TOYSREVIL @ Paradise Shores by Tell Your Children at GLITCH SG (May 8-24)
Have you taken a trip down Paradise Shores recently? "Miami Beach" has been transplated to the sunny island of Singapore, via the seriously ridiculous efforts of new illustration collective Tell Your Children, and you are welcomed for a visit!
Launched May 8, the show exhibits through May 24th (Weekdays 12pm-6pm).
Featured here today are snaps I had taken (both on my iPhone G3 and Samsung digicam) and as well words from the four principals of TELL YOU CHILDREN (tycstudios.tumblr.com / Facebook / IG @tellyourchildren) - Lydia Yang, Russell One, Kevin Too and Deon Phua - their answers to my question; "What Is Paradise?"
Artwork and merchandize was to be found upon entering GLITCH SG @ 188-8 Tanjong Katong Road - from limited production tees to original canvas paintings and line-work framed on the wall - these are not "prints", mind you, but are one-off original artwork, and not to be reproduced as Prints at all.
Beyond the sun soaked beaches and inviting waters, between the tantalizing tiki totems and below the charming trees and scrubbery, lies a story beyond the sheer aesthetics, a story the bristles below the facade of calmness and fun, a depth of history awaits anyone eager to find out more beyond the beach balls and suntans. If you dare ask, that is.
A world with vehicular zombies, bump-n-grind burgers, of runaway hotdogs, and emerging beasts of fictional fantasy, whose tentacles wrap at you everywhere you may hide, in a world that exhorts you to S.M.I.L.E.
Do you like the world you live in now? If you do, do not ask, and enjoy the sun breeze in your face… But don't be deceived, it is not a world of doom and gloom … unless of course, you want it to be?
WHAT IS "PARADISE" TO YOU? "No one knows what the true meaning of paradise is. We all have our own definitions of it and what we feel it is, but to me the idea of paradise is something not of this world. What we have is just a state of mind."
~ RUSSELL ONG (cargocollective.com/russellong / IG @lonerslugs)
I had missed the launch night of Paradise Shores on May 8th, which promised an immersive experience, with emotive lighting effects and munchable chips a plenty, which I nevertheless descended upon the locale on a sunny Monday afternoon, as if to "catch" the fictional fabrication by the quartet of artists and illustrators who've come together as Tell You Children (yes, the group whose work had previously been appropriated by artist veterans Gilbert & George) on a "off-party-day", after the beer has sizzled and balloons have popped … and I found myself facing the "truth" behind the art painted on the walls, and being enriched by the discovery, thanks to Deon and Kevin, who took the time and trouble, and as importantly their patience, for sharing with me their "Paradise". (And thank you for the print-in-a-bottle too).
WHAT IS "PARADISE" TO YOU? "Paradise is but a paradox; an illusion derived from the depths of the human mind, similar to desires and motivations."
~ KEVIN TOO (www.arcadiainmayhem.com / IG @arcadiainmayhem)
Kevin adds: "The name of our show, Paradise Shores, evolved from the idea of having something alluring to bring in audience to our show. It is an understatement to say that we (as a species) are constantly in search for 'a certain something' (happiness, perfection , bliss for example), and the juxtaposition between the imagery of the island in disarray and the name (as well as marketing collaterals) raises more questions than answers, of a larger universe we're trying to bring into the light."
The sand has since been cleared from the main exhibition space, the high life-guard chairs remain empty, while beach balls still brighten up the concrete floor. A lone cut-out of CARB BOY's fries-n-taco-head greets folks in the middle of the space - "WELCOME!" it seems to smiley-say.
One cannot take your eyes off the wall though, and the art on them, a visual tapestry of happenings hand-painted by the TYC quartet, taking up a week to execute, and two weeks prior to conceptualize the story unfolding in images, and yes, they do tell a story beyond "purdy pictures".
Featuring a wide ranging inspired-depictions of scenarios and characters from each of the artists' personal influences, it would be a real treat if folks took the time to really stop and look beyond the colors and shapes before them.
WHAT IS "PARADISE" TO YOU? "Paradise is about being contented with life's journey, but always striving to be a better person in all aspects of your life."
~ DEON PHUA (www.deonasaurus.com / IG @deonasaurus)
That to me is the "trick" of "Paradise Shores", a fictional fantasy realm of subconsciousness held adrift in a bottle of dreams and hopes .. a message of captured serenity? Or a "cry for help"? And then you notice there are no "humans" depicted in the artwork …
Tell Your Children will share with you more, in time to come, if you decide to "listen", and listen you should.
Beyond the show, TYC Studios will be operating from the offices in the premises, so really, "Paradise" is not so far away after all …
WHAT IS "PARADISE" TO YOU? "Paradise is where I'll be in five years."
~ LYDIA YANG (cargocollective.com/lydiayang / IG @oakandbindi)
*Email direct "tycstudios [at] gmail.com" for availability of artwork.
**Check out more images since uploaded HERE on FB.
