JOSEPHIANS | LUMEN 11
Ruben Pang , a full-time artist , returned to SJI in 2011 as an artist-in-residence . The SJI Artist-in-Residence Programme enables students to observe and interact with a professional artist , giving them invaluable insight to the differences between academic and professional practice .
When asked how SJI was instrumental in igniting his interest in art when he was a student here , Ruben said his introduction to a whole range of techniques , mediums and art history started in school . “ My first experience with painting and pen illustration was in SJI ,” recalls Ruben fondly . He added , “ I ' ve always looked forward to the Talent Art Program sessions and it was the subject that was most engaging .”
Facing page : Reuben with his SYF 2008 Gold Award winning artwork
This page ( top ): Reuben with his peers ( from left ) Jonathan Goh , Michael Ee and Jian Hao , and Art teacher Mrs Vivian Tan
This page ( right ): Reuben ' s painting that was commissioned for SJI Pelandok Scouts 100 years of Scouting
The four years in the TAP were more about development and progression than expression , the young artist says . Despite having to follow a set of rules for the grading criteria , Ruben attributes his early development to these mandates . “ I did well when a project had a clear set of rules . When given a bit of freedom , my work became predictable ,” he reflects .
An indelible experience he had was when he had trouble finalising his project proposal for his ‘ O ’ level art project . “ My mind was in so many different directions , looking for a more complex concept or a louder statement ,” says Ruben . He admits that he was not good at taking criticism , and would mull over it and try to come up with something which obtained complete approval .
“ Eventually Mrs Vivian Tan pointed me in a completely different direction - fashion illustration . It just clicked and I found myself fully immersed in it ,” reminisces Ruben . Unsurprisingly , his final pieces were impressive and they formed his portfolio for his application to the Lasalle College of the Arts . His artwork has since taken residence in SJI .
Ruben is grateful that both his teachers and fellow students in the TAP provided a lot of patience , freedom and room for discussion . This was of course accompanied by intense brainstorming and brutal honesty . “ But there was always lots of humour ,” he adds .
During his time as SJI ’ s artist-inresidence in 2011 , Ruben acknowledges that he learnt as much from the students as they did from him . “ They overcome their initial uncertainties and then proceed to attack their canvases with a sense of fearlessness . The young artists in SJI have some really radical ideas . That sent my art world spinning on a different axis . They helped me see things from a fresh perspective ,” he says .
Ruben noted that having parents and tutors in SJI who never shielded him from failure and rejection helped him to grow as an artist and a person . He strongly believes that accepting failure and rejection is an integral part of any endeavour .
Ruben believes that the Artist-in-Residence Programme enables students to look at the varieties of processes that different artists adopt in their work . “ Working with the art tutors , an artist or a designer introduces a new dynamism to artistic discourse and the development of critical thinking ,” Ruben states .
Ruben feels that the TAP has also developed in its own right , but he feels the old rule still applies . “ What happens in the art room stays in the art room ,” he says with a laugh .
Nine years on and the TAP continues to nurture promising artists and fuel their passion . The relative youth of the TAP graduates ( the first cohort graduated in 2003 ) make their accomplishments even more commendable . We are proud to have Ruben and other graduates from the programme carving niches for themselves in the real world .
If you are interested to view Ruben ’ s work visit his website : www . rubenpang . com