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;