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SINGAPORE - London cabs, prepare yourselves for Mr B.
Or as his mum probably calls him, Ben Kwek.
The 26-year-old illustrator (picture), who won this year’s Tiger Translate Future tilt in August, left for London represent Singapore at the Tiger Translate’s global event on Sept 20.
The event, which will be held at the warehouse-like Hearn Street Car Park in East London, will also feature multimedia artists and at least two Asian rock groups from Thailand and Vietnam. Four British groups and artists will also be participating: Eine, Pure Evil, High Calorie and Monorex.
Kwek doesn’t know who he’ll be collaborating with, but one thing’s for sure: He’ll be “vandalising” at least one London taxi with his art.
“I’ll be fusing Asian art elements and graffiti based on the theme of ‘Voyage,’” he told TODAY.
No word yet if he’ll be creating a funky-looking Merlion, but Kwek did admit he’s “more excited than nervous”.
“It’s going to be a big thing,” he said.
And after everything’s done, the artist plans to extend his stay.
“I look forward to taking in and absorbing the unique cultural and arts scene of London.”
Kwek is the latest addition in a growing number of cutting-edge artists and designers who’re associated with Tiger Beer’s Tiger Translate platform (and thus, an exclusive bunch who call themselves Tiger Asian Kinetic Artists, or AKAs).
That’s not their only common denominator, though, as these so-called AKAs also go by quirky nicknames like Shearnation, Funkbuilders, ReelLoco, Momorobo, Critica, Pixel Pastry and, er, Scum Design.
Since 2005, the brand’s “global lifestyle initiative” has been showcasing the best of what Asia’s young artists have to offer in the fields of art, design, photography and music.
Singapore’s players in the graphic field have toured very well.
In 2006, the folk of local design collective Phunk Studio strutted their stuff at the Tiger Translate’s global event in Dublin. Last year, AKAs Kuanth and Jing were in New York for the same event. This May, another AKA, Anthony Chong, flew to Laos for another Tiger Translate event.
According to Chris Lee, creative director for “ideas company” Asylum and one of the judge at the contest where Kwek won, Singaporeans have got what it takes.
“Visual artists from Singapore can and have made it on the international scene. Artists/design collectives such as Phunk Studio are proof that Singaporean visual artists have what it takes to succeed, and nothing can stand in our way,” said Lee.
Not even London Cabs. - TODAY/ar
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