Renowned pop art master Charles Fazzino is back with a stunning new collection to celebrate Singapore’s 60th anniversary.
Hosted by Bruno Gallery, his latest series, ‘The Unbelievable Island of Singapore at 60,’ is available as a limited-edition run of 120 pieces in either a ‘Day’ or ‘Night’ version.
Pictures will try but never do his art justice
Charles Fazzino’s art, with its vibrant colours and multi-layered illustrations, demands to be experienced in person. The sheer size of his work, combined with intricate layers and playful colours, creates an immersive, almost tactile experience that a photograph or even a video can never replicate.
His new series features Singapore in all its glory, with both ‘Day’ and ‘Night’ versions of the island. The daytime scene is a bustling metropolis filled with bright colours, while the nighttime version transforms the city into a celebratory landscape adorned with spotlights and fireworks.
I spent a long time staring at both pieces, examining every detail and trying to unravel the stories behind each Swarovski-embellished building, vehicle, and person. It’s so easy to get lost in each artwork, and that single viewing experience left me wanting more.
Body of work
Pieces like his “Monochromatically Midnight in Paris”, a follow up to 3D pop art “Midnight in Manhattan”, is massive and layered with so many details that it’s easy to understand the occasional gasp of awe from gallery visitors.
While Fazzino is well-known to art collectors for his dazzling cityscapes, the exhibition showcases his versatility through other thematic pieces.
One of the pieces that intrigued me was this small, unassuming artwork titled “A Prayer for Peace” where he visually expresses his hopes for global well-being. As a well-travelled artist, he realised that this longing for a peaceful world is a common thread in all the countries and cultures he’s visited.
The piece uses a variety of icons (peace symbols, white doves, olive branches, rainbows, hearts, and butterflies) to convey its message. While some might see these as basic representations, I believe their simplicity is intentional. They are universal symbols that easily transcend cultural and language barriers, making the message relatable to everyone.
Another piece, ‘Celebrating our world… the best is yet to come,’ conveys a strong message of hope. Fazzino experiments with a fusion of traditional and digital art, which I felt was representative of how people transitioned to digital interactions while staying in their own little bubbles during the pandemic.
Other inspirations
A recurring theme in Fazzino’s work is the inclusion of popular luxury brands that are often synonymous with the cityscapes they inhabit. Chanel, Macy’s, Armani, and Bulgari have a constant presence in his art, and in pieces like ‘Hey Girlfriend, let’s go shopping,’ they become part of the main subject. We have his wife and daughter to thank for this, as they were the inspiration behind the inclusion of these brands.
Another source of inspiration is comic books. This is made especially evident in his piece ‘Chronicles of the Big Apple,’ where classic comic book frames are juxtaposed in the background, with each frame telling a story that corresponds to an area in the 3D elements in the middle of the artwork.
Medium of choice
When asked about his process, Fazzino explained that all his art starts as a large painting before being transformed into his 3D pop art. Creating the initial painting is no small task, pun intended, given the final size of the 3D piece.
He experiments with a paper, canvas, digital art, aluminium, Swarovski crystals, and many others to ensure that his art stands out visually. These pieces are also designed to be durable, specially with the help of the special silicon holding each intricate piece together.
His process is made possible with the help of his team of artists in his New York studio who assist in recreating each element. Once the pieces are ready, Fazzino himself assembles them, bringing his vision to life with his own hands and adding his unique flair. This studio setup is similar to those of artists like Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama.
Go out and dive in
Charles Fazzino’s art is a celebration of life, travel, and personal stories he has collected across his travels. I found some of these stories, and some of it resonated with me and my own experiences, helping me form a personal connection to his work.
His art is meant not to be just seen, but felt and experienced in person. Visiting Bruno Gallery to view and engage with the art and the artist directly was a true privilege and a highlight of my day. I encourage anyone, even non-enthusiasts, to go and experience it for themselves because, as I mentioned, my words and pictures simply don’t do his art justice.
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