Andre Tan, HONEY MONEY (ed.2/3), 2020, mixed media on canvas, 121.9cm x 91.4cm
For his new series P.O.P (Portraits of Pattern), Singaporean artist Andre Tan has taken inspiration from the works of pioneer pop artist Roy Lichtenstein to his own canvas. Lichtenstein was well-known for his outsized renditions of comic-book panels, in the process magnifying aspects of their graphic composition such as the flat application of strong contrasting colours, a heavy black outline contouring simplified shapes and the use of Ben-Day dots or parallel lines to create shading and secondary colours.
In a breakthrough series of paintings, Andre experiments with different methods of creating images using patterns as the focus of his studies for the series. Reinterpreting the very meaning of portraits, the artist incorporates a variety of simple and complex found patterns into silhouettes of iconic cartoon characters borrowed from popular culture.
The placement of the collaged patterns is meticulously arranged in juxtaposed irregular segments to balance the flow of “rhythm” within the image itself. The sense of contrast and harmony is explored through the application of bold lines and arresting colours. The subject is transformed into something familiar yet mesmerizingly abstract. One might ask if the artist had intended a patterned portrait, or a portrait of patterns.
Venue: Utterly Art Exhibition Space
20B Mosque Street (Level 3)
Singapore 059500
Hours: By appointments
Tel: 94872006 or 62262605 (Keng Hock)
When: 22 Oct - 2 Nov 2020,
By: Utterly Art
