Singaporean artist Poh Siew Wah is showcasing a new series of water media works in an exhibition entitled 'Cityscape ( A New Dimension)’' at Momentous Arts from August 19 to September 3. The 15 works on paper and two canvas works are painted in watercolours, acrylics and ink and portrays Singapore cityscapes.
In Cityscapes, Poh is revisiting the theme that is close to his heart - the scenes and landscape of Singapore. Poh's early works were mostly well-loved scenes of the Singapore river and street vendors that were a common sight in the eighties, which he rendered in representational mode. In his new works, Poh is confronting history, hopes, changes and nostalgia; familiar memories and emotions flood his mind.
Stylistically, Poh presents a new vision - a very personal one which reflects his perspective in seeing the Singapore cityscape old and new. Familiar places such as Cavenagh Bridge are rendered in semi-abstract, cubistic and architectonic composition with an emphasis on the artist expressive and powerful gestural brushstrokes. Leaving the story - telling behind, the artist aims to present to viewers a stylistic, non-traditional approach to colours and composition. The paintings are directly executed under strong inspiration of the scenes, using only traditional chinese brushes The hasty brushworks and textural marks are active elements delivered with vigour and panache along with lively colours, contrasting against the white ground.
A respected watercolourist and self-taught artist, Poh has said in the 'Singapore Artists Speak' book that he picked up watercolour as a recording medium and that he saw the need to put spiritual abstraction in his art. It was in 1989 and after his trips to visit Museums in Europe that Poh started to move away from realism and towards abstract and non-representational art. Those trips completely changed his attitudes to art from one of conservatism to the modern and avant-garde. He had experimented with Cubism and adopted some of the movement structural elements into his works. Poh was motivated to paint from his heart and the search for 'self' in his art became more important than just depicting his subjects in their natural form with accuracy.
About the Artist
Born in 1948, Poh Siew Wah is a self-taught artist and stamp designer. Early in his career, Poh taught art in government schools and at the Nanyang Junior College. He left in 1999 to persue a career in art full-time.
Poh's career achievements include being invited to exhibit at The Court of Justice hall in Flensburg, Germany and a commission art project at the Farrer Park MRT station. Poh's works are also in the Singapore National Museum's permanent collection. His painting has been included in a special stamp issue that featured towering pioneer artist Georgette Chen and Lim Cheng Hoe. His works are well received and collected locally and overseas by corporate and institutional collectors.
