Joyotee's Art and Perspective

Where Else But Kolkata

2012-01-24T04:34:00.001-08:00

Webbed Cactii

2012-01-24T04:33:00.000-08:00

Waiting Her Turn

2012-01-24T04:32:00.000-08:00

This way Please

2012-01-24T04:31:00.000-08:00

The Bank

2012-01-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

She Watches

2012-01-24T04:29:00.000-08:00

Remaining Traces of the Rain

2012-01-24T04:28:00.000-08:00

Lady in White

2012-01-24T04:27:00.000-08:00

Grilled

2012-01-24T04:26:00.002-08:00

Goddess

2012-01-24T04:24:00.000-08:00

Gloomy Day at the Banks

2012-01-24T02:37:00.000-08:00

Attention

2012-01-24T02:35:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012

2012-01-02T05:37:00.000-08:00

It’s already Jan 2012. Here’s wishing you all a happy, healthy, prosperous and creative New Year. The New Year starts with new hope and expectations with the Aviskar 2012, East Meets West. The last day of 2011 was a very fitting end as I got a letter of my grant being approved.
Yes, I had applied for a grant to represent Singapore in Aviskar 2012 and it has come through. A big thank you to Singapore International Foundation, for giving me, this opportunity. I am now officially representing my Lion city state in an exhibition being held in what is the birth city of both my parents. My family and friends are very proud and happy with this turn of events. However after each little baby step that I make I look back and see him, my father. I am sure he is watching me and is happy for me. Often the very thought of him smiling at my small achievements is what keeps me going.
While the last one and a half months have been a fitting end to a very busy year I will now have to get down and get my hands dirty. Yes have not hit the canvas during the long vacation. However it has been very fulfilling as I got a lot of fodder to click during the holiday. I have collected on my stock pile for some upcoming work of art and hope to do some more in January when I attend the show in Kolkata.
So here’s looking forward to a very promising 2012 with a lovely quote by Khalil Gibran.
“Art is a step from what is obvious and well-known toward what is arcane and concealed”.

http://www.sif.org.sg/

Looking Onward

2011-11-10T06:13:00.000-08:00

It’s been a busy year. I will have locked in eight exhibitions by the end of this year. Since I embarked on my art career this has been one of the busiest so far. Earlier as my kids were young I spaced out the creative process. As they grow up and their dependence on their Mother for all their needs decreases, their Mom finds more time at hand which she devotes happily to her other child, “Her Artwork”.
All of these have been group shows and some with celebrated artists from India. This year also saw my exhibitions going to new shores like India and Taiwan. It’s been a busy year of creating and envisioning.
Another first for this year is being displayed at the AAF. The last exhibition of the year will be for the charity cause of “Make a Wish Foundation” through the Dahlia Gallery. For the same I have put in my painting, Gaia In Fragments, a nine frame mixed media of individual canvas mounted together on a ply wrapped in jute.

I also took up the new passion of photography this year. Currently I am looking to blend that with my art. In fact the beginning on next year Jan 2012, Aviskar 2012 sees me exhibit the first of my work in this genre. I am anxious as I am waiting to see the market’s reaction to this new development in my creative process.
On that note I add a favorite photograph of mine taken in my hometown of Singapore. Stay tuned for more news on the mentioned exhibitions.

The Goddess and The Godless

2011-09-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

Between trials and tribulations, chores and chaos, “The Goddess and the Godless”, I find myself entwined. I have a deadline to keep and as always it seems like all the forces of nature are conspiring against me.
I had taken up “Vishwaroop” with a very subjective understanding of the topic. It’s my personal realisation that has mainly been dealt with on canvas. My spirituality and dualities that I have dealt with while balancing the demons within me. It’s a personal rendition of knowledge as I understand it and may or may not necessarily read as Lord Krishna’s knowledge imparted to Arjuna on the battle field.
Trying to find the balance is a favourite topic that I return to, “Ardhanareshwar”. Nature, life and even death all seek balance. This balance in Hindu mythology has been studied as the Ardhanareshwar. The supreme balance between the male and the female attributes, even within the divine, bring about the need for balance in every aspect of our lives. In the Chinese beliefs we can study the same concept as ying and yang. A topic very close to my heart I find myself constantly seeking the balance within me and my chaos. Yet out of dis-balance the new order is formed. Is it just a balance or is it being split between choices and polarities? It’s this inner turmoil that we seek to balance out as well. Hoping to find the balance between my passion and my reasons I return to my canvas to deal with my balanced choices and my unresolved emotions.

