BLOGGING | ART

Botero in Singapore

And a call for more local country experts

photo by author: striking vermillion in this oil painting simply titled – tiger

I visited this exhibit by chance some months ago and I recall how fortunate I felt to be able to experience world class art in my country itself. A mere 25 minute drive away.

Besides nature, I would say art revives my soul. Without nature or art, life would indeed be dull.

And of course art to me includes the beauty of the written word.

Singapore has been trying to build up the arts scene for years, so I have to give the government credit for that.

photo by author: to subvert and push the boundaries of art? Is that the problem mentioned? Do something unconventional?

I learnt that Botero wasn’t depicting fat people. It was about volume as an artistic device. How ignorant was I. In my head I used to think of him as the fat person artist. My kinda artist.

His art is instantly recognisable as is the case with the greats.

The exaggerated volume was used as either criticism or affectionate wit. I see beauty in it too. Notice how he keeps certain facial features like the ears, eyes, nose and mouth small.

Volume connotes youth for me. Ever notice how voluminous people always look younger than their years? Yes I felt like sharing any inane thought that pops into my head like I used to in my Wordpress and Blogspot blogging days.

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Colombian roots

I learnt that Fernando Botero grew up in the same place as drug lord Pablo Escobar – Medellin in Colombia.

I have never been to Colombia or South America, so all I know is about the drug situation and very often they are in the top ten of Miss Universe contests.

I have a hazy idea of the place. Very much like how someone in the US would have a hazy notion of the tiny island of Singapore.

How I wish I could meet someone from Colombia on Medium to give me greater insight into what life is truly like there.

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Tragedy

The artist died from complications of pneumonia at 91, having lived in Paris, New York, and a town in Tuscany, Italy. He died in Monaco.

There was also tragedy in his life when he lost his 4 year old son in a car accident as well as part of his right little finger. A truck lost control and crashed into their car in Spain. I discovered that his son Pedro was born in 1970 and he would be my age if he had survived. Truly warps my mind.

Heart of Volume

The exhibition in Singapore is titled Heart of Volume.

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The self portrait done in 1987.

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Here are some that captivated me the most. The section depicting the poor man’s circus. Circuses like these have never appealed to me but I realise, as sad as it is, it is survival for some.

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These ones show how absurd those in power can be. In full suits in the heat of the tropics. There is social commentary through his art. The disparity between the political elite and rich versus the poor in Colombia then.

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Painted drama

The rich vibrant colours used drew me in.

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I wish I could have lingered longer. But at least I have the photos to enlarge so that I can study the details at leisure. (My eyesight is poor and we can’t go too near the paintings for security reasons)

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There is something very appealing about the volume to me. I see beauty in it like a blown up balloon.

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I think this was one of my favourites as my niece would love the cat.

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Honestly it was hard to truly pick a fave as so many made me stop and stare.

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Botero Sculptures

There were sculptures including some free to view outside. The museum itself was ticketed. It was from 13 February to 1 June this year and I hope we get another world class exhibit soon.

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Our amazing writers – thank you to all 🙏🏽

I wanted to include stories by 3 writers who have contributed recently to TIMOC. They feature insider knowledge about Houston, Wales and Poland. I hope you’ll support their pieces.

I appreciated their photography and writing style. I do love the personal element in your stories. I love getting to know more about you as you relate your story.

Peggy Woods

[embed]Goode Co. Texas BAR-B-Q — Finger-Licking Good! M-M-M good barbecue at the Katy Freeway location!medium.com

Sabrina Kay

[embed]The Prettiest Country Croeso i Gymru / Welcome to Walesmedium.com

Katarzyna Rączka

[embed]What to Pack for the Train in Poland A non-exhaustive mini-guide, inspired by my recent trip.medium.com

I know too many links are frowned upon, so I hope to introduce more of our wonderful writers in future stories.

We have 1023 followers right now and 2.5k reads last month.

Join us at TIMOC

Please do join us if you enjoy looking at where you live with new eyes. Basically blogging.

I try to add freshness to my life too this way. Since I can’t travel right now, I try to bring the attitude of exploration to my regular life to hopefully make me appreciate it more.

Photography helps me make my ordinary life less ordinary somehow. Also I feel like I’m giving you all a taste of what it’s like to actually live in Singapore.

[embed]Publication Submission Guidelines – Tourist in My Own Country A place for imperfect wonderful humans medium.com

Also thanks to Anu maheshwari for alerting me to the brilliant piece by Do Capozucca

Do, you’ve illuminated it further for me so I had to link your story here. Thank you. I hope more go to your piece for a better understanding of the artist.

[embed]The Art of Being Blown Up Me tenés inflado, Boteromedium.com