Courses / Artwriting Workshop

Suitable for: Artists, Students and Adults who are seeking deeper appreciation of art

Contemporary art is often deemed difficult to understand. It is like a foreign language to some people. This makes the job of the person who writes about it challenging but also especially important. Artwriting can be seen as a process of translation -- of making complex ideas and issues, not so much simpler, but more accessible. Even if you don’t plan to become a professional art historian, critic or curator, there is a lot to learn about the very important skills of creative and critical thinking by trying your hand at artwriting.

In the workshop, participants will research art in general and local art in particular, and discuss their thoughts and interpretations. In the process, participants will learn more about contemporary art, but will also improve their writing and visual literacy skills (ie. their ability to interpret and analyse visual information and communications).

Participants will be expected to write one article for the workshop. The workshop comprises three sessions, of two hours each. The first two sessions take place over consecutive weeks, then there is a period of one month for participants to research and write, after which the group reconvenes to discuss their articles.

Lee Weng Choy is an art critic and artistic co-director of The Substation. His essays have been published widely in Asia, Australia, Europe and the US, in magazines, books, and exhibition catalogues. He has conducted several writing workshops, and is regularly invited to speak at international conferences.