Ian de Souza: Clear Light

THE PRIVATE MUSEUM (TPM) SINGAPORE is delighted to present CLEAR LIGHT BY AUSTRALIAN ARTIST, Ian de SOUZA. The exhibition marks the artist’s homecoming debut in SINGAPORE and will run from 10 October 2019 to 8 December 2019.Clear Light is an exhibition that, on one level, spotlights an artist returning to his land and heritage. On another level, it embodies a man coming home to his self. Considering that all visual experiences start with light, Clear Light offers an experience of a new beginning marked by clarity. Says Ian, “Just let it be and feel it.” Born in 1939 in then-Malaya, de Souza grew up in a period of turbulence, where he spent his childhood in Singapore under colonial British rule and the Japanese occupation before moving to New South Wales, Australia. He briefly studied to be a Redemptorist missionary priest and went on to study art at Perth Technical College. Through the 1960s and 70s, he toured the world widely as a musician, performed alongside pop music icons such as the Bee Gees, before transitioning into a full-time artist in 1980. Clear Light is a response to de Souza’s lifelong pursuit of passion, knowledge and technical mastery, and the realization that comes from years of thoughtful introspection. In this homecoming exhibition, visitors will get to experience his latest series of works - abstract ink paintings - which embody the artist’s contemplation on his Eastern heritage, spirituality and harmony.