ARTIST'S PROFILE

671 Jalan Damai #08-13 Singapore 410671
contact : 90611612 (h/p) 68481374 (h)
email : elelz_3@yahoo.com.sg

QUALIFICATIONS

2005
National Institute of Education, Singapore
Visual Art Specialization (Secondary)
Diploma In Art Education

1990 – 1992
LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts
Diploma in Interior Design

TEACHING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2005 - current
Teacher (Secondary)
Damai Secondary School
2004
Trainee Teacher (Secondary Level)
Teaching Practice, Bedok North Secondary School

2003
Contract Relief Teacher (Secondary Level)
Bedok Town Secondary School, Singapore

CLUBS AND SOCIETY

2003
Singapore Teacher’s Union
Member
Singapore

EXHIBITION

2005
NIE Diploma Show
"29:05"
National Institute of Education Gallery, Singapore

1992
LaSalle Diploma Show, LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts Hall
Goodman Road, Singapore

ABOUT THE ARTIST

n o r L I z a h Z a i n u l A b e e d I n
671 Jalan Damai #08-13 Singapore 410671
email : elelz_3@yahoo.com.sg

My current work is to work on my canvas around the concept of the energy of space without boundary and the distinctions aside the backdrop of conformity. The parameter of the canvas is the boundary that we put upon ourselves, a human condition. I came to realize that, that space gives me such infinite spectrum when I wanted it to. The syntax of art; the rhythm, the depth, the contrast etc are the visual essence which elevates my senses of expression.

One can be too exhaustively preoccupied to submit to the complexity of life experiences that one may overlook the simple and authentic beauty that surrounds it.

“To create and to articulate the dynamics of life in its simplest form is most refreshing”

Unbounded energy 2 0 0 5

PAINTINGS

CERAMICS

The experience of ceramics-making has given me an added dimension to a visual expression of a three-dimensional form. Clay may well be regarded as a little more than a wet weather nuisance, but its characteristics of plasticity and porousity has given me an exhilarating experience of ceramics making.


"Form-of-isolation"

‘Form-of-isolation’ was the result of the fusion between the ceramics of the past with the current context of the 20th century. I was inspired to infuse the Earthenware storage jar of the Greek period of the 8th century B.C and the ‘Lily bowl’ by Rolf Bartz of Australia created in 1991.
The soft-slab method was used to embed the relief-form of the lily motif and was integrated with the coiling method which proved to be a challenge in maintaining the near-to-symmetrical balance of the form. The ceramics work is an expression of an art form to serve a function without compromising its aesthetic value but more than it is designed to communicate a certain visual meaning of a strong and sensual characteristic of a woman. A single lily as a relief within the enormous body of the vessel would clearly project such characteristic.

"Pinching" technique

"Slab" technique

PHOTOGRAPHY

My meticulous sense of observation of the surroundings has driven me to have the ownership of certain subject matters which would otherwise be the things of the pass separated by time. These are some of the photographs taken purely because of its simplistic nature of aesthetic which gave me quite a refreshing experience.

"Untitled"

"Undying trade"

"Afloat"

"Hang-tin"

"Peagents"

RECENT EXHIBITION REVIEW BY ARTIST

Exhibition Review
Botero in Singapore
Venue: SAM, Singapore
Date: 9 December 2004 - 27 February 2005



By Norlizah Zainul Abeedin

For the first time, Fernando Botero a world-renown Colombian sculptor and painter has put himself at the centre-stage of Asia. He has established himself in the major cities of the world-class art events and exhibitions namely in Baaden, Germany in 1966 to Paris, France in 2003 and this time he is heading towards Asia.
Singapore, who is emerging as a new and challenging arena for art discourse is privileged to be the host of Botero’s solo exhibition of such importance and magnitute. It would not be enough to say about Botero of his unique and authentic presentation as a “Colombia’s soul”. He also claimed for himself the distinction in a trade-mark of the unusually exaggerated size of human, object and animal inflated and voluptuous forms whether of paintings or sculptures.
As a prolific artist of today, the seductive and powerful looks of Paris or New York were never considered as the subject matter of his works. The sources of his art practice were most significant of the Colombian culture and its people in magnifying his own identity of a native Colombian.
Though Botero may be a passé in conforming to the underlying issues of yet another paradigm of social and political conditions in his paintings, I was quite overwhelmed by the sense of monumentality of the figures even at the different hierarchical division of society between the authority, the church and the common people as depicted by Botero.
Whatever underlying intentions he chose to elevate in his works, the innocence of “The boy on the swing” and the beauty of nakedness of “The Bath” would give the viewers a perculiar but refreshing form of aesthetics though certain details of proportion has to be compromised.
Women often takes centre-stage in art works by famous artists simply because of the gaze by the phallocratic male. One may be relished with a certain sense whether of hunour or shame when looking at “El Elstudio”, “Woman Undressing” or “The beach” from the perspective least anticipated - their back. However the gaze may invite one to ponder over from a perspective purely of its beauty as viewed by Botero.
The sculpture trail comprising 20 monumental sculpture at different locations of SAM, the Esplanade Park, The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Changi Airport Terminal 2 and Suntec City Lobby would indefinitely provide the viewer with an enriching experience of yet another distinct form of visual expression, like that of the bronze sculpture of “ Horse”, “Woman with fruit” and “Adam”.
One may be too exhausted to consume Botero’s identical concept especially those of his sculptures. – if you have seen one of his works, you have seen them all. However, Botero has his views of aesthetics from the underlying elements of the exaggerated size of the subject matter of his works in his own unique and immaculate style projected from both his paintings and sculptures. You have to be meticulously engaged in viewing Botero’s works before you would be able to see in a different perspective of what Botero has to show.

