Of Presence and Distances

Recently got to know two young artists, Benny Teo and Zhang Fuming, who asked me to write up an essay about their works for their upcoming exhibition.

Although I am an avid reader of art writing, it's my first time writing about it formally. Grateful to them both for the opportunity and freely sharing what they did with me. I had a lot of fun learning about their creative processes and concepts, and of course, observing them and their art. 

Check out their upcoming show here



Random good links - Jul 14

No time to go into details, but here are some interesting links. Thanks to friends who shared.

  • http://mattgemmell.com/working-from-home/?utm_source=pocket&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pockethits
  • Anti-establishment irony? 
    • http://zenpencils.com/comic/155-banksy-taking-the-piss-explicit/ vs
    • http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryntully/2013/10/14/would-you-buy-a-banksy-from-a-new-york-stall-for-60-not-many-did/
  • http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_depression_the_secret_we_share
  • Where have all the flowers gone: http://youtu.be/T1tqtvxG8O4
  • Secret life of bipolar I & 2:
    • http://youtu.be/rGDl6-lyfMY 
    • http://youtu.be/uj8hqXd7N_A
  • BBC about lithium: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26993915

Pick one. Pick two.

Btw, my surgery went ok.

Working late...

It's 1.30 am and it's the Nth night in the past weeks that i'm up working so late. I haven't been waking up late either, for I've been waking up to a brain buzzing with a list of chores and errands.

i'm tired and I've been neglecting my writing because it's too difficult to write creative or complicated stuff when the brain is being wrung like a wet rag.

So what have I been up to?

Admin stuff. Administrative things, like planning projects, budgets, proposal, timelines, etc etc. For a while, it bothered me like how it used to bother me when I was working in a corporate office. ZZZzzz.

But friends helped me realise that this is all part and parcel of my work as a writer/artist. It's the "un-glamorous" part of every art project, but also one of the most essential parts.

And look, my friend A said, Isn't it nicer, better, infinitely more meaningful to be doing the administrative things for projects that I believe in?

Well, yes, indeed, i suppose it is nice, better, and infinitely more meaningful.

Admin really shouldn't bother me like how it used to bother me when I was administrating senior management's political spew and hidden agendas. 

And besides, I'm actually quite good at admin, which is why i could rise up far enough into the corporate offices to see the vomit and recognise the smell. It was just the purpose and the smell and the sounds people make when they puke shit that made me gag. 

Now that I'm administrating my own puke-shit, admin shouldn't bother me.

Now that I'm doing admin just to make my dreams come true, I might even come to like admin with time. But then, does that mean i'll be working even later into the night?! 

Career Reflections on Lunar New Year!

The turn of the year is also a time to review our aspirations and reflect on our careers and other priorities.

Reflections on Career Transition is a guidebook that may help you consider your career progression and change. Although designed for militaries moving on to new careers, this book contains reflective exercises, career tips, and insights relevant to all.

Check out the free EBOOK here now! Or read more about the guidebook here.

Here's wishing you a very happy, meaningful, and fulfilling new lunar year ahead!