PAINTING
After almost 40 years as one of Singapore's most recognisable buskers, Roy began painting seriously at the age of 58, after street performance was paused for two years due to the global pandemic. Self-taught, his paintings are raw, intuitive, and emotional, conveying an inimitable, honest sense of humanity ringing with both playful naivety and deep emotion that characterise his performance practice.
In his visual practice, he is tickled by the vernacular right at his doorstep — from animals seen in his neighbourhood, to moments in his and loved ones' lives. Some of his paintings reflect a lifelong cosmic affinity with clowning, while others explore mental states and freedom. A serious practitioner of pareidolia, Roy perceives forms in public spaces and found objects to develop paintings. Conversely, he begins paintings with wild movements before interpreting meaningful shapes and patterns in them as the work locates him.
An outsider poet with a deep love for words and etymology, naming work is an important step in his process. His titles often have his characteristic styles of verse or wordplay that inscribe the work as living within his unique cosmos.
- Salty Xi Jie Ng, artist/curator, SpaceLoLo studio
Available for sale internationally. All prices in Singapore dollars. More details here.
Select prints available as well. Get in touch.
In his visual practice, he is tickled by the vernacular right at his doorstep — from animals seen in his neighbourhood, to moments in his and loved ones' lives. Some of his paintings reflect a lifelong cosmic affinity with clowning, while others explore mental states and freedom. A serious practitioner of pareidolia, Roy perceives forms in public spaces and found objects to develop paintings. Conversely, he begins paintings with wild movements before interpreting meaningful shapes and patterns in them as the work locates him.
An outsider poet with a deep love for words and etymology, naming work is an important step in his process. His titles often have his characteristic styles of verse or wordplay that inscribe the work as living within his unique cosmos.
- Salty Xi Jie Ng, artist/curator, SpaceLoLo studio
Available for sale internationally. All prices in Singapore dollars. More details here.
Select prints available as well. Get in touch.
Copyright Roy Payamal 2022
