As the economy struggles to escape from the black hole of depression, many of us are trying to find simple happiness in every form. On Friday, I attended the 2nd solo art exhibition by Mr William Sim. Aptly titled, Happiness Pte Ltd 2010. It was just nice touch to cheer us up at this current sluggish economy. And when I invited a friend along for the opening, she was delighted by the title. “So Happy!”, she exclaimed and readily accepted my invite.
I have seen many of William’s works around Singapore but never had a chance to meet the man behind the paintings. So I was excited to meet him and see his latest drawings.
Abit about William Sim
William Sim started painting from the age of 10 under the guidance of pioneer artist Tan Puay Tee. He graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1991 and has since participated in numerous exhibitions. Taking his fantasy realm of pure happiness to another level through his paintings, William Sim builds on a previous exhibition in 2009 bearing the same name. “Happiness Private Limited 2010” sees the artist portraying how time, space and happiness exist in relation to one another.
At the ChanHampe Gallery at Fill Your Walls, people were crowding around the artworks and William was busy attending to his guests. I went up to William to introduce myself, and he immediately recognizes me from photos on my Facebook. (Ah, the magic of social networking)
Throughout the evening, William was a wonderful host and a cheerful chap. His positiveness was very contagious, as he wants to spread positivity, happiness and joy with his paintings and each of them are filled with fantasy, love and joy.
Taking simple everyday objects and from a discussion he had with his friends. William came up with 2 series of fantastic artworks for this solo exhibition. His conversation with his mates about cars and his love for fishes inspired him to come up with mix media drawings of fantasy car-fish. Many different species of fishes were drawn, each depicting different vehicles in a imaginary and fantasy manner. The paintings were quickly snap up as we were chatting.
Manga artist and film director, Hayao Miyazaki, of the anime “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke“, are William’s source of inspirations. So you can see William’s work embodies every fantasy objects and dreamscapes that you can imagine.
Another series consist of his love for marine life and his 12 house cats (Yes, William have 12 cats). Drawings of his cats and symbols of happiness sprinkle throughout his works. Although his paintings are very childlike and fuss free, its simplicity and imaginary fantasy will make you smile.
At the end of the evening, I left Happiness Pte Ltd 2010 filled with positivity and rejuvenated with good energy. Now that’s auspicious art.
Catch Happiness Pte Ltd 2010 at the ChanHampe Gallery at 21 Tanjong Pagar #04-02. Exhibition ends on the 17th October 2010. Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily, except Wednesdays and public holidays. For more information, visit Fill Your Walls website
