You mentioned in the previous video The Legal Rebel that some people said you were selling out by doing commissioned pieces, what does selling out personally mean to you?
I believe it’s subjective to everyone, for me personally it’s not compromising on my own belief system and taking on opportunities that I align with. That being said, I acknowledge that it is a form of privilege to be able to do that.
Is there a way to not sell out and sustain one self in Singapore?
You can choose to turn down jobs, or take a second or third job to sustain yourself so you won’t have to compromise on your art-making.
How do you decide when to rest when working for yourself?
Being in this line all these years, you will start to recognise the signs of burnout- from lethargy, lack of motivation and lack of self-care. When these signs start rearing their ugly heads I take some time out for myself to do what I enjoy doing, and revisit the works again when I am fresher.
What do you wish people could understand about art as a commodity?
That when you buy an artwork, it should first and foremost be because you love it and relate to it. Your personal perception of the value of the artwork should come first, without the price tag.
When is a piece of art valuable to you?
When I love it- be it for what it stands for to how it looks. It’s really as simple as that.
How do you reconcile the worth society ascribes to your art with the value you define them by?
Value to me comes through the process of creation, and in a society that sees the end result over the process I find it difficult to feel conflicted by their perception of how much the work should be priced (that is unless I am spending way too much time and money on the project)...am I making sense?
What do you think is the key for being continuously inspired in a capitalistic society?
To carve out time for yourself and do the things you enjoy, being kind to yourself and self care is so important.
I want to paint murals on HDB blocks in Singapore, that’s a dream project.
You’ve mentioned that your way of critiquing Singapore through your artwork is like a love letter to the country, what inspires you the most here?
The people inspire me the most. I enjoy watching the shifts in mindsets, how we react to things and more, there’s a lot to learn about and from.
What is your advice to young creatives wanting to make a career out of making art in Singapore?
Put your whole heart in it, and if your heart gets broken (many times) along the way learn from it and be better.
This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.