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Celebrating academicism in NCAS
Founded in 2002, the Nanyang Contemporary Artist Society (NCAS) is the gathering of an independent group of Singaporean artists with the common passion of artistic exploration through academic exchanges of styles and concepts. Like most collectives of artists, the NCAS looks to promote artistic activities and nurture artistic talents in Singapore by appreciating works of various artistic styles and organising exhibition and workshops that synchronise with global art trends. In addition, however, what distinguishes the NCAS from its contemporaries is found in the tacit agreement among its members: to recognise and celebrate aesthetic academicism amongst the prevailing international frenzy of symbolic creativity and contemporary art. It is gathered from the members that each one of them bears the words of Mr. Ren Jianhui, the current chairperson of the NCAS, in mind all the time, “what stands in art history is only innovation alongside academicism”. With these words of wisdom as its guiding light, the NCAS steers itself into the local and international art scene towards a clear direction of finding a truly solid and avant-garde way of expression.
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| About the Chairperson |
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| Mr. Ren Jianhui assumed the position of the Society’s chairperson in 2005, during which the NCAS experienced a period of invigorating expansion and re-organisation into its present form. Ren is a contemporary Chinese artist who is celebrated globally after forty years of practising Chinese ink and Western oil painting. A favourite among the students of the modern Chinese virtuoso, Prof. Wu Guanzhong, Ren has established his unique personal style of international painting with a bang in his recent themes of Tibetan lamas, material brands and the colour of green. The impeccable fusion between elements of Western and Chinese art could be lucidly seen first in his works of Tibet, where the majestic feel of chanting lamas is expressed in Chinese brushstrokes of the oil paint. Academicism brims the pictorial space in his later series of “Brand Slaves”, where a contrast of elaborateness and ellipsis reflects his level of artistic ingenuity. In the latest “Green Wind” portraits, Ren veils a facade of mysteriousness over the faces of his sitters with the colour of green, suggesting a myriad of logical explanations for disfiguring their facial features, while each pair of eyes are left glowing with permanence. Bringing his artistic philosophy of “innovation alongside academicism” to the NAS, Mr. Ren has taken up the leadership of the Society with one string attached: the prevalent issue of raising the standard and the profile of art-making and art appreciation in Singapore and the region beyond. |
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Pillars of NCAS
Mr. Tazran Tanmizi, a versatile artist as well as an avid art collector, is one of the honorary presidents of the Society. Having received his training as an industrial designer from College of Design, Pasadena Art Center in Los Angeles, California, USA, Tanmizi frequently expresses himself in various mediums of oil, acrylic, water-colour and air-brush, etc, conveying a fresh message in every work of his.
Mr. Victor Yeow assumes the position of the Society’s honorary consultant after having retired from 43 years of advertising business. Drawing, photography and antique collecting are a few of Yeow’s hobbies, among which photography is notably his favourite language of analysis and expression.
Among the greener members of the NCAS, Mr. Jack Ren, a member of the University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore, holds the position of the curatorial adviser of the Society. Having written a number of published critiques, translated the book, “On the Journey to Beauty – A Guide to Tan Swie Hian Museum”, organised and curated “Contemporarily Green – Ren Jianhui Solo Exhibition” in 2008, he is one of the emerging impresarios and young art critics whose future works Singapore can anticipate for.
With the group of forward-looking artists as its pillars, the Nanyang Contemporary Artist Society is poised to contribute positively to the local, regional and eventually international art scenes. Many predict that it will not be long before the NCAS becomes one of the leading art societies in Singapore.
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NCAS Objectives
- To promote art activities and its development and nurture budding talents and art enthusiasts.
- To organize training courses, art exhibitions, interactive workshops and art competitions which synchronize with global art trends.
- To promote the appreciation of Chinese brush painting, oil painting, watercolor painting and ceramics arts and craft among aspiring art fellows.
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