ZERO

Your work has such distinct underlying meanings. What message are you hoping to convey through this upcoming exhibition?
Graffiti art. When I started skateboarding in 1995 it was all on the streets, maybe just one skatepark at Bishan. Now there are skateparks everywhere. You rarely see kids street skating. Like graffiti in Singapore, our playground back then were the streets, but now that we have legal walls and legal skateparks, it kind of takes away a part of the independent spirit of these subcultures. We kind of lost our creativity to look at urban spaces as living and breathing entities that can be re-purposed. The sculpture represents the “thrasher” reckless attitude; it tries to look for the lost youthful spirit while detesting to its current situation.

You’re a recipient of the National Arts Council Young Artists Award. How has that accolade helped your career?
There is also a slight amount of pressure attached to it. I am the first urban artist to be awarded with this. The impetus is on me to lead the charge to make spaces and opportunities for the graffiti and street art community.

What’s the most unconventional piece of art you have created?
My art goes through an organic creation process. Most times, I can’t even recreate my own works.

Cannot Be Bo(a)rdered will be open for viewing at the Aliwal Arts Centre from January 14^th to February 14^th 2016. Visit the official page for more details.