FRANKIE

My first encounter with Frankie’s works left me intrigued by the number of politicians, personalities and philanthropists depicted.

Why would a man who spent a total of more than 20 years in jail be inspired to draw individuals who constructed society’s status quo? If Frankie’s jail term was necessitated by the line of the law- affirmed by society’s status quo who toed the line- then does it not make sense that Frankie was bitter and rebellious against the successful in society? We all assume that a prisoner’s behavior is one of deviance and defiance, don’t we?

But Frankie speaks of yi qi (integrity and fidelity to self) and he knows that he always will be loyal to those who are friends. Lamenting the loss of yi qi and the apparently impersonal and mechanical tone which many relationships today take, Frankie says he sometimes find it hard to respect and be inspired by today’s younger generation.

Hence the subject of his drawings.

The message in Frankie’s paintings is a cry for the younger generation to look up to the successful in society; to consider and learn about their successes and how they did it. In the artist’s own words, he chose the people he drew because they were “the victors in society”. Frankie respects and admires these individuals because they have negotiated the ups and downs of life and have emerged successful. More than just their stories, Frankie feels that it is important that we discern and see the value of the attitudes they have adopted and to internalize its essences.

Brought up as a shoe-shine boy who was taught to pickpocket in order to earn his daily meal, stealing was the only route to survival Frankie knew as a boy. He accepts that the jail-terms he got as deserved consequences of the deeds he performed but saw little alternative to earning a living. As such, Frankie neither apologies nor regrets the things he has done, but hopes that the generation today will grow to be successful people with soul.

Having been diagnosed with cancer as he turns 58 this year, Frankie has returned to art and wants to perfect his skill. This collection of 153 drawings were done over the course of the last 5 years spent in jail and were based on photographs found in the daily papers. These pictures were Frankie’s windows to the world, and the outlets through which he gazed upon these individuals on their pedestals.

In order to complete these drawings, Frankie painstakingly hand-ground charcoal and pencil lead with the stick of a paintbrush before using cloth to spread the mix over paper. Charcoal was used as the pigment remained blacker for longer on paper while several shades of pencil lead were used in order to get the shades which he required for his drawings. Frankie’s determination to get the tones right is evidenced by the fact that he had to remove the wood around the pencil lead by hand before beginning work.

For every single piece drawn, Frankie insisted on sketching upon a grid which was also drawn on the photograph from which he copied so that proportions would be exact and so that the completed product would be as life-like as possible. Compromise for detail is never an option for this man for whom fidelity reigns.

Immortalizing personalities through his drawings, Frankie hopes to find his way out of the intricacies of life through the threads borrowed from the subjects he depicts and their stories.

Why you buy art and love it.

Golden Rosy by Helen Lim, Acrylic on canvas 120x80cm

You spend money for two reasons, either to solve problems or to make yourself feel good. The same reason why you spend money on luxurious cars, expensive homes and beautiful clothes, you buy art just because art feels good. If you ever feel that a home is empty, it lacks character, art, maybe the solution to it.By simply hanging a artwork on the wall, a plain, dull looking room can be lighten up, bringing in a different kind of positive ambience and emotion. It is like adorning ourselves with clothes or accessories, as simple as that.

Most of the time you buy artwork because you like it. You may feel connected to the art or like the feeling when they look at it. The art may even speak to them in a personal way. You may also have respect and admiration for the artist and the labor that went into creating it. Sometimes, you may know and like the artist personally. Go forth and visit the gallery during their opening receptions and meet the artists or like-minded art collectors.

Art is something which brings us positive feelings such as pleasure, happiness, joy, satisfaction, prestige, etc. When acquiring art, these feelings contributed a lot to the types of artworks selected, for no one, will buy a piece of art which they do not admire nor find it pleasing to both the eyes and heart. My personal preferences have always been the style that is heavily influence by the impressionistic period. Can you imagine an added “romantic” painting of a pond near your dining table? I am sure more of us will eat at the dining table then in front of our faithful television set, would you?

Have you always visualize your room or office space or the environment. If the ambience created is not to their liking, or it does not make their day, a decision to purchase art should be made. A piece of art can be surprisingly useful in giving the interior a whole new feeling. It is a simpler method of “renovating” the rooms and it also requires less manpower.

Be daring and live differently, show your character in your home by taking a step and acquire a one of kind artworks.

Submitted by: Annabel lee 30th April 2007

ART OF FENGSHUI

tastefully assimilated into our life.

The Peony II by Huat Ng. 120x90cm acrylic on canvas

What is the best way to add a little better fortune into our life then to use a painting to inspire us to feel love. The concept behind this painting is to bring all positive things to the owner. Water and peony are always regarded to be a sign of wealth in Chinese beliefs. A waterfall especially, symbolizes the continuous flow of wealth and luck. It also has the ability to bring everything in the painting, a hint of life.

Visual stimulation can translate into our sub-conscious and may change our beliefs. In China the peony is known as the queen of flowers or the flower of riches and honor and symbolizes wealth and distinction. A peony in full blossom is also a symbol of good fortune. Hence peony paintings are often hung at homes or offices for good luck and prosperity.

How else to do it more tastefully then to acquire art from Artist Huat Ng who based his latest collections of art in fengshui concepts.

As the peony is often associated as a female in Chinese beliefs, it is also understood to have a positive influence for men and women to live harmoniously together. It is good to hang one of such paintings in your marriage sector, to create good feng shui in finding a faithful and loving partner in life.

By matching both the peonies and the waterfall together, the waterfall, also known as the fountain of wealth and life, brings growth to the peonies which sprung continuously to life under the shower of the everlasting water, thus providing everlasting love, business and good fortune to the people around it.

Written by: Angelus Ong 24th May 2007

ART IS FOR EVERYONE

Artworks by Agatha Hutton, Oil on Canvas

Many people think art are for the wealthy. It is not correct to think that way. Yes, when people reach a certain financial status, they think they should start buying some original artworks. But art, being a kind of thing more for emotional richness than physically suits people of all kinds, no matter what their financial level is. Art is not gauged by their price but by the designs and the strong emotional feelings they give people which are the most expensive factors.

Art can make people feel good and it can also enrich a person’s life by adding spiritual nourishment and inspiration. The value of an image can be far greater than the money spent. Wanting the pleasure to own something they love, people buy art by well-known or emerging artists to beautify their homes or add prestige to their office. People buy art to enjoy it, to be inspired, and to feel good.

Art can also be a reminder of life’s values. Art reminds people of the things in life which are more important than money. For example, family, children, etc. Art enrich people’s lives like nothing else. Art can delight the heart and mind. Art can remind people daily of their true value.

Quoted source - Contributed by reader. 10th July 2007.

Mangrove by Agatha Hutton, Oil On Canvas.

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