Artists from Singapore and the Asian region ponder the questions surrounding creativity, inspiration and purpose in today’s world. Here, we speak to Yim Maline from Cambodia, represented by Richard Koh Fine Art.
What would you say are the best things about being an artist today?
The opportunity to connect to the rest of the world.
What are the biggest challenges facing the art world now?
Some of the biggest challenges facing the art world now are centred around war—economic wars, competing on technology, and political conflicts that result in war. Artists’ works are informed by what is happening around them. Mine is no different. Having grown up in poverty and conflict, my artwork attempts to encapsulate the fear and horrible times, to capture that moment in time. It took me a long time to overcome feelings of sadness and hopelessness. In the many stages of grieving, I have arrived at the stage of accepting the situation and possessing the will to survive. Throughout this I have continued to work on my creativity.
How should one approach contemporary art?
Personally, I never knew how I could be an artist; I just love art and made many sacrifices for my creative process.
Why do you create art?
I create art because I want to express my philosophy; art is the only way that allows me to communicate with the world.
How do you continually find inspiration?
I am a part of nature, so I learn from the environment around me by observing, looking, and touching—it inspires my artwork. Plus, the joy of creating something can be really addictive. The act of creating is inspiring in itself, by revealing the endless possibilities of where your art can take you. Art is everywhere.
What’s something you would like to explore next?
I would like to delve deeper into the nature of microorganisms. There’s so much to explore beyond what you can see with the naked eye, I’ve always found them fascinating and can’t wait to explore this realm.
PHOTOGRAPHY JAYA KHIDIR