Danny Raven Tan : Cancer Survivor Turned Artist Adds Eclectic Flavour to Local Art Scene

In this issue of ELEMENT Magazine, we step into the world of local artist, Danny Raven Tan. He offered to bring us on a tour of The Tiffin Gallery – an art space converted from the artist’s own apartment in one of Singapore’s oldest estates. Surrounded by the artworks in his living room, we sat down for a chat.

- Melvin Chew

ELEMENT: TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PAINTINGS.

Tan : My works are generally conceptual, impressionistic, provocative – some even controversial. I am experimental, and like pushing boundaries. I like to capture the energy and exuberance of my surroundings with rich and vibrant colours, and document dynamic compositions with bold brush strokes.

The sheer anticipation of translating my emotions and ideas onto a white canvas are both exciting and agonising! I absolutely enjoy being lost in this uncertain journey of timeless space filled with possibilities.

I do not deliberately try to evocate controversial issues with shocking images through my works. Art should not be sensationalized. Rather, art should comfort the disturbed, and disturb those in comfort. I believe art can communicate what words cannot.

I want visitors to say, “I am glad I came”, after visiting The Tiffin Gallery.

ELEMENT: ARE YOU INFLUENCED BY ANY INSPIRATIONAL FIGURES?

Tan : I am very much influenced by Austrian artist Voka, who coined the term Spontaneous Realism to describe the dynamic creative process of his representational and impressionistic imagery. The explosive colours and energetic brushwork in his paintings describe familiar images in a personal manner.

ELEMENT: WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

Tan : Currently, I am working on a collection titled COLOURS. I use various types of flowers in this collection. Flowers have long been admired and used by humans to beautify their environment. They are also used as symbols of romance, rituals, religion, medicine, and also as a source of food.

Flowers have evolved to attract animals for pollination purposes so that they can be fertilized. Evolution helped them to reproduce. In a way, humans are similar to flowers.