Geri Koh is a coloured pencils artist based in Singapore. She started her career as a graphic designer and is now a full-time artist. Her works mainly revolve around animals and subjects of nostalgia. Some of her works are part of the permanent collection at Ngee Ann Cultural Centre.

Qn. What was the driving force behind your switch from Graphic Design to Fine Arts?

My passion has always been Fine Arts. Unfortunately in the past, Fine Arts had the negative connotation that it did not provide a stable rice bowl. This is a key pillar of my generation’s cultural values. Since Graphic Design was a type of art, I decided to go with that first.

After working as a Graphic Designer more than 20 years, I found myself feeling less-than inspired by the work I was doing because after a while, my clientele became similar so I felt that I was always producing the same works. I longed to harness my creative side.

Moreover, the rapid rate of digital transformation provided an additional challenge for me. New software and design tools were constantly being released and I found it difficult to keep up. 

Hence, I decided to make the switch. Today, I earn a living through commission artworks, teaching art classes, etc.

Qn. Over the course of your art journey, you have experimented with several mediums. Some of which include graphite pencil, coloured pencils, watercolour and gouache, mixed media, oil, acrylic, crochet. Why is coloured pencils your favourite medium?

When I was about 8 years old, my godmother gifted me a 24-set Colleen coloured pencils. I discovered my passion then. 

I like colour pencils because they are very easy to handle. It is clean, convenient and easy to store. You do not have to wash and bear the other tidying up responsibilities that come with other mediums.

Qn. Do you look up to any artists?

I am fond of American Master artists, namely Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth. Edward Hopper’s works, such as the Nighthawks, are very solitary. Andrew Wyeth’s works, like Christina’s World, are quiet yet you can feel a bit of tension. I admire the execution in their artworks. 

My artworks are almost realistic, but not hyper-realism. 

Qn. What is your main challenge at the moment?

I think that a lot of artists, after they have been doing art for a long time, experienced artists’ block. They are unsure of which direction their art should go. 

At the moment I think that, because maybe I have been too comfortable with my style for too long, I am brainstorming on how to break out of that a little bit but still maintain that style. So something that I have been playing with. 

Recently in the Pameran Poskad Exhibition 2022, I experimented with animals drawn in coloured pencil with a pattern background of mixed media. It consists of realistic drawings of animals with a semi-abstract background. 

Qn. I understand that you have won some awards in competitions for your artworks. Tell me more. 

I won a merit award at the inaugural Singapore Telecom’s Expression of Art Competition. I won first runner up at the inaugural Colour Of The Bible Art Competition too.

Since 2017, I have been participating in the Annual Ngee Ann Teochew National Artist Exhibition. In fact, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre has acquired 3 of my artworks for their permanent collection.

Qn. Any advice for other emerging artists?

To be honest, it is not easy being an artist in Singapore as there is little support and recognition for local artists. Thus, artists become disillusioned with their art after a while. However, do not give up your passion. Hang in there. 

Stay tuned for her future exhibitions/events in 2023.

Check out our Facebook page: MeetArts Marketplace for all of Geri's work available for purchase.