emerges, adds up, unfolds from their imagined centres...
takes one through the process of discovering meaning.” --Robert Hughes, Art Critic & Writer
3
f r o m
t h e
p r i n c i p a lThe worlds of Art and Science are much more interrelat-ed than their currently institutionalized forms might lead one to expect. On a deeper level and from a human-istic viewpoint, one can easily trace the main driv-ing force propelling the two disciplines to the need to discover the world within and around us to make better sense of our existence. In other words, this need for discovery, predicated on the human desire to interpret and understand the world, fuels our creative impulses for scientific research and artistic inquiry.
When creativity and creative inquiry drive learning, students flourish. In NUS High School of Math & Sci-ence, we recognize the importance of nurturing crea-tivity, original thinking and innovativeness. We offer a robust academic curriculum and learning environment that are both design-centric and values-focused as we believe in providing an education anchored around so-cial responsibilities and entrepreneurship. We also recognize and value the importance of an arts programme as an es ential area of education that engenders a strong spirit of inquiry through imagination, intuitive analysis and artistic expression.
In this year’s Art Graduation Show titled Conjure, our 8 graduating art majors have put together an exhibi-tion that explores the narrative power of images in Art & Design as well as investigates the capacity of the human imagination. The art works presented attempt to reflect a multi-dimensional viewpoint of the creative possibilities in contemporary art forms by using il-lustrations, photography, digital-art and experimental mixed-media works. We hope you will take time to engage and enjoy the layered meanings in the artworks. Welcome to the Art Graduation Show 2012!
Dr. HANG kIM HOO
4
f r o m
t h e
h o dDr. eMIlIA WONG
The Art Graduation Show module (FA6361) is a compulsory requirement for the graduating art majors. It is created
as an authentic learning experience for the student-artists and thus form an integral part of a holistic and robust education in NUS High. Over the past years, the student-artists have gone through a rigorous process
of planning, conceptualizing and finally to presenting an exhibition that is a culmination of their artistic
learning journey.
Collectively and thematically, the student-artists have presented the best of their artworks, completed over two years (2011-2012), in an engaging exhibition so that the various creative methodologies and mediums used in their artworks create the right dynamics in this show. Titled Conjure, the exhibition sets out to investigate how vis-ual narrative is used as a powerful form of storytell-
ing device to stir the human imagination in conjuring up creative possibilities for the interpretation and under-
standing of images in art and design.
I wish our graduating student-artists all the best as they continue to engage in creation and exploration in the arts, especially interdisciplinary projects that integrate the arts, sciences, technology, and the hu-
manities. I am confident that they have been well-equipped with skills and competencies to synthesize the constantly changing technology, viewpoints and culture
into their artistic vision. The Art journey does not end here but it has started a life-long learning process for them to help create a future and direction for local and global communities. So, it is only apt that I leave this
timeless saying as food for thought:
Give a man a fish and he will have food for the day.Teach a man to fish, he has food for a lifetime…
5
t h e
m e n t o r . . .
6
-Teaching is an instinctual art, mindful of potential, craving of realizations, a pausing, seamless process.-
- -A. Bartlett Giamatti
Mr. Lee Wee YanArt Major Module Teacher-In-Charge
stacy
. . . a n d t h e
a r t i s t s
7
Xu
Ocampo`
Nguyen
Ng
daniel
He
Tang
lum
tianran
CHOO
katrina
phan
truman
ning
hui shi
stacy
daniel choo
8
To me Art has always been a way of expressing my e
motions and a medium that touches my
senses in a manner that other experiences cannot r
eplicate. Be it looking at other art-
ists’ works or my personal art making, the experie
nce never fails to invoke some form of
emotion in me. I believe that all humans are simil
ar in a way that they are always look-
ing for something. To me Art is also a form of sou
l-searching; an ongoing part of daily
living which helps one to not only understand the
world within but also the self in rela-
tion to the larger community.
