Kamalakannan Srimalan (below, left) and Eugenia Tan (below, right) are familiar faces in the local art scene. Often clad in eclectic outfits, cocktail or wine glass in hand, the friendly pair are a mainstay at Marjorie Chu’s landmark art gallery in Singapore, Art Forum. If you’ve visited the gallery recently, chances are you’ll have met the unassuming couple who are always at the ready to make introductions and share their thoughts about the art on display, as well as their favourite drinks of the afternoon.
The couple started their art journey from the sidelines as art collectors but have since moved to the heart of artistic creation. The collectors-turned-artists will be showing their own works for the very first time in Art Forum from 7 to 29 September, and we caught up with them to find out more about their intriguing journey.
The first spark of inspiration
The pivotal moment in Kamal and Eugenia’s artistic odyssey came through an unexpected encounter with 84 year old Marjorie Chu, herself a luminary in Singapore’s art world. Marjorie, known for her discerning eye and nurturing spirit, saw potential in the couple that they had not yet recognised in themselves. They bought their first art work from Art Forum in April 2021, a watercolour by Thai artist Den Warnjing, and then started painting at Marjorie’s behest a few months later.
“Marjorie once told us that to truly understand art, we must create it ourselves,” the couple recalls.
Under Marjorie’s guidance, they sought mentorship from seasoned artists like Wee Shoo Leong and Ian de Souza, whose influence was crucial in their development. Moving on from painting and drawing, they’re also now exploring performance art and how to incorporate it into their practice.
They explain: “While collectors may focus on ownership, we desire to immerse ourselves in the experience and essence of good art. Becoming artists was a natural evolution — a step further in our journey to live, breathe, consume, and be consumed by art.”
Balancing dual lives
For Kamal, a doctor at Changi General Hospital, and Eugenia, partner and managing director of local advertising agency Goodstuph, the journey into art was not merely a recreational shift away from their busy professional lives, but a journey of personal evolution. Their artistic pursuits started to become intricately woven into their lives.
“The journey of art, much like life itself, is ever-evolving. This realisation has taught us to embrace the fluidity of our path, understanding that there is no fixed destination. Each piece we create becomes a time capsule, a snapshot of a particular phase in our journey. As we move forward, each new phase and each new show will reveal a different version of ourselves — a reflection of the continuous transformation that we undergo. Time is at a premium, and fortunately, not having children helps!” they quip.
The dance of creation
Navigating the highs and lows of artistic creation has become a hallmark of Kamal and Eugenia’s journey. They speak candidly about the emotional rollercoaster of art, telling us that their best and worst moments in art are deeply tied to the stories that they tell themselves. These obsessive narratives shape their work, leading to sleepless nights and sudden unexpected breakthroughs. Eugenia, for example, recalls waking up one night to Kamal slicing with a palette knife to figure out a particular painting stroke.
Regardless of these creative compulsions, the couple still reflect on whether they can truly call themselves artists.
“We feel the need to share our work, to expose it to critique, and to spark conversations that might deepen our understanding and that of others,” they explain.
Among their most cherished artistic endeavors are the live drawing salon weekends that they organise at Art Forum. Titled live@Art Forum, these sessions have become something of a fixture in the local contemporary art scene. Inspired by artists like Andy Yang and Ian de Souza, they are a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, with a reputation for being welcoming and open to all.
“The live@Art Forum sessions carry a rich legacy, once graced by Southeast Asian Masters such as Srihadi, Goh Beng Kwan, Natee Utarit, and Chua Ek Kay. As we take the reins of this new iteration, our goal is to share the joy of these sessions with a wider audience — whether they find the experience meditative, are drawn by the wine, or simply seek to explore the world of live drawing. We welcome everyone with open arms,” the couple enthuse.
Eugenia offers a particularly poetic take on the process of live drawing,
“In live drawing,” she says, “there is a dance with each line and curve of the model. Initially, you become fixated on accuracy, but eventually, you let it go as it becomes a crutch. Instead, you begin to draw not just the form, but the soul of the model. For me, each stroke represents the abandonment of technical constraints, allowing pure expression to take over.”
A word of advice
For those venturing into art or collecting, Kamal and Eugenia offer both practical recommendations and heartfelt encouragement. “Just dive in and don’t be shy,” they advise, “make art, embrace the pain of creation, and stave off dementia — consider it the ultimate anti-aging regimen!”
Their insights for aspiring collectors are equally valuable. “Buy what resonates with you personally,” they suggest.
“Don’t let [your artworks] languish in storage — live with them, consume them, and listen to what they say to you. As a collector, you play a crucial role in the artistic ecosystem. By buying art, you keep the creative spirit alive and moving forward.”
Reflections on Singapore’s art scene
The couple also offer a thoughtful critique of Singapore’s art landscape. While they appreciate the city’s sophisticated grasp of abstraction, they believe there is room for more critical exploration of complex themes like the country’s national identity, economic concerns, and colonial history.
“By probing these complex topics, we can open our minds and foster a deeper understanding of who we are,” they explain.
“Art has the unique power to create conversations and serve as a visual metaphor for intricate matters that words alone cannot fully capture. This is particularly important in a culture like ours, where questioning and expressing emotions are often discouraged, leaving us starved of emotional and social literacy. By encouraging these dialogues through art, we can enrich our cultural landscape and promote critical thinking and meaningful dialogue within our community.”
A first glimpse into Raw Dawn
Kamal and Eugenia’s upcoming exhibition Raw Dawn promises to be a deeply personal showcase of their artistic evolution. Spanning early creations to recent breakthroughs, the exhibition offers a window into their creative journey. Kamal’s pieces reflect a journey from resisting rules to mastering artistic principles, while Eugenia’s works capture a shift from technical precision to creative liberation. Raw Dawn is about the baring of the couples’ soul through their art.
“It’s a moment of vulnerability and honesty in our ongoing evolution,” they share.
As Kamal and Eugenia continue upon their artistic journey, their story stands as a testament to the transformative power of art. Their path, marked by passion, curiosity, perseverance, and a relentless quest to push creative boundaries, serves as an inspiration to all who encounter it.
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Raw Dawn opens this weekend at Art Forum and runs from 7 – 29 Sept 2024 (10 am – 6 pm).
All images courtesy of Eugenia Tan and Kamalakannan Srimalan.