Finding Joyotee

2011-07-29T03:02:00.000-07:00

The vagabond in me once again was out to explore the world with other like minded people. And the soul searching once again began. This time nestled between the hills in north of West Bengal’s window to the Himalayas, I spent a beautiful five days in Kalimpong.
This was just after the West Bengal elections and despite the uncertainty in the air we chose to explore for ourselves the life of these people nestled amidst nature’s beautiful scenery. We took a budget carrier from Kolkata airport to Bagdogra and from there we made it via a rented car to Kalimpong. The drive was only two hours long and was hugely scenic. As our flight was delayed by a good two hours we caught the beautiful sunset while churning our way up through the mountains. On the way one saw the snake likeTista River dancing away to her own whims.
Monsoon had not yet set in and hence despite expecting it to be a little chilly we were actually received with just pleasant temperatures. Hmmmmm…….So much for coming to the hills I thought to myself.
We checked into the beautiful Himalayan Hotel. We had seen the pictures online and I had very much forced the others to choose this as our place to reside. I can tell that disappointment was the last thing they had currently on their minds. In fact the pictures on the website did very little justice to the actual place. It was the home to a Mr. David MacDonald from the year 1904 and what a lovely tastefully done up place it is. The grand children are doing a great job of maintaining the standard of the place. It’s not overwhelming and yet it has a quiet sedate statement that it makes with its wooden floor boards and very much still functioning fire place in the rooms. We had a choice to stay in the new wing which has smaller rooms and was built to meet the needs of the growing number of visitors, or the classic old wing. The choice was very clear for us. These rooms came with common verandahs that opened to the view of the hills in front, which I was to actually explore only the next morning.
A quick dumping of belongings and the urgent need to explore the town got us walking down from the hotel area to the town centre which although was a hilly walk up and down was only a decent 10 minutes away. While we were walking we heard pub like sounds from a building sporting a restaurant on its second floor. Most other shops were closing or beginning the process to shut down. In the Hills I realized life in the evening can be very sedate. We walked a bit more lower to discover that this was it……there was not much happening on the streets. Some of my companions chose to try some local food being sold on the cart which was not suitable for vegetarians like yours truly. We then made our way back to the Pub like joint. We had to climb a few flights of stairs and then we were greeted by this dimly lit restaurant which had a bar area to it. It had this whole retro look about it. With huge Bob Marley and John Lenon Posters it looked like we had found our place to hang out. Very colorful but the music was very much to the taste of the locals. Between some Eminem and Hindi music we just relaxed ourselves and got to know the lovely Prerna our waitress, who was a young sweet and Kalimpong local. We had an amazingly satisfying dinner with too much being ordered between the vegetarians and the not. Good food, good company and the hunger to explore more the next day made us so very happy that we did not realize we were the last people to leave the restaurant. It was almost 11 then.
The next day I woke up early and went to the window to see that light broke out at 5 or prior. I could not see much as the clouds were all settled in. I went back to bed only to wake up at 6:30. This time I walked out of my room throwing over my dressing gown and just sat there to take it all in. In front in the lawns that faced me were two beautiful Pines, and below them the sloping layers of kalimpong town lay before me. Then the town receded to the foot hills. There the foothills started to climb and tell their own story. The clouds kept coming into play and distract me from talkiing to the hills. The colours were largely green and blue due to the early morning mist. On my right the view again sloped upwards to higher hills and from there one could hear bag piper sounds being played…or was it. I was later told they were the sounds of the Monastery that found its way to the valley. I just sat there breathing all this in. So different and far away I was from the life I know in a City country called Singapore. Here there was a sense of nothingness in the air. A sense of just being completely, wholly and totally in the moment. I was just there as part of the embellishment of this vast view I felt.
As the sun began to peak and while the cloud argued with it….I rushed in to get my sketch book. I did a quick pencil drawing of the scenery unfolding but I was so taken in by the splendor I just deiced to keep my tools aside and meditate. And meditate I did. It was one of the best. Wait a minute I said one of the best there is more to come.
As my companions rose and we all had our verandah ada commencing we decided it was time for some breaky and cha! The one thing one does around these artisty Bongs is have a lot of cha along with ada. Of course the drink changes as the day progresses. We made plans for the day and we decided to walk around Kalimpong and experience the town and its people. This we did equipped with our cameras. It was fun as it was market day hence it seemed like as though the entire town had descend to do their needful marketing. Loads of colours, people and sounds, it was a hay day for the photographer or aspiring to be. It also was a great way to mingle and experience the people and their lifestyles. We all went our ways and did our own thing. Then we again had a cha and pakoda break. The place we stopped in I would not have normally given a glance. Then again I was out to experience and I wanted to do everything out of the norm. The pakodas were good and so was the tea. It was also fun observing the locals and their eating habits.
Back again in the market we saw the local feta cheese being sold and I must say it did not look appetizing. They were strings of hard blocks of cheese. They were dehydrated for preservation. Colorful as these markets were, I hardly found anything to take back for myself. Oops I spoke to soon. We did find this shop selling a lot of Chinese imported textile, and while the Kolkata residents were happy choosing that, I found my chunky necklaces in the same shop. Their choice was very limited. I thought I had made quite a deal only to be told otherwise by my companions. Too late I had already paid. We continued exploring the up and down allies of the town.
We then heard of a rice paper factory and were just not able to find the correct person to guide us to the whereabouts of the same. While the others were still trotting up and down the street I found my way into an antique store. There they had some lovely prized items. However the person who really likes antique shopping was not with me so I decided to save this for when he comes with me to Kalimpong. Yet the shop owner was so gracious and happy to show us knowing we had very little intentions of buying. I almost narrowed down on a silver bangle but then I had made a decision to live simply and the price of this one did not really fit in the simple range. So I said to myself I have a drawer full of these and one less will only help the drawer close better. One of us however was smart enough to ask the shop owner the directions to the paper factory. We then struck a deal with a cabbie and made our way to this out of nowhere paper factory.
On the way I did spot some interesting ladies standing by their doorways. I was asked by my companions if I knew the nature of their profession and I told them I have been away from the country but not away from this world. That color of lipstick could only mean one profession. I was then told, it is a common lively hood for many up here in the hills with the bad situation of jobs due to declining tourism. That again was due to the political environment created over the last few years. Also many girls from this region were wooed with city jobs only to be taken into the city racket of flesh trading. Sad but such is the hard life of these innocent people from a town that has only tourism and schools to help its economy.
We were dropped off by our cabbie to the destination with no sight of any paper factory. We then had to go looking around people’s houses and I had a feeling we were going to be scolded when one of us found the small and hidden paper factory. Its only sign that it was different from the rest of the houses was that it had yellow walls.
We were then taken through the paper factory and I saw for the first time how handmade paper was actually made. The entire place had an extremely damp and slimy feel to it. After seeing the entire process and asking the necessary questions we were then taken to the room where they sold their ware. All of us ended up choosing quite a lot of paper over here. I still don’t know what I’ll make with those but just looking at that roll amidst my supplies makes me happy. After our purchase we made a walk down to our hotel. On the way we spotted this huge field and all the town youth gathered to see a football match. We too became a part of the spectators along with our shooting cameras.
It was five and I would have actually loved some tea but being a rather warm day I tucked into a cool nice refreshing drink while the others chose chilled beer. Prerna chatted us up and also gave us tips as to what we should visit on the next day. Motivated about the next day’s adventures to explore and with tired feet we went back and crashed in the hotel for a bit. We just lazed and all did our own thing to accumulate again in the verandah with rumbling and hungry stomachs. We decided to meet again in the lobby in fifteen minutes. I was ready and walked down. Our hotel had this cute little dark stairway and the entire colonial air about it. The staircase was adorned with water color paintings of birds. It was quite dark and I chose to be in the lighted area of the lower verandah waiting for the others to join me. We then started our descent down to the town centre happy in the knowledge that we would be tucking in to our lovely Retro Pub food. Their menu had everything, Chinese, local food, Thai and north Indian fair too. Drooling when we climbed the stairs we were greeted with an exiting staff. They were closing down for the day as there were no more clients. Hungry and the prospect of having chocolates and biscuits on a holiday kept us out on the hunt for food. Most carts with food were also doing the disappearing act. Just then we saw this other guy just setting up shop on his road side cart. The downside for the masahari’s was that he only had vegetarian stuff. I was thrilled and happily tucked into his momos. The local dumpling. Its vegetables all rolled with garlic and cheese and put in a thin flour coating and then steamed. To be had with some hot sauce these hot dumplings seemed like a treat for the gods with our rumble grumble roar tummies. My companions had some other puri and chana thing which I must say I was tempted to have but decided to give a pass keeping in mind that we had a few more days to our trip. Completely satisfied we went back and had a nice music session back on our famous verandah to the hotel. Before retiring I was appointed the morning alarm for the rest of the group.
It was also a total lunar eclipse that night……..I woke up at 3 a.m. at the peak to see it and saw an overcast sky and hit the bed again. The next morning did the dutiful bit of waking all and getting us all out of the hotel by 8 a.m. Early by our lazy morning standards.
We then got into a cab and made our way to the morning destination a Monastery called Durpin. It was an uphill drive and a lovely one. We passed by the army camp en route and then we reached the Monastery gates. It was a beautiful clear day with bluest skies I had seen since we had got there. We had our cha at the local auntie’s store and bought some biscuits to go along with it as there was no other breakfast option. After satisfying the cha urge we hit the Monastery and then began, a few hours of photography only stopping in between for another round of cha. While in the Monastery and experiencing one the most beautiful prayers sessions I went into a trance meditation. The sounds were as beautiful as was the place. Once the round of prayer was done I went up to explore the different corners of the place and soon mist started to roll in. The entire place started having a dream like effect on me. It was like being lost in the super consciousness. This is how it must feel I thought to myself. Totally content and being in the moment I forgot who I was and what I was doing there. It was a magical morning for me and one of the most beautiful ones in this lifetime. I was quiet and withdrawn as were my other companions. There was little need for words as we were all experiencing the moment. When we had enough of Pray, we thought we needed some Eat and decided to head back towards Kalimpong. There were no cabs and we started to walk down in the mist. The dampness enveloped us and we kept walking while some kept clicking. I had lost all urge to click. I just wanted to breathe it all in.

