Singapore’s most celebrated ceramic artist, Dr. Iskandar Jalil (b. 1940, Singapore), uses local clay and the principles of Japanese aesthetics that embrace the ethical, simple and imperfect, in his art practice. He has potted distinctively varying vessels and forms in his lifelong artistic journey. Beyond his art making lies a set of values and ethos that he has steadfastly adhered to throughout his lifelong dialogue with ceramics. An art practitioner, teacher and mentor to many, he received two Colombo Plan Scholarships to study textiles and ceramics. He is the recipient of the Cultural Medallion in 1988 and Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun (Gold Rays with Rosette) in 2015. He was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in 2016.
Singapore’s renowned batik champion, Sarkasi Said (1940–2021, Singapore), who went by the artist name Tzee, was known for his bold and vibrant abstract style, and mastery of unconventional wax-resist techniques. His works have been exhibited internationally and can be found in many public and private collections. He set a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest batik painting in 2003. He was a recipient of Pingat APAD (APAD Award) in 1974, Best Foreign Entry (Sarasota Art Exhibition in the United States) in 1981 and the Cultural Medallion in 2020. He often donated to charitable organisations and volunteered to teach art at a drug rehabilitation centre.
For close to 60 years, Idris Mohamed Ali (b.1944, Singapore) has brilliantly captured Singapore’s landscapes in colourful watercolours. He has exhibited at numerous group exhibitions including three successful solo shows. His works can be found in the collections of the National Gallery Singapore, National Heritage Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various government agencies in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as private organisations and individuals. One of the earliest members of Angkatan Pelukis Aneka Daya or APAD (Association of Artists of Various Resources), he has taught many young students under its Tunas (Budding) programme, as well as mentored art teachers. A recipient of the inaugural Hadiah Warisan (Heritage Prize) in 2021, Pingat APAD (1974) and Cipta Mekar (1990) by APAD, he has also illustrated various award-winning publications.
Singapore’s award-winning celebrity chef, Aziza Ali (b. 1949, Singapore) is a self-taught artist who drew Elvis Presley, Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Ringo Starr, Paul Newman and P. Ramlee at the age of 12. Aziza continued this creativity in cooking and food presentation in her 24 years of fine dining. She established the first successful fine dining Malay restaurant, "Aziza’s", and has cooked for thousands of guests at the Hyatt, Shangri-La and The Fullerton. Painting seriously in 2007 in acrylic on canvas, she has participated in group exhibitions and had a few solo shows. Her oeuvre includes big women, kitchen scenes and tools; all her abstract paintings have philosophical meanings to them. Her works can be found in the homes of dignitaries and private collections in 12 countries, including Singapore, Dubai, Holland and Berlin.
Jeffrey Wandly (b. 1964, Singapore) portrays heritage landmarks and historical places, capturing their essence, energy and vitality. Painting in ink and acrylic on canvas,
in his own distinctive style of intuitive and fluid strokes, he is fondly called the "Building Whisperer". His works remind us of our disappearing visual heritage. Jeffrey has exhibited in Singapore and Southeast Asia; his works can be found in public and private collections. A project development professional, Jeffrey is a recipient of the Anugerah MENDAKI (MENDAKI Excellence Award) and Architecture Angullia Scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) from National University of Singapore (NUS) and holds a Master of Project Management from Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Masturah Sha’ari (b. 1969, Singapore) brings moments to life with soft gestures and colourful strokes in her abstract expressions. Using acrylic on canvas, her works have been exhibited in Singapore and Malaysia. She is the Vice-President of APAD (2022-24) and a member of the Women Artists Association. She helmed the position of Chairperson of the Singapore Women Artists Exhibition 2021, "Voices & Visions", organised by the Federation of Art Societies Singapore (FASS), held at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC). An accomplished designer, Masturah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Economics and Malay Studies, from National University of Singapore (NUS) and a Diploma in Design Communication from LASALLE College of the Arts. She holds an MA in Asian Art Histories from Goldsmiths University of London, with her thesis foregrounding the collective endeavours of Malay artists in post-war Singapore. She strongly supports multiculturalism as well as the bridging of traditional and contemporary art practices.
