Gloria Keh
Biography
Gloria Keh, 69, began painting since childhood. Her late father, the oil painter, Martin Fu was her first art teacher. She studied mandala art and symbolism for over 10 years in Melbourne, Australia. And undertook a short course in art therapy at an art college in Singapore. In 2008, Gloria founded Circles of Love, a non profit charity outreach program, using her art in the service to humanity. Gloria has participated in over 80 exhibitions both internationally as well as in her home country, Singapore. She has been blessed with 18 international art awards.
Artist Statement
Many people pray every day. I am not a religious person but hopefully a spiritual one. And i paint everyday. My artworks are my painted prayers. To be able to paint is not just a gift but a blessing and it is my hope that my painted prayers can be used to benefit the greater good. My reward comes from the very experience of the painting process. A process that goes beyond my intellect and understanding. At 69, all I desire is silence and solitude; to be in communion with my art. I abide by the wisdom of an old proverb that simply says that the hand of the giver is never empty. If one could take these words to heart, one will be blessed with peace of mind. And good art, if one can be so bold as to sit in judgement, can only be born out of a mind that enjoys an inner peace.
WHAT FIRST PROMPTED YOU TO THINK OF BECOMING AN ARTIST?
I was about six or seven years old and had a sweet tooth. My family was very poor, and mother would not buy coke, chocolates and candy to satisfy my sugar cravings. My late father was an oil painter, and my first art teacher. To earn money to buy my sweets, I began peddling my artworks at $3 a pop. During the mid 1950s, this was good money. So the honest truth is the idea of painting and selling art began then to appeal to me.
WHAT KIND OF ARTIST DO YOU ULTIMATELY SEE YOURSELF?
An artist of freedom. To paint without having to concern myself with selling. I just love to paint but dont like the marketing aspect of it. I hate competition. Thankfully, now at 69, I do not have to paint for a livlihood. All my artworks are sold to support charities. But sadly certain types of art sells, and because I raise money for charities through the sales of my art, I need to paint things like flowers, portraitures, landscapes etc. Dont get me wrong, I love flowers, but my real love is to just paint abstracts. I hope one day the demand for my abstracts will outweigh the popularity of my flowers, and recognisable art.
WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO COMMUNICATE TO THE VIEWER THROUGH YOUR WORK?
Depends on my subject matter. With some paintings, the purpose is to ignite an energy to uplift. With some works, it is hoped to instill feelings of peace. And with some works, the message would be an appeal for support of some issue; eg empowering women, standing up against war or animal abuse. Always aimed at increasing overall awareness. But when I paint abstracts, I hope the work will stimulate the minds of viewers to stir emotions, and ponderings: to allow the forms and colors to transport their minds to different realms. To finally just have that little glimpse that transcends thought and the intellect. To just arrive in a stillness state of being. A state of no-mind.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PROCESS OF CREATING YOUR WORK?
I paint from intuition. I do not sketch on the canvas. I have a ritual using paints to first ‘bless’ the blank canvas. Then I invoke the spirit of that canvas to work with me in the creation of a painting. I talk to my paintings. Of course, I have an idea in mind; usually I have pre selected my colors, but as Picasso said the painting is more powerful than me. The painting usually has a mind of its own and calls the shots. I am just the servant - as someone had to hold the brush. And clean up after the painting. I keep a daily art journal and I firmly believe this essential practice forms a springboard for my larger works on canvas.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS?
Watching the ‘baby’ grow: the painting coming into manifestation. The element of surprise especially in water based works; when the paints dry. That sense of awe. Of wide eyed wonder, of satisfaction. Of gratitude. That wow that happens when the painting reaches a stage, when I have to let it go. I do not say completed: because a painting is never finished.
CAN YOU GIVE US AN INSIGHT INTO CURRENT PROJECTS AND INSPIRATION, OR WHAT WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO FROM YOU IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
Am working on a collection for hopefully a third solo in 2022. The theme is Energy. Needless to say all works on large canvases will be in abstraction. Everything is energy. Inspiration is energy. We are nothing without energy.
The other project is one of gratitude. Working on 81 mandalas of Thanksgiving. The number 81 has a powerful numerology. This collection SADHANA 81 that is on paper is not for sale but will be posted and shared on social media.
Website: www.gloriakeh.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kehgloria/
Facebook: Gloria Keh
