Art - meant to inspire? Or a display of inspiration?
Inspiration - invalid if non-conforming?

Just a couple of days back, I was told by someone that real good art inspires the viewer. This critic, a man probably into his 60s and carrying with him an air of condescending seniority, seemed to insist and genuinely believe that the viewer, or if you may, art buyer, is king. I wouldn't blame him, on retrospect it feels like he was coming from the typical capitalist camp, refusing to accept what I had to say about my work, and would rather have his own interpretation of the piece be heard. I'm not sure if he did see that it was in fact a bash on what his (assumed) affluent, prosperous, successful life was built upon, but I'm sure he did it partly to spite the Artist.

What does it take for one to understand that representational art could exist as symbolist art?

I can take misinterpretations, it is all part of reaction and interaction. Having my work printed on canvas bags albeit for charity's salesake without my permission is bad enough but forgivable. Yet despite taking explicit care to point out that Decadent Progression is not a piece about a futuristic fantastical dystopia but an illustrated archetype of Man's present and unavoidable decadence, I still get shit printed on worksheets proclaiming otherwise.

What does it take to ignore that stigmatic label of student under which this work was created, and just judge me, not even as an artist, but as a person who has something to say with a painting?

The artist painted a vision of the future in ‘Decadent Progression’. Describe the landscape depicted. What role does mankind play in sustaining such an advanced society? Is this a positive outlook of the future?

I'll tell you what it describes. It describes me, you and everyone as slaves to a system which we are heralded to be successors of. It describes with sarcasm the nature of work which we undertake; the climbing of the social ladder; the constant progression we're pushing; our unidentifiable personalities; the gloom which we submerge ourselves in; the moulded lifestyles we lead; the motions which we repeat; it describes blindness, submission, death, life, breath and suffocation; and it more than anything else describes man's fall from grace. And mankind has a role in every part of it, there should be no illusion of machines being in control, or of a souless entity enslaving him, he is in full control and this reality is a result of decisions made by the collective history of humanity.

And no, it was never meant to be positive, the truth hurts so cut the politically correct sterilised and patched up version of pain you're feeding your children. Deal with it, it'd help them more if they got a punch in the face than to be living a lie bred under censorship and celebrated under rosy limelights.

Singaore Youth Festival Gold with Honours, and I ought to feel honoured?

This is the A Level coursework prep I never showed, so I finally got pics, they're not the best, but it'll suffice for now.

Trinity
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Going Up
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Man and Machine
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Power
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Mould
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The Way
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Formation
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Finality
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So maybe I lied when I said you won't hear of it again, but I got a pleasant surprise when I checked my email today:

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A part of me feels great for the achievement, yet another part also fears being not able to top it again. Similarly I also worry that it means nothing since it is a choice award and - so as not sound like a hypocrite - the popular vote really doesn't dictate the merits of a piece of art work (ie. aesthetics and engagement, but perhaps it does for skill). Just for the record, I believe that art is a mode visual communication - of ideas; feelings; emotion; inspiration - and thus the impact it has on individuals will depend on individual mindsets, as such art and design competitions serve no real purpose with respect to the artwork or message itself since it is impossible to grade or rank such qualities (unless said works are really outstanding) but rather provide recognition for the artist(s) for his or her raw skill and talent. In that light, I'd much rather make life-changing art than to have a cupboard full of trophies. Having said that, it's definitely an honour to get the CG Choice Award, especially since I'm not one who has achieved a lot in my life, perhaps this is something which would show me that I actually have something to live for.

Decadent Progression
Photoshop 7 & CS2
GCE "A" Level Art Coursework
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In his endless pursuit of progress, man has built around him a Machine. It is a construction of utmost magnificence, but though man is its operator, subsistence, and champion, he relishes in the success of his own creation and becomes a slave to it, bound in perpetuity to its artificial nature of necessity. This is not some fantasy vision of a future world, it is right here and now, all around us – the Machine is an archetype of the world that chases after money mindlessly. Just what is this economic betterment we all strive for? Bigger homes, brighter children, healthier lives – everything in the definition of a modern society is tied down to the concept of money, so much so that it is ingrained within us all that such a “reality” is the true purpose of life. From the point we are "mouldable", lives are planned, expected and demanded as mere assets and investments towards the greater advancement of humanity. We become blindly driven by those around us and even ourselves to succeed within the framework of this Machine, expending all strength, emotion and commitment to ensure its eventual continuation.

Framed and hung

For those that are sick of this, I assure you this is the last you'll see of it because it is finished and marked.