My works are usually done with marker pens and pai
nts, mediums which I am more competent
in. However, I do not restrict myself to these med
iums because I believe in using the
appropriate mediums to convey the different messag
es or aspects of the work which I may
be trying to bring across to the audience. My work
s are usually layered in concept and
presentation to show the multiple dimensions of th
e topic or idea I am trying to express.
9
To me Art has always been a way of expressing my e
motions and a medium that touches my
senses in a manner that other experiences cannot r
eplicate. Be it looking at other art-
ists’ works or my personal art making, the experie
nce never fails to invoke some form of
emotion in me. I believe that all humans are simil
ar in a way that they are always look-
ing for something. To me Art is also a form of sou
l-searching; an ongoing part of daily
living which helps one to not only understand the
world within but also the self in rela-
tion to the larger community.
My works are usually done with marker pens and pai
nts, mediums which I am more competent
in. However, I do not restrict myself to these med
iums because I believe in using the
appropriate mediums to convey the different messag
es or aspects of the work which I may
be trying to bring across to the audience. My work
s are usually layered in concept and
presentation to show the multiple dimensions of th
e topic or idea I am trying to express.
he ning
10
As a child, I was very active and un
manageable. The only thing that coul
d get my atten-
tion and calm me down was the activi
ty of drawing. I would be engrossed
for hours draw-
ing on the floor, walls, tables, boo
ks or even my clothes. My mother nev
er once stopped
me from being ‘unconventional’ in my
choice of ‘canvases’ for my artisti
c expressions.
In fact, she noticed my inclination
and enrolled me into an art interest
group until
I got busy with my school work. Till
this day, I am very thankful to my
mother for her
intuitive support for me to do art.
My drawing style has evolved as I ma
ture both intellectually and socio-e
motionally.
This process of development is of gr
eat interest to me as an artist. The
notion of
Growth has been an area of research
and focus for my artworks. Growing u
p has been a
very hard journey for me as I resist
ed it. I find it paradoxical that th
e tears, strug-
gles, hurt, sense of loss, and all t
he personal upheavals that come with
growing up
have turned into a stronger desire t
o hope for the future. I do not know
how much I
have lost in the process of growing
up but I am heartened that the proce
ss has not made
me a skeptic of life. Personally, I
believe I have conquered the odds an
d developed
11
As a child, I was very active and un
manageable. The only thing that coul
d get my atten-
tion and calm me down was the activi
ty of drawing. I would be engrossed
for hours draw-
ing on the floor, walls, tables, boo
ks or even my clothes. My mother nev
er once stopped
me from being ‘unconventional’ in my
choice of ‘canvases’ for my artisti
c expressions.
In fact, she noticed my inclination
and enrolled me into an art interest
group until
I got busy with my school work. Till
this day, I am very thankful to my
mother for her
intuitive support for me to do art.
My drawing style has evolved as I ma
ture both intellectually and socio-e
motionally.
This process of development is of gr
eat interest to me as an artist. The
notion of
Growth has been an area of research
and focus for my artworks. Growing u
p has been a
very hard journey for me as I resist
ed it. I find it paradoxical that th
e tears, strug-
gles, hurt, sense of loss, and all t
he personal upheavals that come with
growing up
have turned into a stronger desire t
o hope for the future. I do not know
how much I
have lost in the process of growing
up but I am heartened that the proce
ss has not made
me a skeptic of life. Personally, I
believe I have conquered the odds an
d developed
katrina ocampo
12
Being the only Art Major w
ho did not have a ‘good ch
emistry’ with the proverbi
al pencil
and paper made me feel tha
t I was the weakest link.
My lack of confidence and
inclina-
tion to draw often created
self-doubt in my ability
to join the rest of my cla
ssmates in
their artistic journey as
art majors.