After walking down for almost 20 minutes we found a cab that brought us down to the town centre where we did some pet pooja. After a very satisfying Lunch we went for a snooze to the hotel. The meal was heavy and so was the experience earlier. After a 2 hour rest we head to Daelo one of the sightseeing points of Kalimpong. This was another recommendation by our dear Prerna. I am glad we listened to her. We discovered an area which was quite and secluded and this is where the senior artist began to give us some live demonstration in water color. The scenery kept unfolding before our eyes and it kept playing tricks on my artist friend. The clouds were happily playing with mountains and softly telling us their secrets. It was yet another moment I shall cherish. Some other tourists also found the spot and wanted to express their excitement in their personal way.
It then started to drizzle and we were caught up there with no vehicle. We had to request the coffee shop owner to call and get a taxi for us from the closest town. While we waited for our cab we had a nice rain filled coffee. I just sat there in the growing rain filled darkness and thought to myself, would I have taken these risks if I was here as a mother, wife or daughter. No, would be the answer. Much of the things I found myself doing was because I was traveling on my own as Joyotee. Just an individual without any relationship tags. The rest of the days continued to be an exploration of not just Kalimpong but me as a person, me wanting to be who I am as an individual even before I am an artist too. We visited some more monasteries and did a lot more shooting various Kalimpong highlights. We were even threatened to be stuck there due to road closures and bad rains ………yet through it all I felt I found what makes me happy. Being adventurous and trying new things I normally would not dare to. Back at home I have been satisfied at my hand at photography and also been trying some of the water color tips I picked in this trip. However very often I just drift off to the sounds of the monastery and the healing effect it had on my mind and body. Standing there at that moment I had wanted to just stay there forever. In a sense I did stay there in that moment as I brought it back with me. I close my eyes on a busy Singapore day, and think back and it comes floating back like a dream.

