Men With Style: Alvin Tan, Artist, Designer, And Co-founder Of PHUNK
The Singaporean artist lets us in on his creative mind, proudest work, and dream collaboration.
Alvin Tan creates works in different mediums using an approach called ‘Fragments Of’ as he believes that a combination of ideas and people elevates a creation; fragments form a whole, which is greater than the sum of its parts. The 49-year-old creative maverick—who describes his personal style as “streetchic with an occasional jolt of overkill”—constantly challenges the concept of art and design. As for what he stands for, he quotes Yoda, Stars Wars’ little green guru: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
ARTISTS AT WORK
“Main Offender” by Keith Richards vinyl, $42, Amazon.sg
“There isn’t a particular artist I look up to, but any creatives who are still honing their craft, regardless of age, are truly respectable. Peter Saville, Olafur Eliasson, Rei Kawakubo, Keith Richards are a few.”
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DREAM WORKS
The Oscar Niemeyer Museum in Brazil
“In a perfect world, I’d love to work with late Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer on a sculptural project. I love his futurist vision, use of freeform lines and unconventional shapes.”
PRIZED POSSESSION
Tan in his wedding get-up
“An embroidered floral jacket I wore for my wedding by Thai label Fri 27 Nov. is a definite wardrobe treasure. I love it because of its intricacy and graphic appeal; it’s like an artwork on its own, a tapestry of sorts.”
TRANSFORMERS
Voltron: Defender of the Universe, The Complete Series, Amazon.sg
“I grew up watching Japanese robot anime, especially Macross and Voltron, and I’ve always admired the creators behind them. Their imagination and creativity in dreaming up these mechanical shapeshifters still amazes me today.”
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GREAT MINDS
Undercover menswear fall/winter 2021
“Undercover’s Jun Takahashi is a fashion favourite—eclectic, distressed cut and sew, and his use of colours with prominent black silhouettes. I resonate a lot with his pop culture references of Joy Division, David Lynch, and his work with Dieter Rams. He recently started painting as well, so I’m excited to see his foray into contemporary arts.”
OVERJOYED
Here is SG by PHUNK
“My proudest work is a public art sculpture resting at the promenade of Marina Bay Sands called Here Is SG. This is the largest sculpture project I’ve taken on so far. Other than artistic direction, my personal achievement was taking on the build of the sculpture, which I enjoyed a lot.”
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PARTY OF THREE
“My dreamed-up New Year’s meal companions would include comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Conan O’Brien. We’ll have mala hotpot at Hai Di Lao, and watch the restaurant’s famous noodleman perform. Whatever happens next, I’ll have no clue, but I’m sure it’ll be a fun and entertaining meal.”
IN PARTNERSHIP
Sneaker, $2,645, Converse x Off-White at Farfetch
“A favourite collaboration would be Off-White’s Virgil Abloh and Nike’s ‘The Ten’ project interpreted with two concepts—Revealing & Ghosting. I loved his Converse Chuck Taylor where he used translucent materials to layer the entire shoe so that you can see the construction within. The typographical approach to his work resonates as I’m a typeface geek.”