WHILE the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh lived a troubled and fleeting life, how he interpreted what he saw on canvas has resulted in vivid interpretations that continue to this day.
Van Gogh grew up in a family of adequate means, but found his early years to be lonely and troubled; a twisting thread of rejection, religion, illness, poverty and frustration ensued that took him from his home to various places in Europe. His troubled life journey ended at the age of 37, following a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest, which led to a slow death 30 hours later.
In a prolific decade, from 1880 to 1890, Van Gogh created more than 1,500 works of art, among them the famous olive trees, wheat fields, sunflowers, potato eaters, portraits, inspirations from Japanese ukiyo-e woodblocks and The Starry Night.
While van Gogh lived a life without fame, his works are now framed and displayed in museums, sought after by collectors, and are major draws at exhibitions. Van Gogh’s are among the most expensive paintings in the world, with several changing hands for over US$100 million.
Considered the greatest of the Post-Impressionists, his works have also benefitted from technology, finding a strong voice globally for various causes — from education to mental health and, of course, art.
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience makes its Southeast Asian Debut at the Forum, Resorts World Sentosa. It’s a captivating display of the Dutch artist’s works presented in a variety of forms, making the most of the latest in technology. The moving images and immersive room experiences can keep you engaged for a good two hours or more.
Natalie Hong, the Exhibition Director, explains the process of putting this show together. Award-winning chef and dessert specialist Janice Wong has also whipped up some van Gogh related confectionery.
Tickets for Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience are priced from $15 (children) to $24 (adults). More information at www.vangoghexpo.com/singapore
