Singapore Tyler Print Institute

Background

• Established in 2002
• Founder: Kenneth Tyler — an engineer and master printer, creating tools for artists
• Ambition: establishing an arts hub in the Southeast Asia region — “Singapore Renaissance City Plan”

 

What they do

• Pioneered utilising pulp as a separate medium for art
• Types of techniques: lithography, screen print, relief print, intaglio, paper making
• Emerging and well-known artists are invited to work with the people of STPI in-house

 

Exhibition: Fragments from a Collective Unity

Background on Aaron Curry

• Born in Texas in 1972 — he had little exposure to arts and as a result, Curry did not know high culture
• Eventually moved to Chicago and later on, Los Angeles
• Curry’s influences were mundane objects

Influences

• Artificial and bright colours — influenced by his interest in BMX (bike motocross)
• Musical instruments — influenced by his background as a musician, thus some pieces look similar to musical intruments
• Artistic style — influenced by his music tastes and their vinyl covers
• Biomorphic shapes — because at that period his wife was having liver and kidney transplant, many of Curry’s pieces resemble bones and body parts

 

About the exhibition

• Exploring 2D and 3D forms
• Each piece of artwork is unique and chosen from hundreds of pieces of the same kind
• Involves a long process, starting from digitised sketches that are laser cut into a stencil, to paper pulp coating, spray painted and screen printed

 

Reflection

One main takeaway from this field trip is how powerful influences from everyday, mundane objects can be – a life event happening or even an interest in a field of activity. It is something overlooked, yet we are somehow able to relate to the forms Aaron Curry created for his pieces. The gallery volunteer was also very enthusiastic and passionate about sharing these interesting information (and even brought some props to help her) so it was definitely one of my more enjoyable experiences in a gallery.