Namiko Chan Takahashi
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (August 2022) |
Namiko Chan Takahashi 陈高桥洋子 | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1974 |
| Nationality | Singapore |
| Education | Art Students League of New York, United States |
| Known for | Oil painting |
| Movement | Contemporary art |
| Awards | 2006: Winner, UOB Painting of the Year Award. 1999: Winner, UOB Painting of the Year Award. 1998: Philip Morris ASEAN Art Awards. |
Namiko Chan Takahashi (Chinese: 陈高桥洋子;[1] Hawaiian: Alaka’i Kapuananiokekukui;[2] born 1974[3]) is a Singaporean contemporary artist.[4] Specialising in realist portrait painting, Takahashi won the United Overseas Bank Painting of the Year Award in 2006 for the painting of a nude woman, Charisse.[4] She is an elected member of the International Realism Guild.[3]
Early life and education[edit]
In 1974, Takahashi was born in Singapore to a Japanese mother and a Peranakan father.[3][5] Takahashi studied at the National Junior College (1992-1993), enrolling in the Art Elective Programme.[6]
Takahashi read law at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law.[6] Though she did well in her course of study, Takahashi did not have plans to become a lawyer, working with textiles and in theatre at the university.[5] Takahashi went into jewellery-making and sold her pieces to fellow undergraduates.[5]
After graduating in 1997, Takahashi started a pupillage at a local law firm, only to leave six months later. She continued to sell her own bridal jewellery designs and taught jewellery-making to save some money to further her studies at the Art Students League of New York. In 1999, she received an arts grant from the National Arts Council, which helped fund her education at the League.[7]
In New York, Takahashi studied painting under US artists such as Harvey Dinnerstein, Ronnie Landfield, Daniel Greene and Mary Beth McKenzie at the League.[7] Takahashi graduated from the League in May 2002 and returned to Singapore.
Career[edit]
In November 2001, Takahashi showcased a series of expressionist oil paintings in her exhibition My Life as an Artist in Context with the Will of God at the Art Seasons Gallery. These paintings were created during her years with the Art Students’ League of New York. She had also donated her artwork titled Uma to the law faculty in honour of her teachers there. In turn, the faculty purchased the painting titled Untitled 4, in memory of two former faculty members who have died, Ricardo Almeida and Peter English.[6]
On September 9, 2006, Takahashi won the UOB Painting of the Year competition with her painting Charisse.[8]
With her husband, poet Aaron Lee, she co-founded the Christian contemporary a cappella group Agapella, a home-grown 14-member contemporary Christian ensemble made of young professionals.[9]
A portrait of her friend and local singer Kit Chan was used as album cover illustration for Kit Chan's Dreamscape album.[10]
Known as Alaka’i Kapuananiokekukui Namiko, she directs the Singapore branch of a Hawaiian Hula Dance school called Laniakea, together with her husband.[11] She had trained in ballet, flamenco and Middle Eastern dance for many years. She teaches hula auana, hula hahiko, and hula ho'ano under the direction of Kumu Lei.[12]
Art[edit]
Charisse, a nude painting of a black woman representing "inner strength and determination of women of substance", was of Takahashi's friend and muse at the Art Students League of New York.[8] Takahashi received the award from President of Singapore S R Nathan at the prize presentation ceremony held at the Esplanade.[13]
Major exhibitions[edit]
| Dates | Title | Location |
| 2001 | My Life in Context with the Will of God | Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore |
| 20 November - 18 December 2003 | F R I E N D S / P H A S E S : Portraits and Nudes | The Art Gallery, National Institute of Education, Singapore |
| 23–29 July 2007 | Meeting | Jendela, Esplanade, Singapore |
| 2 August - 2 September 2007 | Parables | Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore |
Further reading[edit]
- Tan, Bridget Tracy; Yeo, Wei-Wei (2011). Women Artists in Singapore. Singapore: Select Publishing. pp. 90–91. ISBN 978-9814385718.
References[edit]
- ^ 吴, 启基 (4 August 2007). "女人更懂女人美？". Lianhe Zaobao.
- ^ "Namiko Chan Takahashi on Intention | CreativeMornings/Singapore". CreativeMornings. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- ^ a b c "Sketch with an Artist: A Workshop Series - An Introduction to Portraiture Painting with Namiko Takahashi Chan". National Museum of Singapore. 2013. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ a b Ngiam, Ying Lan (24 July 2007). "Portraits of a Dancer". Today. p. 37.
- ^ a b c Chettiar, Rajan (February 2003). "Namiko: Child of the South Sea". Law Gazette. Singapore. Archived from the original on 9 September 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
- ^ a b c Bell, Gary (Jan–Jun 2002). "Chan Namiko Takahashi '97" (PDF). Lawlink. 1 (1). Singapore: NUS Faculty of Law: 12–13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2008.
- ^ a b Yong, Siew Fern (8 September 2002). "They dared to dream". The New Paper. Singapore.
- ^ a b "Art teacher's nude painting bags top prize". Straits Times. Singapore. 10 September 2006.
- ^ Yeo, Kew Chai (16 November 2007). "Soundbites". Straits Times Life! Music. Singapore.
- ^ Chow, Clara (25 September 2006). "Portrait of an artist; UOB Painting of the Year winner Namiko Chan Takahashi admires her mother's strength, and that of ordinary women". Straits Times Life!. Singapore.
- ^ "ABOUT US". Laniakea Culture Collective. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- ^ "About Kumu Lei & Alaka'i Puanani". Ka Pā Hula Ka Lei Maile Hi'ilani. 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
- ^ Leong, Su-Lin (11 September 2006). "Portrait of long lost friend strikes gold". Straits Times Life!. Singapore.
