News

May 2020 - New Cities Project

“I finally started the new Cities Projects in May 2020 after researching major cities around the world. The idea was inspired during the lock down period caused by Covid 19. My travel plans earlier in the year had to be cancelled due to the pandemic and I turned my attention to recording images of Cities around the world. I really wanted to reflect something positive that illustrated all the energy and life of each of the cities I was concentrating on before Covid struck. The global scale of the pandemic has been catastrophic for everybody and I just wanted to create something uplifting and positive as a means of a virtual escape. I will continue my research around the world and add to the "Cities Project".

After my invite to the Singapore Saint Andrews Society Ball in November, I agreed to donate a commissioned piece of work to one of the society members. The result was a "Memory Board" piece of art work which depicted meaningful, personal slices of life relating to the society member. We worked together over a period of time exchanging ideas until I was given the freedom to layout a design on his behalf. The memory boards have pushed me in a new direction where personal information is shared and then illustrated on canvas using collage and acrylic.

March 2020 - Memory Board Commission

Ken kindly wrote the following on his FB page as a testimonial on my behalf:
"Just before the weekend I met with the incredibly talented Singapore-based Scottish artist Niall McWilliam, whose artwork I had purchased at a recent auction held by the Singapore St. Andrew's Society. After months of fun chats and painstaking sourcing and compilation on his part, he has produced this highly personalised and beautiful collage artwork, based on my bonkers life! Everything gets a mention in there, places and things which are meaningful to me alongside various secret little "Easter eggs" that I still have to figure out! Personally, I am absolutely thrilled with it!

PM him if you love it and want something similar; but UTTERLY UNIQUE; for yourself or a loved one! It would make for an outstanding wedding or birthday gift! "

Feb 2020 Invitation to Submit Art Development to The RSA in Edinburgh

In 1986 I was awarded the John Kinross Fellowship to travel and study in Italy. In February 2020 I was asked to reflect on the progress of me work and how the Fellowship award contributed to my development as a full time professional artist. Below are the questions and statements which I supplied to the RSA. I was also asked to submit images of my latest work which they could include on their website.

At the time of the Scholarship:

1. How did the experience affect you as an individual?
The Scholarship was a great boost to my confidence as an artist. It changed my perception of colour and how a new environment can influence your thought processes being exposed to different cultures and architecture. It gave me a sense of determination to further explore my art.

2. What was the impact on your practice?
I felt I was more disciplined in my approach to recording subject matter. I was very focused on searching for places of interest and then following up with sketching. It also helped that the weather was very favourable in Italy and I enjoyed drawing and sketching outdoors. I researched more deeply into subject matter which helped me understand more the cultural and historical aspects of the country I was staying in.

Now:
3. What would you say the long term impact has been on yourself and your work?
I feel more comfortable now being able to explore more subject matter that interests me. It has definitely helped me to express colour more vividly and I have more of a sense of cultural values. This aspect has stuck with me since leaving Scotland and moving to Singapore. I have been researching all the mixed cultural diversities here in SG and I have made an effort to engage with the local communities to explore new themes for my work.

Nov. 2019 - Invitation to Exhibit Paintings at The Singapore Saint Andrews Society Ball
in The Shangri-La Hotel

I was extremely fortunate to be invited to the Saint Andrews Society Ball where I was allowed to exhibit a collection of paintings at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. It was a great opportunity for me to showcase a selection of my Scottish oil paintings and some of my new Singapore works as well. I had the opportunity to network with many of the society members and make new friends and contacts.

August 2019 - Beach Clean Event Organised by "Seven Clean Seas"

"Seven Clean Seas" Singapore's 5th Anniversary Beach Clean Up. A great way to kick start a Saturday and do a little bit for the environment. Met some wonderful people and enjoyed the clean-up of one of Singapore's beaches at the weekend. Will be back in September to be involved again. Over 400 people managed to fill an industrial skip in 2 hours an amazing effort!!

Feb 2019 - Exhibiting Paintings at the Parallax London Art Fair

I was invited to submit paintings to the Parallax Art Fair in London over two weekends during February 2019. It was an amazing opportunity for me to return to the UK and be able to display my current Singapore work. The venue can be very busy at times however the atmosphere generated was quite unique.
I managed to speak to so many people who were interested in seeing work from another country. I really enjoyed sharing my Singapore Art experiences with the people attending the art fair. I also met other artist at the venue and we spoke at length about our own experiences. This was definitely a valuable exercise for me in marketing my work to a broader community. I will definitely consider returning to London to exhibit my work again in the future.
About Parallax:
Parallax ‘Art’ Fair opened at two venues for the first time. With an average of 500 exhibitors and over 10,000 products, representing over 40 countries, it has been dubbed Europe’s largest indoor artist consumer fair. As well as fine art, visitors can also browse exquisite pieces of jewellery design, textiles, furniture, ceramics, photography, and household goods and applied arts all at wholesale price.

