#graphicallyspeaking_ is a photography & illustration collaborative project between OSG & 12 Singapore based visual artists between 2014-2015, and 15 Vancouver based artists between of 2017-2018... this is a travelling personal visual project. The project aim is to showcase both the artistic style of each individual and their portraits in one image. Each artist is limited to using a monochromatic colour, and by using their own portraits as a canvas, we will get an insight into the personalities behind the artwork.

 

I have come to know all of the artists involved in the project through meet ups and social media, . I have approached a number of artists whose work I admired, most of them warmed to the idea of getting their portraits taken while some were not so comfortable with the idea and was hesitant to participate. The selection was carefully curated through the artist introductions and discovered through online portfolios.  After a quick photo shoot, each artist was then presented with an A0 print portrait which best represented their personality, from there they were asked to illustrate in the space surrounding them using their signature styles, culminating in a mixed media representation of the artists and their own individual creative styles.

 

As a photographer, documentary photography has always been fascinating to me. For this project, the opportunity to share the ordinarily reclusive sides of artists and their creative styles really drew me to pursue the project. With a background of illustration myself, the mix of creative expressions felt like a natural combination. I thoroughly enjoy the process of interacting with other creatives, appreciating and supporting one another’s work.

 

This project aims to experiment with and expand on the traditional ideas of portraiture. To bridge the gaps between different creative fields through collaboration, and to encourage social interactions between creatives. It’s challenging to push the boundaries of portraiture, intimacy and honesty are elements that I always strive for. By engaging artists to interactively collaborate through an analogue medium on their own portraits, I hope to expand the relationship between the viewer and the subject by giving insight into their creative psyche. Planned to be an ongoing global project with different artists and in different cities.