Singapore artist Chew Tzu Tiam picked up painting after his retirement. A self taught artist, he explored different mediums, from acrylic to Chinese ink, enjoying the energy of every medium he experimented with.
Pastel was one of the mediums he picked up after he retired, as it was relatively easier to handle for novices. To inspire others to fill their retirement with the beauty of art, he decided to showcase his pastel paintings in his first solo art exhibition.
“Retirement in Pastel” features 20 pastel paintings, which he created using mainly soft pastels. The works include scenes of train stations, villages, gardens, forests and ponds.
These scenes are mostly imaginary, which he created by combining images of what he saw or encountered. For example, this village scene with coconut trees, a river and attap houses, is based on the kampungs he visited in Malaysia.
He believes that an artist should be free to express himself in whatever way he feels, as he is painting for himself, and not for others. Hence it doesn’t matter to him if the painting differs from reality; if he feels like the sky should be orange, it shall be orange.
For instance, in this lovely painting of a pond with blooming red and white flowers and turquoise floating leaves, does it really matter if it is a lotus or waterlily pond? Maybe what is more important is how the painting makes us feel; is it a picture of serenity or joy?
Chew has a special message to retirees who are contemplating picking up painting: when you are painting, just think that you are the only one who will see this painting and you will be able to draw it. Most of the time, we are just too concerned about what others will say or will think, to just, try.
And to Chew, the arts is the best retirement job/hobby/pastime, because it is a never ending journey of learning and mastering, of fulfilment and fun.
"Chew Tzu Tiam 周子添 : Retirement in Pastel" solo art exhibition runs from 1 to 31 March 2024 at Bedok Library in Singapore.
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