Meditation In Motion

2011-04-09T21:28:00.000-07:00

In life we are faced with different situations and experiences. Most of these leave us rich in feelings and memories. A Holiday sometimes is a great way to have all of the above. This March I had a wedding to attend in the Indian state of Rajasthan, a glamorous and fun fair it was with lots colours and rituals that made me feel so in love with our entire Indian culture. We had our very close non Indian friends sharing these moments with us and it was a very special occasion. Once the wedding was over we set out to explore the state of Rajasthan.
Amidst the forts and palaces, sand dunes and architecture we found ourselves lost in time looking for our space. Rajasthan is one of those places that most people probably come back feeling dizzy with an array of emotions. The sudden street side dancing, a turbaned man playing an ethinic musical instrument or the snake charmers that charm your soul away……..all this leave you feeling like you don’t want to ever say Goodbye to it. For a state that boasts so much I had very little time to shop or the inclination too. I was too busy collecting myself through these experiences.
I found my space in the Gajner Palace 15 km outside of Bikaner. I felt I belong and I froze their and did not want to leave the place. I had some experiences there and in a Jain temple, which were very overwhelming and beautiful. A sense of timelessness prevailed through these. After a dizzing doze of Rajasthan we moved to West Bengal, Kolkata namely and it was my visit there after nine long years. Why Nine, well we take that out of this space. More importantly there was a lot of family catching up to do. It was fun witnessing my children’s reaction to all the extended family and how much of it they actually had. After Rajasthan, Kolkata seemed like a balm on our traveled feet and backs which were still reeling from the camel rides. We soaked in the family fair and then of course the main reason I was there, my first group exhibition ever and that too in India. It’s the names I was being presented along side with that made it a special experience. I was also proud to be the first artist chosen from Singapore to represent this festival that is now in its fourth tenure.
Then my family moved back to Singapore while I decided to do something out of my character be a little adventurous!! I moved to a fishing village under the guidance of a senior artist and tried to seek some inspiration from the environment. A shift happened here. Observing them one felt that their life was frozen in time. They were untouched by what we know as life, be it the internet or all our modern amenities. Simple and friendly souls who were ever so curious to find out why we were so motivated to capture their life on our respective mediums. They assumed I was an alien to their land and could not speak their language which made it fun to hear them discuss and talk about me and my experiences. Hilarious as it was it was also sweet to observe their innocence. Naturally so, they don’t see a jeans clad woman trotting about with a sketch book and camera in those parts everyday with her sun glasses on!! Well, I did make one great friend there. Man’s best friend that is. This fella took to me since day one and decided to be my guardian. When I spoke to him in English probably a language he is not used to he happily wagged his tail at me. A total stray soul found his place beside me and my back pack. I loved stroking his ugly patched half bitten fur. I found myself doing things I could never normally imagine. I sat on wet sandy steps to sketch boats. I took the local push cart and made the guy lug my heavy weight and felt guilty about it, but it saved me an hour’s walk!! Evenings were contemplatary listening to “the artist” and his vast experiences. The food here was simple and so tasty. My feet hurt but my thirst for learning felt like it had just begun its true journey.
So overwhelming was this entire trip for me that if left me feeling empty in a certain way. When I came back to my own environment I felt alien in it. It felt removed from it all… hmmm…….maybe I had some very real experiences that left me feeling raw and hungry for more. My material needs were replaced by a numbness. Slowly and gradually the realization that I need to prepare for the group show in April made me hit my canvas.
“Any True feeling is ultimately spiritual” was what I was told by a friend….and that was what I had experienced. Hence my conclusion that Life seriously is a journey, and a “Meditation in Motion”.

