Maya Gallery is pleased to present Home, a solo exhibition by third generation Singapore artist Sunar Sugiyou at the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore. The exhibition is on view from July 5, through September 12, 2013. With mastery in the art of Chinese brush painting, Sunar Sugiyou captures old Singapore landscapes and memories that engage the viewer to revisit one’s past, familiar places, our heritage, and concepts of what binds us as a family and nation.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of artworks will contribute to the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Needy Patients Fund.

About the Artist

Sunar Sugiyou (b. 1961, Singapore) is a pioneer graduate of the St Patrick’s Art Centre (now LASALLE College of the Arts). Sunar showed his first works at the Shell Discovery Art Exhibition (1986), and received high commendations at the Australian Art Awards (1987) and IBM Art Award (1988). Sunar has exhibited in Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Shanghai and Hong Kong. His early works were in oils, acrylics, collage and mixed media, but a brush with Chinese ink in 2000 had him falling in love with this delicate medium, and since then, he has not looked back.

Home features 30 recent paintings in Chinese ink, inspired by the artist’s memories of the past, visits and outings as a child, conversations with his parents, and a sense of appreciation for the forgotten heritage scenes of Singapore. Using rice paper, and adding that final touch with his signature red Chinese stamp, Sunar’s paintings have been mistaken to be that of a Chinese or Japanese artist. Yet his painting style is contemporary. As many modern painters have done, he often mixes several colors with black ink, resulting in natural and richly varied colours. The effect is a fresh approach to using this traditional medium, coupled with his unassuming brush strokes. 

“Chinese ink is my mistress.” – Sunar Sugiyou

Referring to it as his “mistress”, Chinese ink remains a favoured medium with which Sunar has been exploring for almost 14 years, and now bearing fruit as the exhibition takes us on a nostalgic journey. This series of heritage-related ink works is also timely as our visual history is slowly disappearing. An increasing demand by a discerning audience for old Singapore scenes has the potential to create a better understanding of our past, and a renewed appreciation for what is relevant and meaningful in today’s world.

A private Opening Reception, for invited guest only, on 4th July will be officiated by Chairman of the National Art Gallery, Singapore, Mr Koh Seow Chuan.

The exhibition opens for public viewing on 5 July through 12 September, 2013, with Meet the Artist sessions on the 5th and 6th July.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Media Preview: 2 July 2013, Tuesday, 3-4 pm
Collectors Preview: 2 July 2013, Tuesday, 6-8 pm (By invitation only)

OPENING RECEPTION: 4 July 2013, Thursday, 7-9 pm (By invitation only)

Meet the Artist: 5 July 2013, Friday, 5-7 pm; 6 July 2013, Saturday, 2-4 pm

Exhibition Venue:
East Garden Foyer, The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore
1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178

RSVP is required for Media Preview, Collectors Preview and Opening Reception.
Please contact Maya Gallery at (65) 6291 1760 or event@mayagallery.com.sg