Hi, I’m SK Chang
I’m an emerging artist living in Singapore who spends much of my time on oil painting.
I hold a deep reverence for time, patience and the beauty found in the rare, unguarded moments of the human experience.
“Bit by bit, these curious ideas insidiously crept into my mind.
Shaped by my boisterous, loud and expressive siblings, I grew into the arts – perhaps a willing accomplice in their influence.”
The childhood that inspired me
As the youngest of seven, I was the baby that tagged along everywhere – from swimming to shopping. When they swooned over 1970s English pop, I memorized every lyric and sang them like a pro. When they were obsessed with Qiong Yau dramas, I knew every single heartthrob by name. When my older brother rendered me as an ugly character in his self-created comic, I burst into tears.
However, bit by bit, these curious ideas about music, drawing and movies crept into my mind. Later on, these developed into passion, love and creativity. Shaped by my boisterous, loud and expressive older siblings, I grew into the arts – perhaps a willing accomplice in their influence. Drawing became my chosen language.
“Bit by bit, these curious ideas insidiously crept into my mind.
Shaped by my boisterous, loud and expressive siblings, I grew into the arts – perhaps a willing accomplice in their influence.”
The childhood that inspired me
As the youngest of seven, I was the baby that tagged along everywhere – from swimming to shopping. When they swooned over 1970s English pop, I memorized every lyric and sang them like a pro. When they were obsessed with Qiong Yau dramas, I knew every single heartthrob by name. When my older brother rendered me as an ugly character in his self-created comic, I burst into tears.
However, bit by bit, these curious ideas about music, drawing and movies crept into my mind. Later on, these developed into passion, love and creativity. Shaped by my boisterous, loud and expressive older siblings, I grew into the arts – perhaps a willing accomplice in their influence. Drawing became my chosen language.
“I found myself like a fish out of water. I tried painting many things and kept asking myself, what should I paint?”
The first steps of my journey
In 2015, I began my art journey with oil painting classes from the renowned artist Mr Wee Shoo Leong. Painting had always come easily to me; yet I found myself like a fish out of water. From composition to choosing subjects, and even ensuring the right consistency of paint, I was lost. It was both an art and science that required years of hard work and patience.
The one thing that I was struggled most with was my niche. I often heard advice that I had to focus on painting certain subjects to be able to master it. Even so, I tried painting many different things. In the end, I kept asking myself: what should I paint?
“I found myself like a fish out of water. I tried painting many things and kept asking myself, what should I paint?”
The first steps of my journey
In 2015, I began my art journey with oil painting classes from the renowned artist Mr Wee Shoo Leong. Painting had always come easily to me; yet I found myself like a fish out of water. From composition to choosing subjects, and even ensuring the right consistency of paint, I was lost. It was both an art and science that required years of hard work and patience.
The one thing that I was struggled most with was my niche. I often heard advice that I had to focus on painting certain subjects to be able to master it. Even so, I tried painting many different things. In the end, I kept asking myself: what should I paint?
“But it was my passion, how could I quit?”
The tough journey ahead
Starting oil painting at such a late point in life was daunting. Looking at all the artists work made me feel I could never reach their standard. Eager to share my works, I exhibited my works in a cafe (“Flore Pattisserie”). I even sought the opinion of an art gallery owner, who advised me against pursuing a career in art at such a late point in life. But it was my passion, how could I quit?
“But it was my passion, how could I quit?”
The tough journey ahead
Starting oil painting at such a late point in life was daunting. Looking at all the artists work made me feel I could never reach their standard. Eager to share my works, I exhibited my works in a cafe (“Flore Pattisserie”). I even sought the opinion of an art gallery owner, who advised me against pursuing a career in art at such a late point in life. But it was my passion, how could I quit?
“If painting explores the nuances of a subject, what more fascinating subject is there than humans?”
My special love for portraits
There is a special place in my heart for portraits – seeing the story behind every subject: their source of happiness, their worries or anxiety, what do they live for. If painting is a journey of exploring the nuances of a subject, what more fascinating subject is there than humans?
It is infinitely interesting for me, and I hope to be able to discover my subjects – so oftentimes my loved ones or admired ones – to find out their secret to living.
