1993 APT1 Conference : Identity, tradition and change

6 in my overview report which has been published in the book "Tradition and Change", so I will not detain either you or myself in going into descriptions about who they are and where they are positioned at the moment, but these are being shown as symptoms of the mode of thinking and operation. Such conditions propelled these artists to re-examine all that had been hitherto assumed as given, including issues related to the nature and purpose of art, questions regarding the self, including sexuality in relation to social, political, cultural and environmental conditions and presences. Next two slides please.......Two slides by women artists on the left hand side, Dianne Checws(?) whole series of pictures titled "Framed Bodies" and on the right Ho Sunyen’s(?) examination of her own body over a period of 24 hours, continuously producing a series of 18 drawings throughout the day and the night. Now, I have mentioned Da Wu and although not wishing to dwell on him, his presence has to be acknowledged and I want to set his position in relation to the emergence of different alternative practices. More than anyone else Da Wu has galvanised a number of artists into discovering fresh ways of seeing and positioning themselves as artists and also new ways of making and presenting art. In 1987, next two slides please, he established the artists village. It was an oasis - physically and spiritually. Da Wu provided working space for artistic activity and development, a facility sorely needed in Singapore. The village was a beacon attracting many young artists, some of them took up residence there. For three years the artists village was a dynamic centre for learning, researching into, discussing and practising art and provided, in my opinion, a viable alternative to the Academies of Art in Singapore. The original site, well it had to close in three years time, that’s about 1990, as the original site was re-designated for development and rezoning purposes. Some of those who were amongst the original body continue their CASUALAARTGALL.TPl 24 May 1994