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Asia Pop

Private Rojak Corner

A NEW ASIAN POP ART?

Written by Christopher Drake

Published article in the Singapore Gallery Guide, June 2005

Nobody denies the diversity and richness of historical Asian art – but what of the contemporary? Casual browsing at the bulk of modern Asian Art might lead many people to think that many Asian artists are playing a game of “catch up” with their western counter parts.

It would seem that for so long we’ve been almost happily sedated with the refined brushstrokes that define classical Asian imagery, the delicate floral arrangements, hauntingly beautiful scenery and depictions of culturally diverse humans, serenely going about their business. This is the Asia, which sits well with an almost official version and within unspoken imposed colonial barriers. While Western artists have pushed the extremes and attempted to make people think – the Asian artist concentrates on perfecting the almost microscopic detail of a lotus petal – and yes, this is probably an unfair stereotyped generalization – but perhaps an undeniable one, as far as stereotyped generalizations go.

The fact is that developments throughout Asia are a stream of surprises as far as their imagery is concerned. Whist the “West” appears to be increasingly homologous, Asia is becoming increasingly diverse - and the classical “Western” influence of modernity is no longer the only dominant force for the future. Singapore is a perfect example as it continues its trajectory of a “Western styled” hub of efficiency, but the “West” is no longer the only strong influence. India and China are fast becoming economic super powers and they are exerting their unique influence. Parts of the so called “third world” are becoming rich and powerful. Peoples who followed are now beginning to lead. And socially agile countries like Singapore reflect this more than most; after all, here is a country that has historically managed to harmonize profound racial boundaries, and it will probably be here where we will see the most profound evidence of increasingly robust expression from an increasingly outgoing Asia.

Look Up!

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The demand for new art by Asians themselves, is a new driving force in the art market. And they will want what is authentically modern, fresh and new and it just so happens that it’s them! And while many believe that wealth and power are at odds with pure artistic expression – every renaissance had to get funding. We are seeing new money for new art, which will lead Asian artists to push themselves into new techniques, new ideas and to develop new levels of innovation and inspiration. In the future, when we look back, this period of artistic expression will be recorded as a new beginning of Asian art in terms of experimentation and reflection – and not just an attempt to “catch up”.

Rising above the bland abstracts and the stereotypical Asian themed art/décor for export, is a spontaneous art movement; a new generation of young Asian artists that are drawing upon the diverse imagery of their culture and morphing it into loud and punchy images that demand attention. And it would appear refreshingly clear, that their objective is not just to do something “modern”, but to reflect and express an Asia that is undergoing radical social magnification. One such body of work is that produced by the award winning Ketna Patel. Ketna is a well travelled African born, western educated Indian, who resides in Singapore. “I’m like so many Asians”, she says “happily culturally schizophrenic, yet deeply grounded in an evolving Asian culture”.

Ketna goes on to say “artists have a responsibility to reflect and project the changing society they live in”. And for Ketna, this translates into powerful Asian images recently transmuted through pop art. And the results provoke the senses. Diverse religious icons, the extremes of real life and the rigid chaos of the Asian social landscape are extruded through loud and proud electric colors – that almost makes it advertising or perhaps artvertising, “I try to compress an illustrious past, a changing present and a rapidly unfolding future, so the observer gets multiple messages” explains Ketna, “in a few seconds they have to get the message – this is Asia, this is what I see”.

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