The Body in Art
The human body has been the focus of fine artists throughout history. In Singapore however nudity is an uncomfortable topic, for discussion as well as literally. Figure drawing classes have been a staple in art schools, and is one of the most important classes or focuses of study for all artists. But the accepting of that has been difficult, even for the city that has desired to become one of the world’s thriving artistic hubs. In a figure drawing class, the most important aspect is the model. And in Singapore society, that does not constitute proper behavior and is considered an immoral job choice, or sometimes the model is considered as having no other option that to resort to making their living by taking off their clothes. More often than not however, models are often in art school or artists themselves. Perhaps that it is the case that many cultures, not just that of Singapore, but many societies hold to the idea that nudity constitutes sexuality. Which could not be further from the case in an art class.
In order to learn to draw anything, most artist would agree that the human form must be studied. For once an artist can accomplish such a difficult undertaking as the anatomy and movement of the body, capturing anything else on paper or canvas is easy. One artist living and studying in Singapore, Alice Mendoza, has herself been a model. It is her belief that due to the years of strict government control, via censorship and regulations concerning proper behavior and guidelines constructing what is or is not ethical has perhaps made it hard for the people living there under all that pressure for so long. It isn’t just the physical classes that make many uncomfortable either. Paintings have been removed from gallery walls, deemed improper due to the fact that the subjects in the paintings are nude. Artists selling their work along the sidewalks or having showings in cafes or some of the boutique hotels in Singapore, have restrained from displaying their works of the nude for fear of punishment, even jail time. It is a sad state at the moment, but one that may change as more and more fine art festivals and shows open, and more galleries showing works of the body are accepted. In many cultures, the body is considered beautiful and exotic, however the perception of the human form has been, in Singapore is that it is obscene. Artists such as Cheong Soo Pieng may help to bridge the cultural gap, as he is considered to be a fine artist and well respected, and he paints mainly the nude female form. So times have indicated a want and a desire, to be more accepting and appreciative in the world of art for the people of Singapore.
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