That Time of the Year

2010-10-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, its the sound of the dhaak, that makes each Bengali nostalgic about Poojo. The smell of the dhuno, the chandipath during the poojas, the new clothes, the new shoes we have been waiting to wear.....its an entire childhood experience that we have grown with and lived it year after year. Poojo's, something we all look forward to.
Its this time of the year I miss my Dad the most. He would always stand out as the most die hard Bengali in his signature Pristine white Dhotis and Kurtas which were starched well but not stiff. His entire presence spelt out the proverbial "Dada". Those lovely evenings, we would wait for him to get back from the shoot. He would invariably have one during that time of the year much to my Mother's disapproval. My sisters would get all dressed and I was the first to get dressed and would love to observe the meticulous details with which they did their eyes. I wished I could apply some of that too. I was told young kids look best with their natural splendour. (I use that on my daughter now.) Those were fun days of family and togetherness. My father always believed in women power and it was no surprise that he was a great follower of the Mother Goddess Durga.
During his time of physical trial, he kept praying to her.The last few days he just chanted her name. She did respond to his call and it was on the first day of the Pooja, namely the Shoshti, when she responded to his call. When the idols were all entering their respective abodes for the next five days, she chose to relieve him of his pain. It was a difficult few years for us. We could not step into another pooja pandaal for a good few years. Then I met Rony, soon we got married. Pooja now was again a family affair. However the family I married into respected my wishes to stay away from the poojos on shoshti. I keep that day strictly to just remember what those good times were like when we were a family of five. I continue with that tradition to this date. I do look forward to the poojas knowing that he is with his favorite "Ma". While doing so we too are creating memories for our children for them to grow up and remember. Our children too will grow upto cherish these five days of total fun, food and splendour.

Maya- No more my Illusion

2010-09-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

Yup...Maya has been well received. Thank you to a whole group of people who believe in me and my art. The entire experience has been exhilarating and very satisfying. To all my patrons "A Big Thank You!"
The journey now begins for whats next to come. As an artist I cannot rest and have to keep looking forward.
However there have been some achievements in this exhibition.
For one for the first time I handled male figures, not to mention 6 packs on my Arjuna. Secondly it was taking such a somber topic and making it eye catching and soul pleasing was one of the biggest challenges which I seemed to have overcome. The works seem to have gotten over people's apprehensions of owning something with such gravity. On the last note just an observation, we should dream our dream and the entire universe will come together to make it work....something I have felt the books, "The Secret" and the "Meta Secret" constantly emphasize.
I loved Creating "Maya - An Illusion" but now the quest for the next one begins. Here's to many more to come.

Maya- An Illusion

2010-08-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

Maya - An Illusion
is all ready. The paintings are at least. There is work here and there that needs to be done. That probably will go on, till the evening of the opening. I have to try to chill amongst all this. Tomorrow's Yoga, Sudarshan Kriya follow up and Meditation should help in this process.

Wish some other personal matters would just resolve without me having to worry too much about them. This is life...we have to have our share of worries. So acceptance is the only way to move forward.

On a lighter note, I had an interview with 938 live and it was so much fun talking to Pamela Ho and Stanley about Maya - An Illusion. I am uploading the interview on the blog as well. If you friends see any listings of the exhibition anywhere please keep that copy for me. I am quite blur these things generally go unnoticed by me.

I hope I see all you friends at Maya. She is waiting to see your response to her Illusion. xxxxx

Almost there

2010-08-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

My Maya is almost complete!!!! Just one more and that’s it. It’s been a fun journey of exploring these characters and my twist to them. I have had my share of upheavals. However that is what makes it more fruitful. Whoever said I was not supposed to have my fair share of troubles. All these upheavals makes me who I am and makes Maya – An Illusion who she is. I have cried, laughed and learnt in this entire process….most importantly I have evolved. Maya – An Illusion to be unveiled on the 3rd of August at the Arts House is what makes me proud at this point of time.
On a personal note I have mixed feelings. I am happy for a close friend who has found some relief to her hardships…..(then again she is a powerful woman and this too has defined her); Another friend who after some challenges in terms of illness at home, and renovating home has settled in to her nest. She also happens to be a great patron for my art.  On a personal note, I am looking forward to a marriage in the family and of course the Durga Poojas. However, like every exhibition I tend to go back to the one figure from who my art stems, My dad! I miss him and keep wishing he was here to see me blossom as an artist. After all it is his legacy that I wish to carry forward. To Maya and Dad….here is looking forward to many more to come.

The Clock is Ticking

2010-07-26T00:57:00.000-07:00

Yes and I can't seem to stop. The clock I mean. So my only other choice is keep on painting!!

I have been avidly researching on styles and various other artists and grand masters. While doing so I did find out that apart from me the other artist who has actually given our epic Mahabharata a place on his canvas is M.F. Husain. That does have a feel good aspect to it. :)

I have done the ever essential work of making media aware of the upcoming exhibition. However I mostly believe that its the work that will speak for itself. And while I also know the fact that most artists were not appreciated in their own time, today things have changed and we do expect an almost immediate result and appreciation of the work. However expectations aside my theme this time is a little more intense, as I am delving into the psyche's of some characters of an established Indian epic. I am even aware that I may draw some negative criticism for my handling of the theme. I am prepared for all of that. Then again good art should provoke some conversation...so I am hoping for some of that too.

On the down side...due to the weather one of my oils which was drying on the wall, got knocked down by a strong gust of wind and is damaged....so have to do some fixing work as well.

