Introduction

Southeast Asia is a vast and diverse region, comprising the countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The region is home to some of the world’s most beautiful islands and beaches as well as unique wildlife. But what really makes Southeast Asia special is its rich culture. This diversity can be seen in everything from its food to art: every country has its own distinct cuisine that reflects its history and culture.

“I really wanted to get into an art school when I was growing up,” says Singaporean artist Tereza de Marchi (b. 1975). “But my parents didn’t have money to send me and I was too late to apply.”

A self-taught artist in every sense of the word, de Marchi’s work has been described as “mystical” and “dreamlike.” Yet she didn’t always have such an artistic bent.

As a child growing up in Singapore, de Marchi says she was more interested in sports than art–until one day when she stumbled upon a painting class at her local community center. “I really wanted to get into an art school when I was growing up,” says de Marchi (b. 1975). “But my parents didn’t have money to send me and I was too late to apply.” With no other options available, she went on with life as usual until one day when she found herself drawn back into this mysterious world of color and shape:

When she was 18, however, de Marchi did manage to enroll at the National University of Singapore’s Theater Studies department. The experience was revelatory.

When she was 18, however, de Marchi did manage to enroll at the National University of Singapore’s Theater Studies department. The experience was revelatory.

It was life-changing–a turning point in her life and career as an artist. It led her on a journey of self-discovery that became a catalyst for change and revelation.

“It was like being born again,” she recalls. “I found a sense of myself that I never knew existed.”

“It was like being born again,” she recalls. “I found a sense of myself that I never knew existed.”

The experience was revelatory; she won 1st prize in the Lim Kim San Art Competition and took part in another biennial exhibition, this time with her work on display alongside other winners and nominees from around Asia.

A few years later, in 2002, de Marchi was awarded 1st prize in the Lim Kim San Art Competition, which led to her participation in the inaugural Singapore Biennale in 2003.

A few years later, in 2002, de Marchi was awarded 1st prize in the Lim Kim San Art Competition, which led to her participation in the inaugural Singapore Biennale in 2003. The biennial exhibition took place at the National Museum of Singapore and featured works from artists from all over Asia. The event was curated by artist Ho Tzu Nyen and art historian Teh Yee Kuan; it sought to explore “how artists engage with their local context while remaining open to global influences.”

In 2007, she took part in another biennial exhibition — this time at Nottingham Contemporary as part of Nottingham UK City of Culture 2007 program.

In 2007, she took part in another biennial exhibition — this time at Nottingham Contemporary as part of Nottingham UK City of Culture 2007 program. The exhibition was a huge success and brought together artists from all over the world to showcase their work. It was also the first time an Asian artist had been invited to exhibit in the UK; de Marchi was given the opportunity to showcase her work alongside some of Asia’s most celebrated artists. The exhibition gave the UK an insight into how different cultures view art differently, while also providing them with a greater understanding of what goes on beyond their borders.

Conclusion

In her work, de Marchi explores themes of identity and migration. Her art is both autobiographical and universal — drawing on the experiences of other migrants as well as herself. She has been invited to exhibit in galleries around the world, including Paris, London and New York City

356 Tripping into the Heart of Asia

Introduction

Southeast Asia is a vast and diverse region, comprising the countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The region is home to some of the world’s most beautiful islands and beaches as well as unique wildlife. But what really makes Southeast Asia special is its rich culture. This diversity can be seen in everything from its food to art: every country has its own distinct cuisine that reflects its history and culture.

“I really wanted to get into an art school when I was growing up,” says Singaporean artist Tereza de Marchi (b. 1975). “But my parents didn’t have money to send me and I was too late to apply.”

A self-taught artist in every sense of the word, de Marchi’s work has been described as “mystical” and “dreamlike.” Yet she didn’t always have such an artistic bent.

As a child growing up in Singapore, de Marchi says she was more interested in sports than art–until one day when she stumbled upon a painting class at her local community center. “I really wanted to get into an art school when I was growing up,” says de Marchi (b. 1975). “But my parents didn’t have money to send me and I was too late to apply.” With no other options available, she went on with life as usual until one day when she found herself drawn back into this mysterious world of color and shape:

When she was 18, however, de Marchi did manage to enroll at the National University of Singapore’s Theater Studies department. The experience was revelatory.

When she was 18, however, de Marchi did manage to enroll at the National University of Singapore’s Theater Studies department. The experience was revelatory.

It was life-changing–a turning point in her life and career as an artist. It led her on a journey of self-discovery that became a catalyst for change and revelation.

“It was like being born again,” she recalls. “I found a sense of myself that I never knew existed.”

“It was like being born again,” she recalls. “I found a sense of myself that I never knew existed.”

The experience was revelatory; she won 1st prize in the Lim Kim San Art Competition and took part in another biennial exhibition, this time with her work on display alongside other winners and nominees from around Asia.

A few years later, in 2002, de Marchi was awarded 1st prize in the Lim Kim San Art Competition, which led to her participation in the inaugural Singapore Biennale in 2003.

A few years later, in 2002, de Marchi was awarded 1st prize in the Lim Kim San Art Competition, which led to her participation in the inaugural Singapore Biennale in 2003. The biennial exhibition took place at the National Museum of Singapore and featured works from artists from all over Asia. The event was curated by artist Ho Tzu Nyen and art historian Teh Yee Kuan; it sought to explore “how artists engage with their local context while remaining open to global influences.”

In 2007, she took part in another biennial exhibition — this time at Nottingham Contemporary as part of Nottingham UK City of Culture 2007 program.

In 2007, she took part in another biennial exhibition — this time at Nottingham Contemporary as part of Nottingham UK City of Culture 2007 program. The exhibition was a huge success and brought together artists from all over the world to showcase their work. It was also the first time an Asian artist had been invited to exhibit in the UK; de Marchi was given the opportunity to showcase her work alongside some of Asia’s most celebrated artists. The exhibition gave the UK an insight into how different cultures view art differently, while also providing them with a greater understanding of what goes on beyond their borders.

Conclusion

In her work, de Marchi explores themes of identity and migration. Her art is both autobiographical and universal — drawing on the experiences of other migrants as well as herself. She has been invited to exhibit in galleries around the world, including Paris, London and New York City