But just recently, sculptor Chong Fahcheong who created these sculptures held a solo exhibition that revealed a totally different side of his artistic world.

The exhibition, “Passages”, held at Emily Hill, had more than 20 sculptures that were well received by a wide audience of art lovers. There were many new, big works made of many materials – wood and stone of different types, jade and bronze – as well as older works from the artist’s personal collection.  The selection of pieces showcased Fahcheong’s skill and passion for working in many different carving mediums.

Fahcheong finds inspiration for many of his works as he loves to “people watch” everywhere he goes and is especially fascinated by the sights and sounds of Singapore. Travelling on the MRT Train from home to his studio, or while having a plate of char kway teow and drinking kopi siew tai, his attention is claimed not so much by the food as by the animated group of ah mahs at the next table with their garrulous chatter accompanied by the broad and generous gestures of flying hands and pointing fingers.

“I’ve got to capture that in a sculpture,” he says, to his breakfast companion in the kopitiam.

Fahcheong’s sculptures have certainly captured the flavour of Singapore past. Born in 1946, he is a child of the post-war years and some of his public works reflect this time frame.

First Generation, that bronze sculpture of five naked boys jumping into the Singapore River, is very well known. “I remember seeing boys jumping into the river when I was young.  A recently completed sculpture is that of six boys at a game of piggy-back. Chang Kuda can be seen in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, opposite the Swan Lake.  ”In those days, we were not buried under a mountain of schoolwork and homework. We would throw down our books the moment we came home from school and run out to play. We never returned home until it was dark,” says Fahcheong.

Although sculptures like these take us back to a time before, Singaporeans today can still relate to the ideas of fun and simple childhood play that they depict so well.

That is why the sculptor Chong Fahcheong is important in the Singapore art scene. He helps us to remember our past, placing us in the context of our history. It is only by knowing our past can we move forward with confidence into the future.

Although he lives in Canada, he spends much of his time in Singapore, returning again and again to his roots. He says his connection with and exploration of his cultural roots was never so strong until he moved away from the island of his birth more than 20 years ago.

For images of all new works in Passages Exhibition click HERE.

For all those who have not yet come by and would love to check out fahcheong’s new works and see some of his personal collection of older works, we’d love to see you!

A talk by the artist on his work and process will be held at the exhibition space at Emily Hill.  Come join in, ask questions, check out the pieces and maybe have some snacks.

Date:  Saturday November 19, 2011
Time:  2:30pm – 3:30pm

Hope to see you there!

As well, we’ve managed to sound the horn in a couple of other places.  Check out the links below to more info on Passages:

http://www.timeoutsingapore.com/art/events/chong-fah-cheong-passages

http://s-pores.com/

We hope to see you all there!

Main topics of discussion were fahcheong’s public art, his motivations for producing such works, his ideas on public art, and the artist’s artistic process in general.  It’s very telling that Tai Ho thought the artist only worked in bronze, when in actual fact this medium is comparatively recent compared to say, wood and marble.  ”Temusek”, a marble sculpture which was purchased by SMRT and installed at the old Somerset MRT Station (it’s now somewhere in Bishan) was actually fahcheong’s first sculpture commission.  ”First Generation”, the bronze of 5 boys jumping into the Singapore River, is the public sculpture fahcheong is most well known for.

The interview went quite well, and Tai Ho remarked that fahcheong was unlike any artist he’d previously interviewed, in terms of how he viewed his creations.  Other artists, he told us, seem to want to have their works displayed in pristine galleries, away from wandering hands, elevated to some higher status.  Fahcheong is adamant that his public works anyway, be for the public and of the public.  It is no use creating a piece of work which is in a public space and most likely paid for by the public’s tax dollars, to be completely untouchable and unapproachable.  It must mean something to those viewing it, and become a part of their lives as a result of it.

Some interesting quotes and ideas from the interview:

“People read agendas and meanings of their own into public art pieces.”

“Unless you want to be stone dead, you have to move.”

“Public art should have continuity and be part of place and history; become the stories that endure.”

We’re all excited over the rather unconventional venue – fahcheong’s work studio, complete with wood chips on the floor and works in progress – and looking forward to the many varied reactions that we’re sure to receive.  The exhibition will be open to the public from November 18 – 26, 2011 at Emily Hill.

Works in wood, bronze and stone will be presented, revealing fahcheong’s personal development of ideas, and the maturation of both his concepts and his methodology.

Stay tuned for further details and the official invite!