Iskandar Jalil: Kembara Tanah Liat (Clay Travels)

An impromptu visit to Singapore Art Museum the other day since I was poke hunting nearby to check out what was currently on exhibit.

It definitely was refreshing and enlightening to find out that ‘From Night to Light’ actually highlights the rehabilitative journey the inmates had embarked through the involvement in art. They are guided by artist mentors who assisted them in the exploration of different mediums as well as themes revolving around ‘home’, ‘hope’ and ‘transformation’.

Some concepts I definitely find rather creative and inspiring as well. (Note that all works are really great but I only select a couple to blog about.)

Using the chess set as well as the 4 chess pieces as a metaphor, ‘Making The Right Move’ illustrates the artist’s reflection on his life as one wrong move in the game of chess could cause one to lose the entire game.

‘Passages Beyond’ made use of windows as a metaphor as well, representing the countless opportunities that would await him upon his release from incarceration.

Apart from using metaphors, most (if not all) the works here uses vibrant colours to depict ‘leaving the past behind’, ‘bright future ahead’ as well as the ‘journey towards the light’. It was really amazing to indirectly experience the emotions of these inmates that were being portrayed through their artworks.

Beside paintings, there were also many beautifully made ceramics as well. It was difficult to read those descriptions due to their placement but for all I know, they too contained those similar emotions welled up within each of them.

Anyway, end of post till I could dig out some time to visit other themed exhibits that would interest and inspire me!