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In cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, people are often focused on making money, and they do not think art is important.
But for Singaporean artist Toby Tan, known as Tobyato, the fast pace of city life has inspired his art.
“Both Hong Kong and Singapore have that pressure, but it also breeds a very competitive ... creative environment. And I feel like that helps a lot of creatives,” the 32-year-old said.
“I personally feel that pressure works like a pressure cooker. With a bit of pressure, you cook faster, and you go a lot further. The ‘food’ that comes out is more tender and nicer.”
Tan is a key part of Singapore’s art scene. He has painted murals at home and abroad – even in cities like Paris and Los Angeles. He has also collaborated with global brands such as Nike, Asics and Samsung.
His works often mix modern fashion and cultural heritage. He hopes to draw in audiences with elements that are both relatable and surprising.
Sparking curiosity
Thanks to a collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board, Tan set up a booth at this year’s ComplexCon Hong Kong, a pop culture festival held last month. He brought a three-metre-tall Sneaker Stone Dragon to introduce to Hongkongers.
This piece blends sneaker culture with traditional Chinese guardian lions and a historical landmark in Singapore, the Dragon’s Teeth Gate.
By combining the traditional stone lion with the Dragon’s Teeth Gate, Tan hoped to welcome the young crowd at ComplexCon into Singapore.
“Traditionally, stone lions were placed in front of establishments to welcome people into spaces. We wanted to take that and merge it with the Dragon’s Teeth Gate, which historically welcomed people into Singapore,” he said.
By mixing the modern with the traditional, Tan hopes to inspire young people to learn more about history and culture.
On being a creative
To build his career, Tan said he had to find a balance between being practical while also making art that he was proud of.
“You understand what the industry wants, and you mix that with what you want to do. And when you fit within the overlap, you will naturally become relevant, and you will get projects to do,” the artist explained.
“As your work progresses ... which you naturally will if you work hard, parents will see the rewards.”
Besides these tips for success, Tan also pointed out that social media helped him make his work known.
“Social media is no longer just about showing the work; it’s about showing the person behind the work. The social element is incredibly important,” he explained.
“Through social media, I can reach out to people all around the world.”
Another part of his journey as an artist is building momentum.
“A lot of creators are ... afraid to start because they think their work isn’t good enough. But if you don’t start, you can’t build momentum. Just start, and you will eventually realise what works and what doesn’t,” he shared.
“Once you have that momentum, it’s harder to stop than it was to start.”
His advice for young people who want to become designers or artists is to start today, even if they do not see success right away.
“One thing that has kept me going is the belief that hard work will pay off, though not always immediately. If you keep at it and keep the momentum going, you’ll eventually get projects like this,” he said.
