April, 2012
Capturing Singapore scenes on paper
Every few weeks, a crowd of people gathers in the streets of Singapore. They walk together, searching for the perfect spot for themselves, then sit down and start to sketch.
These events are called Sketchwalks, and they're organised by a group called Urban Sketchers Singapore. They're a community of artists, both professionals and amateurs, who enjoy meeting up to practise their drawing skills. Together, they've sketched places like the temples of Little India, the cafés of Holland Village, and even the factories of Eunos.
One of the group's leaders is Tia Boon Sim (above). In 2008, she joined Urban Sketchers, an international organization that connects people around the world by getting them to upload and share their drawings of their hometowns. "I never used to show my sketches to anyone," she admits. "But, after I shared them on the Web, I got positive comments, and I got motivated to draw more. I met like-minded people in Singapore, and on weekends we would go out and sketch together."
In July 2009, she decided to open Urban Sketchers Singapore, a local branch of the original group. At first, only four or five participants came on each outing. But, that soon changed. Today, about 60 people come along for each SketchWalk - far more than any other branch of Urban Sketchers in the world. There's quite a range of ages among the members, too. The oldest is a 70 year-old man and the youngest is a five year-old boy – a natural artist, Tia assures us.
Many participants are especially interested in sketching places in Singapore that are changing or disappearing, so they can preserve their memories of these sites. That's why Sketchwalks have been held in places like the now-closed Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the soon-to-be-demolished Old School at Mount Sophia. As an architect, Tia herself has a great love of historical buildings like shophouses. But, she also enjoys drawing Singapore's newer landmarks, like Marina Bay Sands.
Last October, the group had its first ever exhibition in the URA City Gallery. At the same time, a book was published containing 360 sketches by members – including Tia's son, Wee Lip Chiang, who's now studying at the School of the Arts.
Sketches by the members can also be seen at urbansketchers-singapore.blogspot.com. Naturally, you're welcome to join the group yourself, and share your own views of Singapore with the world.
Story by NG YI-SHENG. Pictures by JUSTIN ZHUANG.
These events are called Sketchwalks, and they're organised by a group called Urban Sketchers Singapore. They're a community of artists, both professionals and amateurs, who enjoy meeting up to practise their drawing skills. Together, they've sketched places like the temples of Little India, the cafés of Holland Village, and even the factories of Eunos.
One of the group's leaders is Tia Boon Sim (above). In 2008, she joined Urban Sketchers, an international organization that connects people around the world by getting them to upload and share their drawings of their hometowns. "I never used to show my sketches to anyone," she admits. "But, after I shared them on the Web, I got positive comments, and I got motivated to draw more. I met like-minded people in Singapore, and on weekends we would go out and sketch together."
In July 2009, she decided to open Urban Sketchers Singapore, a local branch of the original group. At first, only four or five participants came on each outing. But, that soon changed. Today, about 60 people come along for each SketchWalk - far more than any other branch of Urban Sketchers in the world. There's quite a range of ages among the members, too. The oldest is a 70 year-old man and the youngest is a five year-old boy – a natural artist, Tia assures us.
Artwork by Urban Sketchers Singapore.
According to her, sketching a site is very different from simply taking a photograph of it. "Drawing on location, you really absorb the atmosphere of the place, you really capture the moment. It gives you a sense of inner peace, and also helps to sharpen your observation skills."Many participants are especially interested in sketching places in Singapore that are changing or disappearing, so they can preserve their memories of these sites. That's why Sketchwalks have been held in places like the now-closed Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and the soon-to-be-demolished Old School at Mount Sophia. As an architect, Tia herself has a great love of historical buildings like shophouses. But, she also enjoys drawing Singapore's newer landmarks, like Marina Bay Sands.
Last October, the group had its first ever exhibition in the URA City Gallery. At the same time, a book was published containing 360 sketches by members – including Tia's son, Wee Lip Chiang, who's now studying at the School of the Arts.
Sketches by the members can also be seen at urbansketchers-singapore.blogspot.com. Naturally, you're welcome to join the group yourself, and share your own views of Singapore with the world.
Story by NG YI-SHENG. Pictures by JUSTIN ZHUANG.