I was not ready to give up
without a fight! One thin
g I was absolutely certain
about
was my passion for Art! I
knew I had the drive in m
e and fought for my credib
ility as
an Art major. After consul
ting with my art teacher,
we both agreed that I shou
ld focus
on my strengths in the are
a of 2D-Design with specia
l attention on mediums lik
e digital
art, photography and graph
ic design. I channelled al
l my creative energy into
these me-
diums and kept myself open
to critical feedback from
my art teacher and friend
s. In the
process, I developed my sk
ills in a whole different
dimension that no one else
had ex-
plored.My artworks pay spe
cific attention to the use
of the ‘right’ compliment
ary col-
ours and the notion of bal
ance in compositions. Conc
eptually, I work between a
n intui-
tive and rational approach
in making my images. My p
hotographs favour people a
s subject
matters and I instinctivel
y go for candid moments th
at no one else might notic
e.
13
Being the only Art Major w
ho did not have a ‘good ch
emistry’ with the proverbi
al pencil
and paper made me feel tha
t I was the weakest link.
My lack of confidence and
inclina-
tion to draw often created
self-doubt in my ability
to join the rest of my cla
ssmates in
their artistic journey as
art majors.
I was not ready to give up
without a fight! One thin
g I was absolutely certain
about
was my passion for Art! I
knew I had the drive in m
e and fought for my credib
ility as
an Art major. After consul
ting with my art teacher,
we both agreed that I shou
ld focus
on my strengths in the are
a of 2D-Design with specia
l attention on mediums lik
e digital
art, photography and graph
ic design. I channelled al
l my creative energy into
these me-
diums and kept myself open
to critical feedback from
my art teacher and friend
s. In the
process, I developed my sk
ills in a whole different
dimension that no one else
had ex-
plored.My artworks pay spe
cific attention to the use
of the ‘right’ compliment
ary col-
ours and the notion of bal
ance in compositions. Conc
eptually, I work between a
n intui-
tive and rational approach
in making my images. My p
hotographs favour people a
s subject
matters and I instinctivel
y go for candid moments th
at no one else might notic
e.
stacy lum
14
I do not consider myself as eloque
nt and expressive when it comes to
using words. Under
normal circumstances, I am able to
articulate well enough to meet th
e demands of the occa-
sion and yet there are times when
words choose to fail me at the mos
t crucial of moments
even though the thoughts are reari
ng to be expressed.
These frustrating experiences with
the ‘short-circuit’ by words beca
me a concept and an
area of investigation for my artwo
rks. I began to imagine someone wh
o permanently expe-
riences the inadequacy with words.
I imagine what it would be like t
o harbour all these
amazing imageries and inspiring th
oughts as they are hidden within t
he person’s mind and
all the while pining to be release
d as words. My design illustration
s on paper use and ex-
press the non-verbal language of a
rt as an analogy to represent the
frustration of failing
words (verbal).
For this series of artworks done i
n ink, marker and watercolor, I am
exploring “Hiding” as
observed in social contexts: as a
form of physical layering to expre
ss identity and self-
projection, as a device for emotio
nal masking as well as for psychol
ogical hiding in order
15
I do not consider myself as eloque
nt and expressive when it comes to
using words. Under
normal circumstances, I am able to
articulate well enough to meet th
e demands of the occa-
sion and yet there are times when
words choose to fail me at the mos
t crucial of moments
even though the thoughts are reari
ng to be expressed.
These frustrating experiences with
the ‘short-circuit’ by words beca
me a concept and an
area of investigation for my artwo
rks. I began to imagine someone wh
o permanently expe-
riences the inadequacy with words.
I imagine what it would be like t
o harbour all these
amazing imageries and inspiring th
oughts as they are hidden within t
he person’s mind and
all the while pining to be release
d as words. My design illustration
s on paper use and ex-
press the non-verbal language of a
rt as an analogy to represent the
frustration of failing
words (verbal).
For this series of artworks done i
n ink, marker and watercolor, I am
exploring “Hiding” as
observed in social contexts: as a
form of physical layering to expre
ss identity and self-
projection, as a device for emotio
nal masking as well as for psychol
ogical hiding in order
phan nguyen
16
My artworks mostly explore the theme of adolescent angst, alienati
on and confusion.
