Six Brushstrokes, Singapore Overview

One of the last works of Roy Lichtenstein, 'Six Brushstrokes' is an artwork made of aluminium sculpture that infuses Chinese calligraphic traditions and western bebop that portray abstract illusions of nature, seashores and land, thereby completing Lichtenstein's wish to display his art in Singapore. These post-industrial themed artworks are commissioned explicitly at Millennia Walk, Singapore. Six Brushstrokes was authorised in 1996. These six different pieces of aluminium sculptures are at a distance of four to twelve meters. Each of the six sculptures is a perfect manifestation of Chinese and Western culture.

First invented in Rhode Island, Bristol and later built at the Roy Lichtenstein Sculpture Plaza, near the Millenia Walk, Singapore, the six brushstrokes series is considered as a satirical parody of gesturalism. Roy Lichtenstein later engulfed these series of artworks into ideas and themes of his work. These figures are vibrantly coloured, have a very defined black outline and are peculiar to Lichtenstein's masterpieces. Inspired by the outdoor civic art in the grand tradition of Picasso, Roy's works were also a manifested example of the same. However, these art installations were flown to Singapore just months before Roy's last days. An ode to ending his life as an artist and his monumental achievements, the Six Brushstrokes stand in all their glory, thereby, portraying a perfect blend of Chinese and Western calligraphic traditions and a plain, careless brushstroke.

Roy Lichtenstein

Since early 1960's, Lichtenstein had been replicating masterpieces of Cézane, Mondrian and Picasso much before landing on the brushstroke series in 1965. Parallel to abstract paintings which did not comply with gesturalism, the Brushstrokes were existing at the same time as them, with unrestrained fashions of interpretation. Much before creating his initial works of Brushstrokes, Roy's work revolved around Abstract Expressionism. Roy intended to create artworks that depicted dripping paint and highlight the defined brush strokes. Much later, years after his series was finished, Lichtenstein stated that his main source of inspiration was rooted in the Renaissance artist Frans Hals, whose artistry of brushstrokes were results of European art.

How To Reach Six Brushstrokes

The 'Six Brushstrokes' artwork is located at the Millenia Walk. To reach Millenia Walk, the nearest bus stop is B02089, and buses 961#, 961#, 75, 77, 171, 960, 36, 56, 97E, 97, 107M and 195 will take you there. The nearest MRT Station is the Promenade MRT Station that lies at a distance of 2 minutes from the destination if alighted at Exit A.