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Who: Jahan Loh (right) What: A 1,100 sq ft studio in Jalan Tenteram

THE STRAITS TIMES SATURDAY, MAY 5 2012 PAGE E9

Full-length curtains separate the work and chill-out areas at Jahan Lohs studio (above), which is peppered with quirky furnishings such as a display unit for curry puffs and a 1950s coffee-shop chair. PHOTOS: MIKE LEE FOR THE STRAITS TIMES Sliding glass doors add an airy, open feel to Jessie Lims studio (right), and lead to a workshop where she conducts classes. PHOTOS: MIKE LEE FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

Visual artist Loh, 35, has a knack for turning to unorthodox places when it comes to furniture hunting. Just look at his 1,100 sq ft studio in an industrial building in Jalan Tenteram near Whampoa. The seating area of his studio has an eclectic range of furnishings including a curry puff counter, a 1950s coffee-shop chair and sleek Eames seats. The display unit, bought from a second-hand kitchen appliance shop, houses his shoe designs and art toys. Loh says: I love looking for second-hand furniture in unusual places as I do not like to have pieces other people have. Creating a cosy and laidback feel in the rest area helps Loh to unwind from his work schedule, which can stretch for up to 12 hours a day. Besides relaxing here, he finds it a good place to hold meetings with clients. He says: Most visitors are surprised to find that the interior of my studio is not as cold and industrial as it looks from the outside. The cushy surroundings are a hit with his friends. They love the chill-out environment so much that they can hang out here up to three times a week, and even bring drinks whenever they visit. Loh spent around $8,000 on renova-

Star Wars memorabilia (above) dot the shelves in this part of Lohs studio and serve as inspiration for his pop culture-based works.
tion works, which include adding wall partitions to carve up a storeroom. He also has full-length curtains to conceal his rest area when he is busy painting at his work area. He brought this concept from his studio in Taipei, where he was based for eight years. He says: With this partition, it is easy to switch between mindsets when I am working and relaxing, so it helps me to focus on my work better.

On the move: Visual artist Michael Lee (left) moves his artworks around his studio to get a feel of how they will look like in an exhibition. PHOTO: DIOS VINCOY JR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

Who: Jessie Lim What: A 1,500 sq ft studio in Sin Ming Lane In the case of ceramic artist Lim, 58, her studio is not just for creation but a reflection on how far she has come. Her entire collection of intricately crafted works is on display for the first time in her 26-year-old career, in the gallery of her studio. It occupies one-third of her studio in a light industrial complex, Midview City in Sin Ming Lane, off Upper Thomson Road, which she bought for around $450,000. She moved there last year from her previous location at the Jalan Bahar clay studios, where she was based for a year. On view are more than 100 vases, plates, bowls and sculptures. Lim says: I feel happy that I can see my works in one go as it also allows me to track my development as an artist. The gallery also serves as a three-dimensional catalogue for her works, which were previously scattered around her home off Upper Paya Lebar Road. Displaying my works properly is a better representation of how they will look as exhibits when they are loaned out to galleries. Lim spent around $15,000 on renovations, which include building a wall partition to carve up an office Who: Michael Lee What: A 775 sq ft studio at Goodman Arts Centre The 39-year-old visual artist had a shoestring renovation budget of $4,000 when he moved to his studio last June and relished the challenge. The bachelor says: I am a firm believer that using expensive materials does not necessarily translate to a more tastefully designed space. This explains why the place looks similar to its original form an old classroom at the former Lasalle College of the Arts. Rent at the arts enclave, which was refurbished last year, is subsidised by the National Arts Council. A retro vibe still lingers in the room, which has circular wall impressions. Complementing the design is the rawness of the off-white walls and the cement flooring. Lee coated this with a layer of epoxy to create a smooth texture. I favour a down-to-earth and industrial look, which requires minimal maintenance. A wall partition keeps his art materials and tools from sight. He also managed to squeeze in a double-decker bed in the crammed area, where he takes a break from his work. The partitions oblique orientation also creates a visual path guiding visitors towards a window (above right), where a blind doubles as a projector

(above) and reception area. The partition is in an eye-pleasing blue, which complements white sections of the surrounding walls. Parquet flooring injects a homely touch to the air-conditioned space. Lim, who teaches part-time at the School of the Arts, also holds three pottery classes a week in the workshop section of her studio. It houses machinery such as potters wheels, which are used for shaping ceramic wares, slab rollers, tables and shelves containing clay and glazing materials as well as her students ceramics works. There is also a toilet and shower so Lim can freshen up after up to nine hours toiling in her studio.

PHOTO: KENNETH GOH

screen for his installations. Scattered throughout his studio are his art installations, ranging from framed photographs to an arresting circular light box with monochromatic prints. These art pieces do not take up permanent positions. He says: Like in life, nothing is permanent. I play around with the positioning of my artworks once a month, so that I can have a feel of how they look like in an exhibition.

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