Using my personal emotions and ex
periences during this most difficult and critical phase of
my life as the raw material, I have re-channeled these complex ene
rgies and tensions into
my art to express the distress and fear of a child transforming in
to an adult. Many of my
works also address the issue of identity crisis and loneliness. In
the pursuit of selfhood
and self-actualisation as a teenager, I have, many a time, been le
ft confused and fright-
ened of the drastic change within myself and in the relationship b
etween me and the world.
This state of confusion, resulting from the struggle to find my ow
n individuality, has pre-
vented my ability to rationalise about myself as well as be unders
tood by others. I am
only too cognizant that these alienating and lonely moments, if le
ft to wreak further emo-
tional havoc, can easily lead one to depression and self-destructi
on.
Art has been my saving grace.
17
My artworks mostly explore the theme of adolescent angst, alienati
on and confusion.
Using my personal emotions and ex
periences during this most difficult and critical phase of
my life as the raw material, I have re-channeled these complex ene
rgies and tensions into
my art to express the distress and fear of a child transforming in
to an adult. Many of my
works also address the issue of identity crisis and loneliness. In
the pursuit of selfhood
and self-actualisation as a teenager, I have, many a time, been le
ft confused and fright-
ened of the drastic change within myself and in the relationship b
etween me and the world.
This state of confusion, resulting from the struggle to find my ow
n individuality, has pre-
vented my ability to rationalise about myself as well as be unders
tood by others. I am
only too cognizant that these alienating and lonely moments, if le
ft to wreak further emo-
tional havoc, can easily lead one to depression and self-destructi
on.
Art has been my saving grace.
truman ng
18
It became clear to me later that t
he many sketches I did forleisure
had been heavily
influenced by the comics I read. T
he gestural drawings and dramatic
lighting were tech-
niques I constantly employ in my s
ketch works and that became a pers
onal style of ex-
pression in my drawing approach. T
he turning point for me was in Yea
r 4 when I was se-
riously considering to major in a
rt, specifically 2D-Design. With
the guidance and
advice from my teacher, I spent a
year or so experimenting with diff
erent mediums and
eventually moved from pencil, char
coal and ink to pastels and Chines
e ink. With the
right combination of mediums, I wa
s able to create original and exci
ting images for my
portfolio. The experience increase
d my confidence and versatility in
managing mix-media
as well as allowed me to express m
yself without restrictions.
The 2 years as an Art Major have p
rovided me an important process as
I developed my own
style of expressionism which I use
strategically for more challengin
g concepts like ab-
stract emotions in my subject matt
ers. I was even able to move on to
the medium of digi-
tal art with my expressionistic st
yle and achieve encouraging result
s. The most valuable
19
It became clear to me later that t
he many sketches I did forleisure
had been heavily
influenced by the comics I read. T
he gestural drawings and dramatic
lighting were tech-
niques I constantly employ in my s
ketch works and that became a pers
onal style of ex-
pression in my drawing approach. T
he turning point for me was in Yea
r 4 when I was se-
riously considering to major in a
rt, specifically 2D-Design. With
the guidance and
advice from my teacher, I spent a
year or so experimenting with diff
erent mediums and
eventually moved from pencil, char
coal and ink to pastels and Chines
e ink. With the
right combination of mediums, I wa
s able to create original and exci
ting images for my
portfolio. The experience increase
d my confidence and versatility in
managing mix-media
as well as allowed me to express m
yself without restrictions.
The 2 years as an Art Major have p
rovided me an important process as
I developed my own
style of expressionism which I use
strategically for more challengin
g concepts like ab-
stract emotions in my subject matt
ers. I was even able to move on to
the medium of digi-
tal art with my expressionistic st
yle and achieve encouraging result
s. The most valuable
tang hui shi
20
My artworks deal with how popular
culture influences the notion of t
he idealized female
form in society. Very often, young
girls and women are psychological
ly-bound by a cul-
ture obsessed with the idea of loo
king a certain way in order to be
desirable, beautiful
and acceptable. I have chosen to e
xplore this socio-cultural phenome
non through the use of
parody and satire using elements o
f the grotesque and the carnivales
que.
