Drawn To The Arts

His parents might have had a different career path in mind for him, but that did not stop Quinn Lum from pursuing his passion for the arts. We speak to the university student on defying societal norms and taking the road less travelled.

 

- Fabian Loo

“When you graduate, we are going to retire. Now we are feeding you, and in the future you have to do the same for us,” was what his parents told Quinn Lum, a student from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Like many traditional Asian households, such a “future” would look something like this: scoring straight As, getting into a good university, and eventually securing a stable job. But for Quinn, he had his own plans.

Not one to comply with societal norms, the 23-year-old turned to art as a form of exploration; translating his desire for artistic freedom into bold colours and abstract silhouettes. And his perseverance paid off – Quinn’s recent works have been showcased in exhibitions including the China International Photo Festival 2015, and he was also awarded the Most Promising Young Artist Award at UOB Painting 2010 and Gold with Honours in the Singapore Youth Festival Arts and Crafts Exhibition 2012.

Sitting down with the NTU School Of Art, Design and Media undergraduate, we find out what it’s like growing up in a result-oriented environment, and how he is using his artworks to create conversations close to our hearts.

How did you first discover your love for the arts?

It started way back in kindergarten. I remember my teacher instructing us to colour a Donald Duck picture. And because I loved Power Rangers, especially the green ranger, I decided to colour the whole thing green. When I brought it home, my mum was like “How can a Donald Duck be green?”. She ended up sending me to a community arts centre where I learned how to draw and paint, and the rest is history.