无语无常无所畏 –《无语漫画个展》

A Retrospective of Wu Yu’s Comic Works

A Retrospective of Wu Yu’s Comic Works

About the Exhibition

A Retrospective of Wu Yu’s Comic Works. Wu Yu’s Comic Retrospective Exhibition honours the life and legacy of one of Singapore’s most prolific newspaper comic artists, Wu Yu (无语), whose career spans over five decades. The exhibition offers a rare glimpse into his creative evolution, showcasing works from his early years to his later, more introspective pieces that offered poignant reflections on life, mortality and resilience as he battled cancer. His distinctive style blends humor with social commentary, capturing both the light and dark aspects of life.

In addition to the exhibition, visitors can enjoy free programs such as a live musical performance, a comic workshop by cartoonist Chao, and a talk featuring local cartoonists, reflecting on their time in the “Comic Fast Food Team,” a youth cartooning collective founded by Wuyu in 1989. Hosted at the Visual Arts Centre, the exhibition highlights Wuyu’s lasting impact on Singapore’s comic culture.
Opening hours are from 11am to 8pm. Admission is free.

Weekend Programmes

  • A musical performance of songs with lyrics by Wu Yu (5 April Sat, 2:30pm – 3:30pm)
  • Panel talk with local cartoonists and former members of Comics Fast Food, Foo Swee Chin (FSc), Cai Weiye, and Chao (@doodlesinabox). They will share their memories of Comics Fast Food, a youth cartooning collective founded by Wu Yu in 1989.
  • Talk: Wu Yu and I – A talk by local cartoonist Chao about his friendship with veteran cartoonist Wu Yu and how he came to organise this exhibition.

展览简介

本地资深漫画家无语的个人漫画回顾展将于4月3日至7日在视觉艺术中心（Visual Arts Centre）举行。展览主题为“无语无常无所畏”，将全面呈现无语五十年来的漫画创作历程，展示其独特的画风及多元题材、多元形式的作品。内容包括单格漫画、四格漫画、多格漫画、短篇连环画以及一文一图的组合，探索了漫画艺术表现的无限可能。每一幅作品都是无语对生活与人性的细腻观察与诠释，后期作品更融入了他面对癌症病痛的人生感悟，映照他如何以乐观态度面对人生挑战，以作品传递勇气与希望。

除了展出漫画作品外，周末还将举行一系列活动，包括歌唱表演，演无语作词的歌曲、漫画人王朝弘的漫画讲座及学生漫画团体“漫画快餐队”前成员萤火虫、麦田圈君和王朝弘的分享会。展览开放时间为早上11点至晚上8点。

展览周末特别活动

  • 音乐演出：无语除了漫画，也很爱音乐。诚挚邀请大家来欣赏一场小小音乐会，聆听无语写词的原创歌曲。（4月5日 星期六 下午2.30-3.30）
  • 漫画人分享会：“漫画快餐忆当年” – 无语于1989年在《联合早报》发起“漫画快餐队”，快餐队成员萤火虫、麦田圈君等，回顾当年的创作经历，以及无语对他们的影响。（4月5日 星期六 下午4:00-5:00）
  • 漫画座谈：“无语与我” – 前漫画快餐队员王朝弘将分享他的漫画创作心得，以及过去两年与无语多次交谈的点滴。（4月6日 星期天 下午2:30-3:30）
Multipanel Comic 连环漫画
酷酷图 - 不屈服 Unyielding

About Wuyu

Wu Yu, a local cartoonist born in 1958, has worked as an editor and reporter for New Generation, Lianhe Zaobao, and Friday Weekly. He loved doodling as a child, and published his first piece of comic in Nanyang Siang Pau in 1973. He became actively involved in cartoon activities starting from university, joining the student cartoon group “Comic Bao”. Later, while working at Lianhe Zaobao, he founded “Comic Fast Food,” another cartoon collective that has nurtured many talented cartoonists and illustrators who remain active to this day. Over the past 50 years, Wu Yu has published ten comic and illustrated columns in various newspapers. His comic works covered a broad range of subjects, including office culture, social issues, and popular trends, often combining humor with social commentary.

Despite battling cancer from 2012 onwards, Wu Yu continued to create, turning his personal struggles into art. His later works, such as Singing into the Pain, reflect his deep reflections on life and mortality. In 2022, after a second cancer diagnosis, Wu Yu focused on compiling and publishing his past works, including a memoir on his 50-year career, My Life is a Comic. Wu Yu’s legacy as a prolific and diverse comic artist, as well as his mentorship to younger artists, has cemented his place in Singapore’s comic history.