November 2018 - Visit to The Singapore Affordable Art Fair

Since moving to Singapore in 2016 I have always enjoyed visiting the AAF each year. It has always been my intention one year to actually exhibit my work at the venue. Although the work is pitched at an "affordable" price range for visitors - it is however quite expensive for Galleries and individual artist to hire space. One route that I explored was to join a collective of 3 other artists to share the hire space rental fees - however our application was not successful. I will keep visiting the Art Fair as I do enjoy meeting with gallery owners. I also find it a rich source of inspiration looking at all the varied works that are on show. It is an international event and I love seeing what other artist are involved with.

Nov. 2018 - Invite to Eden Hall - The Residence of the British High Commissioner in Singapore
To Film Exterior and Interior Views of the Property for a Painting Project

After meeting with Scott Wightman, The British High Commissioner I asked if it would be possible to return to Eden Hall to carry out a painting project. The idea was to reflect the history and architecture of the building. I was delighted when my proposal was agreed to and I was so enthusiastic to be able to record images at the property and develop the recordings into a final art work.

Completed Painting for the Eden Hall Project - "Eden Hall Memories"

August 2018 Exhibition at Hvala, in Chijmes Singapore

I was very furtunate to have an Exhibition at Hvala situated inside the stunning location of Chijmes in Singapore. Hvala is a Japanese style Tea House combining matcha beverages and a wide selection of cakes. It is a very relaxing environment and also has a display area at the back where art can be housed. Chijmes is one of my favourite places just to wander around and chill so I was very excited at the prospect of being able to display my work there.

May 2018 Invited to Exhibit Works at The Assisi Hospice Charity Event Singapore

I was approached by "Studio Fine Art Gallery" and asked if I would support the Assisi Charity Event by donating some of my works. I was happy to oblige and submitted one original and 3 prints. The 3 prints were donated to the charity allowing them to retain any profits from their sale.

Three Donated Prints

Nov. 2017 - Vanguard Commission to house a new piece of work in their waiting area

I was approached by the Manager of Vanguard in Singapore to design and paint a picture that reflected his staff's accounts of Singapore. The whole process was extremely unique for me and very rewarding. Initially I met with all the staff to record their thoughts on Singapore and what were the significant things for them living in this Country. I then translated their accounts and created a mixed media collage, oil and acrylic titled "Reflections of Singapore". I was also asked to design five small paintings to hang outside of each of the office rooms. The titles of the rooms were chosen by the staff "Partnership, Victory, Vision, Trust and Inclusion".

Five designs to hang outside the office rooms representing "Vision, Partnership, Trust, Victory and Inclusion"

June. 2017 Invitation to Eden Hall - By The British High Commissioner in Singapore
For The Queen's Birthday Celebrations

The British High Commissioner Scott Wightman asked if I could supply and display several of my Scottish and Singaporean paintings to be hung during the Queen's Birthday Celebrations. This would be a temporary arrangement but would allow me exposure during a very high profile event. To my surprise I was also given an invite to the event. It was such a unique an amazing experience for me - one that I will never forget.

May 2017 Solo Exhibition at Cowerkz Gallery Space

My first exhibition in Singapore at Cowekz where I also have my studio. Cowerkz is a co-working initiative where several businesses share working office space. I was very fortunate to be able to hire space here and have established my studio since January 2017. Cowerkz were very supportive and allowed me to hang my paintings permanently in the public space areas effectively giving me my own gallery. The next stage was allowing me to have an exhibition in May 2017. It was a great opportunity for me to network further and share my art to a wider community.

Press Release and accompanying images:

Niall McWilliam’s first solo exhibition is currently being held at CoWerkz Geylang Road titled “From Scotland to Singapore”. The Private Preview was held on Saturday 27 May 2017 and was attended by The British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman and his wife Anne.
Left to right: Stanley Ng, founder of CoWerkz Pte Ltd, Scott Wightman, Anne Wightman, Niall McWilliam, Steven Ong, Managing Director of CoWerkz Pte Ltd.

Niall moved to Singapore just over a year ago and has produced a new body of work based on his observations of multiculturism in Singapore. He has translated a series of work using oil and mixed media. Recently Niall has been working on “narrative portraits” which tell the story or theme surrounding the subject who volunteered their time. The portraits reflect a slice of the subjects life which the artist translates in a unique way. Included in the exhibition are also a series of works of Scottish landscapes and seascapes before he moved. The exhibition concludes on
12 June 2017 – it is being held at “CoWerkz” 259A Geylang Road, Singapore 389315.