[PhotoSparks] Delight, deception and decolonisation: how art challenges us all

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In this photo essay, we showcase the outstanding and provocative art installations at Singapore’s National Gallery, Museum of Art, Eagle’s Eye Art Gallery, and Tokyo Gallery.

In the earlier 125 posts, we brought you a wide range of creative photographs from an art fair, world music festival, painting fair, telecom expo, art museum, mobile showcase, math museum, social hackathon, bookstore, co-working space, sensorium, international design week, flower show, outdoor ads, startup roadshow, computer museum, startup T-shirts, business cards, art therapy, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, Vesak, jazz festival, modern art gallery, ecopreneurs, painter-poets, health activists, eNGOs and digital innovators.

My recent travels to Singapore took me to the Light Art Festival in Marina Bay and Singapore Design Week. In this photo essay, we showcase the artwork of Southeast Asian artists M.Tan, Moeco Matsushita, Chamraung Vichienket, Pacita Abad, and Gatot Indrajati. We also feature the optical illusions (‘op art’) of Bridget Riley, as documented by art historian Silke Vry.

Art can serve as an important tool of decolonisation by capturing colonial era atrocities as well as the aspirations of freedom movements. In the modern digital era, algorithmic design is also a notable emerging art form. Special effects and optical illusions have been creatively devised by a range of artists as well. At the same time, frugal design with canvas, buttons, slippers and even used grape twigs can delight and provoke the imagination.

Art can be an expensive business, but emerging artistes are showing that creativity with basic materials also opens up expressive possibilities and new career opportunities; art can even come out of galleries and studios and decorate public benches. Growing community involvement and ecosystem support are opening up new horizons for the creative mind across Asia.

In sum, art covers a wide spectrum of forms and emotions, ranging from dazzle and delight to deception and decolonisation. What new experiences have you had with art this week?

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

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