Just a couple of more canvases and I am done!! I cant wait to stand and see what the entire collection put together will look like in that gallery!!!

In a Happy Place

2010-07-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

Its been a while. Between being uninspired and a ruined canvas, a busy schedule with administrative work piling up, I have been a little slow in painting. For the last two days I did find my next topic turning out to be satisfactory. I am using oils and I just cannot stop raving about what a beautiful medium it is. That said it takes a hell of a long time to dry…with no real studio, and kids in the house I find myself very worried, until it dries out. I am very protective about the canvas!
The state of Mind is so important to churning out a painting, that you actually can stand back and appreciate the results. Yesterday was a lovely day spent (with the folks of Meranti home and the Silra home) at Sentosa. I really think I should do more of these things because you feel so light and happy when around such happy cheerful people. Over here I have to mention the lovely Seva group that Art of Living has formed under the guidance of Sashi, my dear friend. I will be putting up some pictures on my Facebook soon. Nothing beats a little Seva as this is what that brings true happiness. Difficult to explain but I am sure you all know what I am talking about. 
Quite a few of you have been enquiring whether I will actually make it in time for the exhibition…..I am sure I will. It is all this other stuff I wish I had help with. Any takers!!!!!!

Karna

2010-07-03T03:39:00.000-07:00

With each painting I am learning something new! I make mistakes and those mistakes end up adding to the flavor of the painting. My latest painting was on Karna. I spent days, actually weeks contemplating on how I should approach what I wanted to bring out as his state of Mind. Yesterday I finally gave up procrastinating and went to select a canvas. Just went with the gut feeling and started with a square of 30 x 30 inches.
I just let me feelings flow. I am most satisfied when I go wild with a canvas…..I splash paint…play with various techniques and suddenly out of nowhere I began to see what I had in mind take form. This time I used colors which are very unconventional. A mistake ended up creating the main texture for the painting. And the pain of Karna almost seems real, reaching out to you from out of the canvas. Simple with few lines and just the subject matter enhanced with one main symbol I achieved what I had thought to be one of the main hurdles of this series. Phew!!
That being said I have still a few challenges ahead of me. I shall keep writing about them….as for what “Karna” looks like……keep following the blog!

Joyotee's Canvas

2010-06-26T02:48:00.000-07:00

My new website is all fresh out of the bakery! Get a sniff of it and tell me what it's like!!

Waiting to hear all your responses!!

Chaos and Creation

2010-06-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

Amidst all the chaos of life, I have managed to complete my sixth canvas. I am giving myself a pat for the circumstances under which this one was done. It took a good two weeks to complete.
While working on this canvas I understood how our body can sometimes control our entire well being, and pushing it only makes things worse. Also how the loss of someone you know can completely throw you of your positive frame of mind! It is difficult holding on to being positive and making positive that all that life throws your way! Hello! I said difficult but not impossible…..
Yes, I am low on energy and could not produce as many canvases as I would have liked to, however I have now, got clarity, a sense of direction for the exhibition. I am trying to get more organized, and if you know me personally or if you know any artist for that matter you must know, that is a tough job on its own!
This quality time spent with family has definitely been a bonus! That automatically puts you in a great frame of mind….plus I have had my little muses literally dictating what colors to put on the canvas. The older one thinks she is a qualified critic and even gives her honest opinion on my creations. In all it has been a very interesting experience painting my Krishna! Yes that is the painting I just got done….for images please stay tuned!!!!

Maya: Unfolding

2010-06-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

Maya : An Illusion, slowly is taking form from just being an illusion. Many of you have enquired what Maya is all about, so here I take to unfolding my Maya! Maya is about the characters of the Mahabharata! Whenever I have said it the immediate reaction is “vow”!! Is it because it is too big a topic…I don’t know!

On the other hand I cannot find myself doing only beautiful images to be put up in living rooms. Yes that element is necessary but at the same time as an artist I think it is also necessary to sometimes shock and ask questions through my art. Why Mahabharata some might ask. Well there is not a greater Indian form of literature that is so rich in characters and their situations. Their dilemmas and challenges were not of just that time. They could well be ours! In a sense they are timeless and we constantly find ourselves in those battle’s that they fought; yes battles of morality and ego, their power struggles were not just theirs. Time may have moved on but much of the strife in today’s world also stems from these same power struggles. Modes of battle and techniques have changed but basic nature of human beings has changed but little. Time and again thus I think it is necessary to evaluate these old texts of ours to learn and re-learn if we can undo some of their mistakes.
Maya : An illusion is an aim to study these characters in their real light…as human beings and not so much as demi Gods!
For more on Maya watch this space!

Love and Gratitude:

2010-06-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

Yes that is what I am feeling for so many of you queried about how I was doing and when I was going to bounce back. There are many from different parts of the world that actually sent me healing and blessings…thanks to all of you too!
I have been away from the canvas for the last five days but I am seem to have a certain clarity in thought. I see everything more clearly now. It is our judgement that clouds things at times….yeah basically we need to stop judging…let’s stop dividing in terms of black and white …..Without different experiences and people the world would be a boring place. We need the spectrum of colour so let’s go and rejoice this colourful world! I need these various colour swatches to create ;) Let’s live and let Live each in our own ways!!!!

