Impressions of Nature in Singapore with Mylène Viggers

Nestled amidst the tranquil Botanic Gardens in Singapore, a captivating artist named Mylène invites us to witness her artistic journey. With her trusty brushes and easel in hand, she breathes life into the scenic landscapes that unfold before her.

Today, we embark on an exploration of Mylène’s art, discovering the stories and emotions woven within her captivating works.

Get more details about our Conversation!

Could you present yourself in a few words?

Hello, my name is Mylène and I am a French artist living in Singapore. I work with oil paints and specialize in en plein-air (outdoor) painting: fighting the elements, observing the optimism and joy that surrounds me, in an enthusiastic pursuit to capture the beauty of nature on my canvas.

I regularly show my work in solo and collective exhibitions and share my passion with the local community through workshops in places filled with nature around Singapore.

What brought you to exhibit in Singapore?

I am keen to share my love for oil painting whilst immersed in nature as it seems to be a practice rarely experienced here in Singapore.

My paintings tend to speak for themselves. Therefore, exhibitions showcasing my work are the best means to communicate on such passion.

Of course, I am always more than happy to talk through my journeys in the jungle with my portable easel, brushes and knives!

How would you describe your artistic style?

I paint on the spot with energetic and stylized brush strokes, catching patterns of lights, shades and colours shifting before my eyes, rendering my “impressions” of the fleeting essence of the moment.

Applying deliciously thick oil paint, I endeavor through my bright paintings to communicate a sense of the abundance and exuberance of the tropical plants that grow profusely around us in Singapore.

If you are curious, you can see my work on my Instagram account @myleneviggersart.

What is your source of inspiration?

Nature is my muse! I am hugely inspired by the tropical blooms, foliage, trees and landscapes that surround me. Sometimes, when painting in the jungle with only the sound of cicadas and the breeze through the swaying palm fronds, it is difficult to believe that I am in the middle of the busy city of Singapore!

I am also inspired by my travels and my painting kit always follows me when discovering the beauty of South-East Asia.

Could you tell us about your on-going exhibition Impressions of Nature in Singapore?

The on-going exhibition Impressions of Nature in Singapore is a collaboration with my Singaporean artist friend Yuen Kum Cheong, bringing together our respective cultural heritage, art practice and painting mediums to express our shared love for the luxuriant greenery around us in Singapore.

Our twenty-four paintings represent a snippet of nature in Singapore through our eyes. Featuring various fascinating locations of greenery in the city state, we have put forward our impressions, shaped by our different backgrounds, memories and observations.

Impressions of Nature in Singapore contrasts KC’s deliberate studio paintings with my spontaneous outdoor paintings.

What would be one of the pieces you would like to put forward?

Each with our own styles and methods, KC and I painted HortPark, where we had the inspiration for our exhibition, with our sincerest thanks to the teams at each from NParks and Singapore National Arts Council.

Together, we have produced a centerpiece composed of four panels depicting the iconic HortLawn and Silver Garden. We alternatively painted two paintings each of the scene at different times of the day.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Please visit the exhibition Impressions of Nature in Singapore.

From 17 June until 13 July, prints of the original paintings will be shown at Jurong Lake Gardens.

From 14 July until 15 August, our twenty-four original paintings will be showcased at the Botanic Gardens (the Botany Centre) with prints at the other entrances to the park.