Swimming Retrograde
Tatler Singapore|July 2023
From his Brooklyn studio, artist Angel Otero gives Tatler insight into his creative process revealing the fraught struggle in remembering
Aaina Bhargava
Swimming Retrograde

One of Angel Otero’s first drawings was of Hello Kitty. At the age of six, the Puerto Rican artist saw his neighbour, a young girl, drawing a perfect copy of the cartoon character. He was fascinated by what he saw and wanted to try it for himself. “It wasn’t because I was into Hello Kitty or anything,” he’s quick to clarify. “I was just amazed that she was able to draw perfectly from memory, and I wanted to learn how to do it.”

Waves were one of the earliest standard motifs the artist was formally taught how to draw—he recalls being told to write the letter “C” and build from that, adapting the curved lines to make swelling bodies of water. “It’s these things I hold onto when I’m thinking about art—my early beginnings as an artist and my connection to my past.”

The ocean has long been an important part of Otero’s life—he grew up in Puerto Rico—and water and aquatic themes are ubiquitous throughout his work. Most recently, waves feature in new paintings the artist has made for The Sea Remembers, an exhibition currently on view in the Hauser & Wirth gallery in Hong Kong; the show ends July 29.

The artist spoke with Tatler at his Brooklyn studio three weeks ahead of the exhibition opening,

Esta historia es de la edición July 2023 de Tatler Singapore.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July 2023 de Tatler Singapore.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE TATLER SINGAPOREVer todo
Mathew Leong
Tatler Singapore

Mathew Leong

As the Norway-based Singaporean chef celebrates a milestone year both personally and professionally, he opens up about the toughest moments of his career and why failing is not an option

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2024
Asian Inspirations
Tatler Singapore

Asian Inspirations

Chef Ace Tan on his second restaurant, Asu-his love letter to regional Asian cuisine

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
State of the Arts
Tatler Singapore

State of the Arts

Arts nominated member of parliament Usha Chandradas discusses growing the creative economy by focusing on both supply and demand

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
Through a Curator's Lens
Tatler Singapore

Through a Curator's Lens

Circe Henestrosa, a fashion curator and the head of the School of Fashion at Lasalle College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, merges her personal connection with artist Frida Kahlo with her extensive curatorial experience to explore intersecting themes of identity, disability and cultural heritage

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
Second Nature
Tatler Singapore

Second Nature

Poet and educator Yong Shu Hoong brings fresh perspectives to the helm of the Singapore Writers Festival, from interdisciplinary perspectives to multilingual programmes

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2024
Wine Down
Tatler Singapore

Wine Down

Nothing wraps up the day like a nice glass of vino. From flashy hedonistic escapades to geeky watering holes, these new wine bars promise celebrated viniferous pours that will please even the most discerning of oenophiles

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2024
A Legacy in Silhouettes
Tatler Singapore

A Legacy in Silhouettes

Kristina Blahnik, CEO of the designer shoe brand Manolo Blahnik and the niece of its legendary founder, shares her insights on preserving the house's heritage and introduces the new Manolo's Silhouettes campaign

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2024
To Have and to Hold
Tatler Singapore

To Have and to Hold

With its sumptuous textures, Loro Piana's elegant autumn/winter 2024 collection is a chic celebration of craft, quality and the universal appeal of tactility

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024
Scent of Strength
Tatler Singapore

Scent of Strength

Hermès unveils its first chypre perfume, Barénia―a captivating fragrance crafted by renowned perfumer Christine Nagel that embodies bold femininity and celebrates the brand's rich heritage

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024
Nocturnal Revival
Tatler Singapore

Nocturnal Revival

Nighttime skincare rituals will get a boost of supercharged restoration with La Mer's new Rejuvenating Night Cream

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2024