Notes of Blondie Asian: Young and talented Almanic artists present Dusbunnies to declare their vision in ambitious Singapore

Triumph of the city by Debra Raymond,
Almanic, Dustbunnies

Singapore is not only central hub for Asian arts and one of worldwide art centers along with New York, Paris, Milan, but also great place for young artists to learn arts, try their luck and be promoted and recognized. A group of fresh graduates from Lasalle College of Arts, who met at the asylum art therapy class and formed Almanic, a collective of 'psychiatric patients', organised and presented to public their first exhibition 'Dustbunnies'.

The venue was gently provided by the Societe Generale Gallery at Alliance Francaise de Singapour. Opening took part at the eve of 3rd January, when guests could see works and talk to artists - Debra Raymond, Fyerool Darma, Duong Nguyen, Denise Jillian Tan, Khairulddin Fulgvres.

Term 'Dustbunnies' is used as an analogy to represent the human condition, when every human is born empty vessel and fulfilled with surrounded environment. Society, culture, conditions - all that influence us and form our vision. 'As an inescapable aspect of human existence, we are all subjected to the same inherent flaws of human life'. Every artist chose and reflect different human condition - fear or routine, morality or escapism.

Debra Raymond is specializing in painting and illustrating daily routine of modern society by showing people's expressions, faces, poses at such places as public transport or just pulling out one face from crowd. But details, that are hidden, not obvious and not caught by eyes at first, will show you hidden society issues after you look at works a while. Angry woman shouting by mobile - seems like you saw her just today on the way to office in MRT coach. Crying little girl with opened mouth and toy in her hands - you almost hear her next to you. Guy in glasses reading book, but squeezed by the people in transport - you can see the title and want to step back to give him some space. Couple sharing headphones and watching movie on pad - you feel disturbing their privacy. Woman, that is holding valet in her hands and keep it close to her - you understand, that she is still counting her money considering next purchase. You can explore Debra's works hours and still find out new meaningful details and link it to social issues, feeling, it's also about your life.

by Denise Jillian Tan,
Almanic, Dustbunnies

Khairulddun's works are mainly influenced by two years of combat medic practice during military service, that led artist's interest to death studies, philosophy, politics and ethics of medicine. Not for the faint of heart - his works are true life... Parts of human body under scalpel with muscles and skin, guts, bowels and blood - all this shows not only reality of human body, but also giving idea about life through the fragility of the flesh.

Denise's paintings are influenced by Grimm's tales and interpret children stories in manner showing fear and driving the force. Dark background and figures of little girls in white dress, with blue ghost look, that almost shines from inside, and seems can bright whole room out of the painting frame... and mystical objects in her hands - toy or wolf body, she is praying or deep in her thoughts. All this makes viewer to think about his own fears back to childhood, when you feel scared to stay in dark room or to fall asleep alone after reading fairy tale in the bed. Being adult, you understand, how insignificant that fears are, but how difficult is to overcome it being young and think out of the box. Unwittingly, starting to think about your current life and if you are stacked at the same position of small child...

Except great support from Societe Generale Gallery at Alliance Francaise de Singapour and numerous friends of the artists, event was warmly catered with Brownies & Mushroom Quiches from Mom's Mixing Bowl, sushi and tomato soup from Talent Cafe. Guest could enjoy talks to artists over glass of wine.

All works are up for purchase featured at the venue until 14th of January, and artists will organize talk to the public about their concept and art vision. So stay updated and don't miss chance to met young and talented ones.

To stay updated about Dustbunnies and Almanic art group, please visit their blog

How young designers can promote them self in Singapore... Post about MAAD Pyjamas one Friday night

To read about another option for young artists to promote them self - read post about Make Space Initiative cafe exhibitions Finding Humor @ Merely Ice Cream, Bencoolen St, #01-13 Sunshine Plaza - 07-19th January 2013.