“If painting explores the nuances of a subject, what more fascinating subject is there than humans?”
My special love for portraits
There is a special place in my heart for portraits – seeing the story behind every subject: their source of happiness, their worries or anxiety, what do they live for. If painting is a journey of exploring the nuances of a subject, what more fascinating subject is there than humans?
It is infinitely interesting for me, and I hope to be able to discover my subjects – so oftentimes my loved ones or admired ones – to find out their secret to living.
“Paintings express the very things we cannot say.”
Paintings especially close to my heart
There are undoubtedly a few paintings that I especially cherish, not because of how it looks but its significance to myself. “Just a Bit of Fizz” bears the unspoken pride of a parent who has witnessed their child’s graduation, and who, like so many traditional Asian parents, is shy to express verbal affirmation.
“A Gift” imbues the unbelievable joy of a misshapen “ugly duckling” who cannot believe his luck at finding a ripe fruit. This is for all of us with the imposter syndrome, myself included, who have never felt deserving of the opportunities that have befallen us in life.
“Paintings express the very things we cannot say.”
Paintings especially close to my heart
There are undoubtedly a few paintings that I especially cherish, not because of how it looks but its significance to myself. “Just a Bit of Fizz” bears the unspoken pride of a parent who has witnessed their child’s graduation, and who, like so many traditional Asian parents, is shy to express verbal affirmation.
“A Gift” imbues the unbelievable joy of a misshapen “ugly duckling” who cannot believe his luck at finding a ripe fruit. This is for all of us with the imposter syndrome, myself included, who have never felt deserving of the opportunities that have befallen us in life.
“On truly special days, my paintings also move those around me – my family and my friends.”
Creating artCsk with my daughter
Painting is often a solitary yet deeply fulfilling journey. It allows me to connect with my inner self, the environment, and the natural world. On truly special days, they also move those around me – my family and friends.
My daughter grew up surrounded by drawings and paintings from the time she was very young. While she did not inherit my love for drawing or painting, she developed her own way of creating – through words. She has become my most thoughtful art critic and my unwavering supporter.
This incredible journey inspired me to create artCsk together with her – offering experiences for introspection, healing and wonder.
“On truly special days, my paintings also move those around me – my family and my friends.”
Creating artCsk with my daughter
Painting is often a solitary yet deeply fulfilling journey. It allows me to connect with my inner self, the environment, and the natural world. On truly special days, they also move those around me – my family and friends.
My daughter grew up surrounded by drawings and paintings from the time she was very young. While she did not inherit my love for drawing or painting, she developed her own way of creating – through words. She has become my most thoughtful art critic and my unwavering supporter.
This incredible journey inspired me to create artCsk together with her – offering experiences for introspection, healing and wonder.
“By pairing the two, the audience is invited to not only see, but feel and reflect – creating an experience that lingers beyond the canvas.”
Weaving paintings with stories
Paintings speak in colours and form, while stories speak in words and rhythm. A painting stirs emotion, while a story gives that emotion language; a story may capture memory, but a painting gives that memory texture.
By pairing the two, the audience is invited to not only see, but feel and reflect – creating an experience that lingers beyond the canvas.
Our process begins with my painting, borne from a moment of inspiration, whether it is a fleeting feeling, memory or quiet beauty of everyday life. From there, the story takes shape with my daughter, sometimes echoing the original emotion, sometimes revealing hidden layers that deepen the experience.
Together, they form an intimate experience of reflection and healing.
“By pairing the two, the audience is invited to not only see, but feel and reflect – creating an experience that lingers beyond the canvas.”
Weaving paintings with stories
Paintings speak in colours and form, while stories speak in words and rhythm. A painting stirs emotion, while a story gives that emotion language; a story may capture memory, but a painting gives that memory texture.
By pairing the two, the audience is invited to not only see, but feel and reflect – creating an experience that lingers beyond the canvas.
Our process begins with my painting, borne from a moment of inspiration, whether it is a fleeting feeling, memory or quiet beauty of everyday life. From there, the story takes shape with my daughter, sometimes echoing the original emotion, sometimes revealing hidden layers that deepen the experience.
Together, they form an intimate experience of reflection and healing.