WRITINGS BY ARTIST

THE STAKEHOLDERS IN SINGAPORE EDUCATION

How do teachers can rise to the challenge of being role models and “catalysts” for change in their students? How can the teacher you build rapport with different kinds of students, regardless of their family backgrounds and abilities, and inspire them in their learning journey?

by Norlizah Z Abeedin

The Teachers’ role has rise beyond the conformity of ‘delivering’ the educational knowledge for their students to be academically equipped in the working world. We have to move in par with the changes of the educational landscape in exploring the new frontiers of knowledge and learning. It is primarily important that students be nurtured with the knowledge and learning opportunity in a wholly diversified spectrum in order to achieve the Desired Outcomes of Education and not just within the academic framework. The teachers have to act as the role model and ‘catalyst’ to make the significant difference. These students have to be provided with the learning experiences which would among other distinctions, cultivate their positive values as being part of the community and augment their passion for life long learning.
Teachers are already faced with the challenge to customize different learning strategies and situations whether inside or outside the classroom setting to ascertain that students develop their confidence for creativity and passion for learning. They have to identify the learning methods and tools to maximize the students learning abilities. It is important that the teachers capitalize students’ individual strengths rather than to criticize their weaknesses in order to build up their confidence in their learning experience to accommodate to their learning needs. This in turn would help the students to realize their potential of being a better learner.
Outside of the family boundary, students do spent a fairly long time in the external condition of mainstream education at the earliest stage of Primary School. It is within that condition that teachers could continue to impart those positive values for the students’ character building other than to support them in the educational aspiration of their learning journey.
Teachers have to be role models to honour students’ individual differences whether of ethnic background or socio-economic status and build up a good rapport as a family unit within the classroom. These students should learn to accept each others’ differences and clearly be taught the importance of positive values of care, trust and respect for others to be carried on in their life long endeavors. As such, they would grow to know the rights from wrongs in dealing with the problems of the existing peer pressure and the negative influences which could be quite hard for them to overcome.
The nurturing process within the framework of school curriculum to develop positive values and passion for life long learning of students would not be sufficient. Teachers are faced with the added challenges to extend their invaluable attention to the students beyond the mainframe of the school educational agendas.
‘Close Connection – Keeping in touch with the parents’, an internet communication programme initiated by Henry Park Primary School is a an example of how teachers play the important roles in working with the principal to reach out to the parents (members of Henry Park Association) to discuss issues and concerns for the students’ education and providing feedbacks on the students learning progress. However, the program does not support the needs of the lower income family who do not have the means of the internet access. Thus, it would be up to the teacher to develop the close relationship with these families through regular contacts and meetings to discuss their children’s education in helping them to realize their potential. They have to reach out to these lower income family to ensure that their children who are weak in their learning abilities be given the opportunity to attend remedial classes or tuitions with the support of the School Social Service group.
As an ideal mentor, teachers have to clearly teach the students the positive values of character building in being part of the community. They need to demonstrate their personal interest in the community by working closely with students to contribute in the community service projects like making visits to the houses of the elderly and distributing gifts to them. At this point, the students will gain the invaluable experience and see clearly the conditions and the needs of the less fortunate elderly and bring some cheers into their lives. In the process, they learn about compassion and care for the less fortunate.
These are some of the examples of how teachers can rise to the challenges of being role models and “catalysts” for changes in their students. Would they be able to cope with the added challenges to meet the changes of the Singapore educational landscape and deal with the high expectations of the parents? Would it be sensible for parents to always pin point and put the blames on the teacher of the wrongdoings of their son or daughter? These challenges and expectations has to be dealt with through a strong reciprocal partnership of the stakeholders – Parents and family, principle, MOE HQ, the Community, Business and Industry, the Alumni Association as well as the School Advisory/Management Committee, in giving the full support to the teachers to help the students achieve the Desired Outcome of Education.

END