Maya: An Illusion

2010-05-28T00:03:00.000-07:00

Maya: An Illusion is what I am working on. More about what Maya will be in subsequent weeks. For now I just wanted to pen my state of mind.
I have finished about five canvases and would need a decent ten more to fill up the space. So exalted I am that all I can think of is my current canvas and the ones to follow suit. It’s fun because I feel removed from the cares of the word. Nails are badly cracked and in need of a manicure…but who cares now. I have this immense urge to keep at canvas after canvas. Even when brushes are resting and my hand is away from the canvas my mind is still at work. Amazing is this feeling. I was running a temperature this morning and I did not even realize that I was unwell….who cares….I am so happy….:D

Priscilla's diary

2010-04-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

P-Diary an interesting 365 etchings by Priscilla Wong and now showing at the Substation Gallery, was an interesting study into a young ladies mind. These etchings mostly with Mandarin writings come with English translations that you borrow at the gallery. The cute literal translations add to the humour and wit of P.
While reading her various food escapades you actually get a taste of what a young single woman’s life in Singapore is like. You read about her food trials, her happiness over the fact that Universal is now going to be in Singapore or how desolate she can feel on Valentine’s Day. Like most women, she deals with menstruation and PMS with satire. A young lady, who has her life compartmentalized otherwise, lets us in into her emotional world of etchings. The graphic description of things and people make it a witty read. Yet at the same time her fears are dealt in a child like manner as when she makes her sisters fibroid illness a ‘monster that deserves to be kicked’. You learn about her Japanese boy friend that appears every now and then, in her etchings, as mirthful time spent together either on a holiday or when he is visiting. These are the times you actually see a much lighter mood in her etchings. My Nine year old who was with me while we were at the gallery was happy to see “YH” her friend manning the exhibition. She pointed out he had the same blazer on, as he had on in one of the drawings. One gets an immense Singapore flavor through her etchings and can almost see Singapore drift by in the 365 days through these drawings.
What Priscilla has done is she has created a whole new genre through her diary of illustrations which she maintains via her blog http: prissydiary.blogspot.com She has created a new medium of expression and I am not surprised is showing in the right place for experimental art i.e. The Substation. In future we can expect to see her in print form when a publisher probably buys the rights to her illustrations and brings it to our home, for a lazier read on the couch.

2010-04-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Meditation in Motion
Its been a while that I have written about my art! Energy remains to be explored...maybe for another time. For now I am happy just exploring themes for the forth coming exhibition. For a person who finds her energy through yoga and meditation I also realized that the reason I am happier when I paint is because Painting is "meditation in Motion". While giving form to the soul on the canvas you connect with your own soul. While doing so you block the material world submerging and uniting with the canvas. This helps dissolving the ego.
If an artist develops ego that is much later after the work of art has been cut loose and starts to live an existence on its own. By right by then the artist should not attach but detach themselves. However that is easier said than done. For now I am happy with my Meditation in Motion!!!!!!

Energy

2009-07-24T01:43:00.000-07:00

As promised my next work will be on energy. I have started thinking about ideas and sketching them as well. I am trying to bring onto my canvas ,energy in motion. I shall keep my subject matters out of this post. However this is a fun phase as this will be my first group exhibition and just as I am anxious about being presented with trained artists this also allows me a new dimension to my art perspective. The moving out of the complacency of a solo show means being directly compared to other artists and I think I am ready for that. :) Lets just say "Energy" is flowing in me as of now.
Comment:

Meeting Jogen Chowdhury

2008-11-14T00:43:00.000-08:00

This year has been rather eventful for me. I wont go into the description of it all but I have had my fair share of ups and downs. On the upside I have had a very successful exhibition and an equally successful open house more recently. I have also had the pleasure of making some interesting associations this year.
One of the most interesting of course was my meeting with the reknowed artist Jogen Chowdhury. I was representing a magazine in the Art Singapore 2008 and he was one of the main artists whose works were being exhibited. A Japanese collector has created a museum out of his private collection of all Jogen's works. I had a four hour long chat with Jogen and it was so nice to undrestand him and where his art was springing from. Much like his art his thoughts are also abstract and it was fun to sew all the ideas together for an article in interview style. The article has been published recently in India Se. I leave it at that as this space is not an advertorial for any product or person.

Turmoil and Art

2008-11-13T21:58:00.001-08:00

This has been that phaze in life where I have needed to start over on many things fresh. Fresh ideas, feelings emotions and of course experiences. Having said that I still think it was one of the best times to understand even the most necessary of relations.
Trying as these past five months have been they have also seen me throughsome great experinces of bonding with family and especially my children. Life teaches us not to take things for granted. I have also learnt to face upto my fears or else they will come back another day to haunt me.
During this entire phaze I have done some different paintings. The figures in the last few works have been blurred and the elements in the back drop seem to emerge more prominently.

Beijing Goes West

2008-07-31T01:35:00.001-07:00

Beijing Goes West
Between December 2007 and June 2008 Justin Lee made four trips to Beijing in the People’s Republic of China. This enabled Justin to create a subject matter out of the East and West Juxtaposition namely due to gearing up of the Olympics and how China is groping to adjust being in the spotlight amidst all this growing tension and attention.

