Girl in Pigtails

A Journey into Artistic Imagination with

Dao

Creativity knows no limits. Drawn from this ethos, "Beyond The Canvas” transcends boundaries in a unique showcase of six local artists’ talents and visions. The Perfect Bound Customised Notebook isn’t merely a product, but a tribute to the individual artist’s creative flair and personal expression. Each notebook becomes a canvas on which their works come to life, offering a window into the imaginative worlds of these remarkable creators.

Through our conversation with Dao, we uncovered the inspirations that shape his unique artistic vision, from his early fascination with anime to his experiences observing life in cafés. His line work beautifully captures the essence of fleeting moments and emotions, inviting viewers to connect with the simplicity and beauty of everyday life. Explore how his journey as an illustrator intertwines with his artistic evolution, and discover the heartfelt narrative behind his piece for Bynd Artisan's “Beyond The Canvas” collection.

Hi Calvin. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us and being part of the “Beyond The Canvas” artist showcase. For readers who are not yet familiar with you and your work, could you give us a short self-introduction?
I’m Dao. A lot of people know me by that nickname, but you can also call me Calvin. I am relatively young as an illustrator. I started illustration a couple of years back during the lockdown. I had won an iPad Pro through a competition and started to make use of every opportunity I could to draw.

It first started when I was café hopping. At the time, there were social distancing measures, so I often sat in a corner to observe what people wore and what they did in their personal bubbles. It was nice to people-watch and draw them. I thought it was a better way to document those moments than just photographing them. So, I employed very simple line work to make these drawings.

Personally, I am influenced a lot by Taiwanese and Japanese illustrations and illustrators. I love how minimalistic their line work is — simple yet expressive. I thought that would be a very good way for me to document things quickly in an outdoor or café setting, so that’s how my style eventually came to be.

How does art resonate with you on a personal level?
When I am illustrating, I feel very relaxed. I find it therapeutic, especially when I can successfully render a nice line work or a curve. You might be surprised, but even very simple line work sometimes requires repeated attempts to perfect, and there’s a certain finesse to it. As I am also a working adult, I try to inject a sense of whimsicality into my work. It serves as a form of escapism for me, allowing me to create something that exists away from reality, within my imagination. It has been very satisfying and therapeutic for me.

What inspired you to pursue art in this field, and what insights have you gained about yourself along the way?
I realised I have been inclined towards the arts from a very young age. I remember watching a lot of anime and cartoons on TV, and I always enjoyed drawing anime eyes — those big, watery-looking eyes. Anime and manga artists used organic abstract shapes to create those eyes, which inspired me to try replicating and practising drawing them. Doodling has always been a part of me, and then I started studying art at university. That exposed me to many different genres of art. Eventually, I found myself more drawn towards the minimalistic style of illustration that is prevalent in Taiwan, Japan and Korea. I thought this would be a good way for me to express my imagination.

What I find really challenging is capturing the essence of a person with just very simple black-and-white lines, while reducing the amount of detail. Throughout this journey, I’ve discovered that I like to experiment, and move on to new things. I resonate with some established musical artists who go through different “eras” in their careers. They use these eras to experiment and evolve into new shapes, forms, concepts, styles and genres. I realise I am also moving in that direction to grow.

Can you tell us about the piece you created for Bynd Artisan’s “10 Years and Beyond” and what it means?
This piece I created for Bynd Artisan, “Girl in Pigtails”, is a cute depiction of Jalan Merah Saga, where the Bynd Artisan flagship store is located. There, a larger-than-life little girl sits on the exact spot where the store is. During the initial stage of this project, I did some research to better understand the brand. The team took me through the space, and showed me some artefacts from the past, including typewritten letters and photographs. I found these letters from the past to be quite inspiring; they carry a certain spirit that reminds us and future generations of the work done in the past. These artefacts have a romantic quality, and should definitely be valued, maintained and kept close to our hearts.

One photo that really stood out to me featured a young Winnie (Bynd Artisan’s co-founder) sitting at her father’s desk in pigtails. I thought she had a very determined look in her eyes. I aimed to capture her childlike wonder, depicting her looking up at the sky with a sense of optimism.

In what ways do you hope your artworks, particularly the “10 Years and Beyond” piece, will resonate with those who encounter them?
This piece serves as a reminder to customers and friends of Bynd Artisan that this beloved local brand has been passed down through generations, with many more to come. I hope it will also evoke memories of the audience’s younger selves and the aspirations they once held — aspirations untainted by worries or material needs, reflecting life’s simplest joys that can be pursued without concern.

Discover more insights and inspirations from the other artists featured in the Beyond The Canvas collection, and view the full collection here.

Girl in Pigtails

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