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06/26/2007

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Manjeet Shergill describes herself as an "island girl". In the tranquil Red Sea Gallery that houses her collection, she explains that she uses paint and canvas to express the world she knows and to chart her own personal, creative journey through it. Influenced both by the techniques of the French Post-Impressionists and by her Sikh-Singaporean upbringing, it is not surprising that her works are a fusion of East and West. "There's a flat, vague and youngish quality in Singaporean art today", Manjeet reflects. "In Eastern countries such as India, painters are influenced by generations of cultural and creative traditions that you don't find in Singapore". Manjeet says that this gives Singaporeans the freedom to absorb and reflect global trends in art, which means they have the potential to make a difference in the world visual arts community. "We're a country which grew from a little village into a modern city-state only forty years ago and we're still working to discover who we are", she says. "In searching for our cultural identity, we have a fresh, blank canvas on which to explore and synthesize new ideas". "I am happy to have been born in Singapore and into a Sikh family", Manjeet declares on her website. "Being Sikh means you are a learner and that's a good thing. It's a way of life that encourages individuality. For a long time, I didn't know what I wanted to do. Painting started as a therapy for me before it became something I did for passion and for income. I left home early to find work and myself. My family has accepted what I do and who I am. I know my parents, in their simple way, are proud of the courage I have had to live the life of my choice".

Manjeet's compositions do suggest the innocence she speaks of. In them, she explores line and form in an undeniably minimalistic way. That said, her work cannot be classified  -  she is constantly evolving and experimenting with new textures, techniques and subjects. Rather than assaulting the senses, her art has a soothing, simple and direct quality.

"My vision is to create art that is balanced, harmonious, fresh and calm", she reveals.

Currently, Manjeet is experimenting with new ideas. Using Post-Impressionist art as an inspiration, her pieces reflect the desire, in her own words, to "recompose past compositions. For example, there is a lovely Modigliani painting of a Jewish-Italian woman clothed in earth-coloured garments. I gave his work my own interpretation by featuring an Indian woman wearing a colourful sari".

She adds, "As a Singaporean artist, I love to experiment with and integrate Eastern themes into my pieces".

Her work covers a wide range of subjects, from portraits and nudes to abstracts and still-life. She has also used various media  -  pastel, watercolour and mixed  -  but now focuses on oil because of its quality and longevity.

Manjeet loves colour, and her bold palette of fire-reds, jade-greens, umbers and translucent greys complements the simplicity and directness of her subjects. Her pure hues bring to life a study of a frangipani flower and a bowl of cherries, eliciting an emotional response from the viewer.

Manjeet has international representation and has exhibited in both London and Bangkok. For the time being, she says, she will be focusing on putting together her next collection. That's something to look forward to.   

[For more info on Manjeet Shergill's art: www.shergillstudio.com . For info on her new exhibition, www.art-loft.com .] 

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