He uses wit in his subject matter to bring about the subtle nuances in the tiresome procedure of gearing up for the Olympics and creates beautiful images through the ancient Chinese art of paper cut motifs . Using iconic signs as a silhouetted Mickey Mouse and the famous M sign that is normally understood as Mc. Donald’s he brings about the subtle hint of it also standing for Mao. This interlacing of how the influences of the West have been adopted and yet have been mixed in the mainstream culture as their very own iconic symbols if what Justin seems to emphasize.

Works such as the Olympic Treats brings about the twist in the children’s fate. He uses the Olympic signs as dollops of ice cream creating an excellent pop art image. However when one strips the layers you do see what Justin wants us to which is the hardship that the children have been facing for the rigorous training and hence losing out on what should normally be their childhood. In works such as the Torch Bearer he brings about the commercial aspect of the Sponsors being in the spotlight instead of the sportsmen and hence the old man as being the torch bearer hinting his wealth as the reason he gets the key role.

Justine Lee born in Singapore and has done his diploma from Laselle-SIACollege of Arts in1999. He then went on to do his BA in painting from NAFA in 2006. Justin does not restrict himself to the canvas alone but is also known for his public installations and décor concepts for shopping centers (Gaysorn Plaza, Bangkok, 2006; Centrepoint, Singapore 2007) and product promotional art (Absolut Vodka, Loewe TV). He has won diverse awards such as the Singapore Motorola Style Awards 2005 (Visual Arts) and is one of the international winners of the Montblanc Young Artist World Patronage Project 2006. Beijing Goes West is his Sixth Solo exhibition and is on now at the Utterly Art until the 10th of August 2008.

Beijing Goes West
Justin Lee
Utterly Art
229A South Bridge Road, Level 2
Tel: 6226 2605
Email: utterlyart@pacific.net.sg
Mon –Sat 12 p.m. -8 p.m., sun 12 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

Shakti Is Speaking for itself

2008-07-11T23:49:00.000-07:00

Shakti: the only word to describe the experience is Awesome, as is the response to it. It was a fabulous opening night...thanx to all of you art lovers and great friends! I can only promise that this is just the beginning and there will be more such fabulous evenings to come in the future!

I have already given a thought to my next exhbition. I have begun reflecting on the theme....stay tuned for more..............

Shakti: Powerful / or Not

2008-06-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

Its a few more days to the exhbition. Shakti is breathing down my nape. I can feel it......its a unique feeling.
Anticipation, excitement, expectations.....so many feelings all bundled together creating that light headed feel.
Prior to that the competition for UOB awards. I am entering this year after years. How will that go? My daughter advised me "think positive"....knowledge from a seven year old is like the divine speaking to me......I think the same applies for Shakti as well......think positive is what it is all about.

Opening Nights

2008-05-24T02:51:00.000-07:00

I have been attending a few opening nights....its a little tiring. You have to pretend very often to like and discuss works that you would have ordinarily just ignored. I hate pretending.

Have been meeting few interesting people and I like that. My art is about people and I like meeting different people from different walks of life.

I think an artist has to be cynical to get good art extracted and portrayed on a canvas. These opening nights do bring out the cynicism to the best. Its all about who knows who.

On a lighter note however I am looking forward to my own opening night as thats the time the artist chills has fun and lets others do the work of pulling out their cheque books. My last one was chilled out to the extent that I knew I had not done homework before planning the exhibtion. This time I hope I am doing it right.

More importantly if people appreciate the work genuinely you will know with the red dots by the end of the exhibition. So lets says CHEERS to a lot of red dots this time round!

Anticipation

2008-05-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

The exhibition is in July and I have more or less completed the paintings. Its all this other stuff of preperation that is bogging me down....I am just waiting to see how people recieve this exhibition. This one is important to me being taken seriously in the Singapore art world.........lets see how it goes!!

My Inspiration

2008-04-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

I often get inspired by the silliest things around me. Its funny but I seem to feel like the urge to get on a canvas and bring it all out when I am depressed or angry. Or so I thought. Lately however I am happy with the goings on in my life or atleast know how to deal with the problems that crop up and yet I am able to find that inspiration to paint. I used to think it impossible to paint without a negative emotion. I stand corrected!!

Happiness brings along with a postive frame of mind which helps me to tackle my canvas more confidentally. I love the fact that what I had in my minds eye is what I bring out on the canvas now!!

Ofcourse like any other human being I have my downs as well...but I find myself doing other mundane work and not approaching a canvas. To sum up I think currently my inspiration comes from the fact that I know that positive is healthy and good for all. Breath is life, but understanding the breath is knowledge....and I hope slowly but surely I am making it there.

Shakti

2008-04-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

Name: Joyotee
Comment: I have a show comming up in July. I am very excited as this is my second solo show and I am looking forward to seeing what the arts community and collectors in general will have to say about this collection. I know I have grown in my work and I feel the difference compared to my last show. Techinically my knowledge has become more sound and my style is more devloped. My last show "Impressions" was an attempt to feel what I aspire to be doing creatively as an artist. I have found that ground and "Shakti" hence is more mature.