关于无语

无语，本地漫画人，1958年生，曾任职《新一代》、《联合早报》（副刊）、《星期5周报》编辑、记者，自小喜欢涂鸦，1973年第一幅作品刊登在当年的《南洋商报》，后来从大学开始积极参与漫画活动，加入当年的学生漫画团体 “漫画包” ，后来在报馆工作期间还创立了 “漫画快餐” ，孕育好些漫画好手 。50多年来，无语也一直创作华文漫画，前后在早晚报、《我报》发表过10个漫画、图文专栏，例如：《文虫传》、《阿政滚红尘》、《有点那个》、《无语录》、《朝九晚五》、《酷酷图》等，以及一个文字专栏《再见五脚基》，结集出版过七本书。

尽管自2012年起与癌症抗争，无语依然坚持创作，将自己的病痛与人生感悟融入作品中。2022年，经历第二次癌症诊断后，无语将过去的作品整理成书，并出版了创作回忆录《我的生活很漫画》。无语以其多产且多元的创作风格，及对年轻漫画人的培养，巩固了他在新加坡华文漫画史上的重要地位。

From The Silent Chronicles 选自无语录
From Nine to Five 选自朝九晚五

Press Interview:

无常无畏办漫画展　无语交出人生成绩单

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/lifestyle/gen/story20250327-6066849

Exhibition Details

Exhibition Dates and Opening Hours
3 April – 7 April 2025, 11am-8pm
FREE ADMISSION

Opening Event (by invitation)
3 April, 7pm-9pm

Venue
Visual Arts Centre
10 Penang Road, #01-02, Dhoby Ghaut Green, Singapore 238469

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Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage
Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”
World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]
A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.
Academy Drawing Traditions
The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.
Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy
This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.
Funk with Graffiti
Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.
Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.

Agree Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions – Neon Glow Art Jamming & Colour Blast Party (Saturday Sessions Only)

  1. Participation
    • Participation in the Neon Glow Art Jamming & Colour Blast Party is voluntary. By participating, all participants acknowledge that they understand and accept the nature of the activities and agree to participate at their own risk.
  2. Health & Safety
    • The event takes place in an outdoor festival environment featuring bright lighting effects, flashing lights, amplified music, and high sound levels, which may not be suitable for individuals who are sensitive to light, sound, or have related medical conditions.
    • Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are medically fit to participate in the activities.
  3. Colour Blast Party
    • The Colour Blast Party uses coloured cornflour powder.
    • By participating in the Colour Blast Party, participants confirm that they:
      • Do not have any known allergy or sensitivity to cornflour, corn, coloured powder, or similar materials.
      • Do not suffer from asthma, respiratory conditions, or any medical condition that may be aggravated by airborne powder.
      • Understand the nature of the activity and voluntarily choose to participate.
  4. Face & Body Painting
    • Optional face and/or body painting may be available during the event.
    • Participants choosing to receive face or body painting confirm that they have no known allergies or skin conditions that may be affected by cosmetic or body paint products. Participants with sensitive skin are advised to refrain from participating.
  5. Assumption of Risk
    • Participants acknowledge that participation in the event, including but not limited to art jamming, the Colour Blast Party, face and/or body painting, and related activities, carries inherent risks, including accidental slips, falls, minor injuries, allergic reactions, respiratory irritation, or other unforeseen incidents.
  6. Indemnity and Release
    • By participating in the event, participants agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to release, discharge, and indemnify Visual Arts Centre, CHIJMES, their respective officers, employees, volunteers, contractors, sponsors, partners, and representatives from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, expenses, injuries, or actions arising out of or in connection with participation in the event, except where such claims arise directly from the negligence or wilful misconduct of the organisers.
  7. Personal Responsibility
    • Participants are responsible for their own personal belongings and should exercise reasonable care while participating. Appropriate clothing and footwear suitable for an outdoor event are recommended.
  8. Organiser's Rights
    • Visual Arts Centre and CHIJMES reserve the right to refuse participation or remove any participant whose behaviour is deemed unsafe, disruptive, or poses a risk to others. The organisers also reserve the right to modify, postpone, suspend, or cancel the event due to weather, safety concerns, or unforeseen circumstances.

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Terms & Conditions For All Course/Workshop(s) at Visual Arts Centre (VAC):