Moving out and moving on...

On xmas day, wilk and I went down to the studio space at perumal road to pack up our stuff. After almost 3 years of renting the space from P-10, wilk has finally decided to end his lease and move out. I think both of us are quite sad while packing away the books and paints, and covering his various paintings with paper. Over the years we have seen people moved in and out along this stretch at perumal road but i guess nowadays, more people are moving out than in. It's a pity really, because we did have a wonderful time at the studio. Wilkie will do his arty things while i just chill out and bum around watching him and various other artists around the area, most of which are friends we have known for a while.

I remembered initially when everyone was new and fresh to the place, there were always activities happening on the weekends or evenings, be it talks, performances or shows opening. There were impromptu dinners and coffee breaks at the corner coffee shops and people could be walking in and out of the studio space chatting and talking cock. I was generally a spectator in all this but it was fun listening and watching others. I've also gotten to know new friends and other singaporean young artists who shared the studio spaces around the area, and seen their works. Some of them have moved to other studio spaces, while a few sorta disappeared. A bulk of them are also exisiting art teachers, like wilk, trying to balance out work and their passion for art. Sadly, after a while, most found it difficult to continue on and moved out.. and now i guess, its us.

On the way back after packing... wilk and i had a talk about this. I felt a little frustrated by the fact that people could be drained out of their passion by work and life in general but since i am not the one living that experience, i guess i can't understand how it is to have to juggle making art, creating and yet fulfilling necessary responsibilities. Still, i looked to a few rare examples along perumal road... the individuals who had perservered and felt that nothing is impossible if one has the passion for the kind of life they want and seek to make that happened. Hence quite automatically, i questioned the passion of people who 'gave up' and settle for something else. But i realized that i shouldn't judge others this way since i am not in their shoes... and everyone has that choice to take their own road.

Guess i am just a little... disappointed.

Have plenty of good memories there.. wilk's cat paintings, preparing for exhibitions, kaya toast, billy cat from upstairs, mosquito coils, sunday indian crowds, chatting with other people around the studio, reading my books on the mat, catching a nap, watching others and wilk work on paintings...

Hmmm... Will miss the studio space.. the 'synergy' (though it has been increasingly quiet) and that little slice of life away from the hustle/bustle.