My illustrations are often done wi
th mixed-media including marker pe
ns and spray paint.
The monochromic artworks in black
ink are created for sharp contrast
and direct impact as
I wanted a confrontational effect.
The more intricate and colourful
pieces are deliber-
ately created to reflect the feeli
ng of volatility in the compositio
ns in order to eschew
a predictable structure. This also
relieves the artworks from being
read with single per-
spective.
Working on small composite pieces
to create a series allows me to pr
esent multiple per-
spectives of a common idea as one
piece, offering the audience a mul
ti-dimensional reading
of the layered meanings implied in
the artworks.
21
My artworks deal with how popular
culture influences the notion of t
he idealized female
form in society. Very often, young
girls and women are psychological
ly-bound by a cul-
ture obsessed with the idea of loo
king a certain way in order to be
desirable, beautiful
and acceptable. I have chosen to e
xplore this socio-cultural phenome
non through the use of
parody and satire using elements o
f the grotesque and the carnivales
que.
My illustrations are often done wi
th mixed-media including marker pe
ns and spray paint.
The monochromic artworks in black
ink are created for sharp contrast
and direct impact as
I wanted a confrontational effect.
The more intricate and colourful
pieces are deliber-
ately created to reflect the feeli
ng of volatility in the compositio
ns in order to eschew
a predictable structure. This also
relieves the artworks from being
read with single per-
spective.
Working on small composite pieces
to create a series allows me to pr
esent multiple per-
spectives of a common idea as one
piece, offering the audience a mul
ti-dimensional reading
of the layered meanings implied in
the artworks.
xu tianran
22
Architecture is not merely about functional structures. It is not
only about utility but
it also expresses distinctive cultural identities and characterist
ics in the iconographies
of evolving civilizations. I grew up with a strong interest about
buildings and their ar-
chitectural styles. I am particularly drawn to the notion of archi
tecture as an aesthetic
form as well as an experience in people’s memories and minds.
In this series of artworks, I reference architecture as both creat
ive achievements as well
as glorious milestones across time. However, I am also suggesting
that architecture, seem-
ingly for utilitarian purposes, could have resulted in tension and
disharmony with our
surroundings because of unwise planning and design. In a way, it i
s a double-edged sword
causing a real dilemma. The mixture of visual styles and deliberat
e absence of life-forms
in these artworks are to metaphorically represent that dilemma.
23
Architecture is not merely about functional structures. It is not
only about utility but
it also expresses distinctive cultural identities and characterist
ics in the iconographies
of evolving civilizations. I grew up with a strong interest about
buildings and their ar-
chitectural styles. I am particularly drawn to the notion of archi
tecture as an aesthetic
form as well as an experience in people’s memories and minds.
In this series of artworks, I reference architecture as both creat
ive achievements as well
as glorious milestones across time. However, I am also suggesting
that architecture, seem-
ingly for utilitarian purposes, could have resulted in tension and
disharmony with our
surroundings because of unwise planning and design. In a way, it i
s a double-edged sword
causing a real dilemma. The mixture of visual styles and deliberat
e absence of life-forms
in these artworks are to metaphorically represent that dilemma.
o u r
j o u r n e y
24
25
-No pessimist ever dis-covered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or
opened a new doorway to the human spirit.-
Helen Keller
abilities throughout the last 3 years
26
a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s
we would like to thank...Senior Management – for making Art education a part of our lives in NUS high
Dr. emilia Wong – for her passion and tenacity in keeping
Mr. lee Wee Yan – for his persistence & belief in our creative
Mr. Syed – for taking awesome photographs of our work-
&Our dear families, friends, loved ones, & everyone who have provided inspiration, guidance, encouragement & unconditional support in this jour-
ney!
We did it!
t h i s ca ta l o g u e
wa s d o n e b y :
k a t r i n a o cam p o
Music & Art very much alive in NUS High;