The Mystic Discoveries Podcast, Ep 16:Tiffany Singh talks Buddhism, Art, Social Practice, Motherhood

The Holistic Human Podcast

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“The artwork that I create is more about the process that goes on behind the scenes, within the people, as a way or means of empowering and generating well- being through the vehicle of Art”. Tiffany Singh, 2020.

Art has the capacity to change the world for good. Amazing humans like Tiffany Singh are taking Art as social Practice to great heights, both in Aotearoa and abroad. I was lucky enough to have her come and bring her story as an artist in a wonderfully holistic way. As she says, everything is connected. Her Buddhist beliefs are intrinsically linked with her approach to art and the way she creates, a lot of the time in collaboration with communities (refugees, children affected by the Christchurch earthquakes) and other artists. Tiffany explains how she developed her approach into that of social practice. And shares stories from many exhibitions she has created in New Zealand beyond.

She also discusses how her motherhood is another aspect of her artistic practice now, she describes how her children are with her throughout the creation of work and how community has been essential to her being able to continue to create while also being a mother of two.

In my mind she is one of New Zealand’s modern iconic artists and I couldn’t be happier for there to be another space for her to share her inspirational story and some words of wisdom.

She is taking commissions at the moment, by the way. So if your in the market for a piece of fine art then contact her through her website https://tiffanysingh.com/#contact

Here are some points we cover in our chat

• Work in Te Papa. The ideas behind Indra’s Bow and Total Internal reflection
• https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/discover-collections/read-watch-play/art/tiffany-singh-indras-bow-total-internal-reflection/rituals
• Colour Therapy
• Levelling the experience of Art: Making it inclusive to all ages, ethnicities, moving to the heart and out of the head. A narrative that many can relate to.
• (Lithograph Images) How you respond to colour frequencies.
• Tiffany’s Artistic Career. How the juxtaposition of living in the West and the East has influenced her art and her approach. Art as social practice.
• The influence Max Gimblett had on Tiffany and her inclusion of the spiritual into her work.
• Living in India and connecting with her Indian heritage. The volunteer creative practice work she did while there. Process more important than the outcome, painting with kids in slums, putting women’s collectives together. How the process affected those involved.
• How the 3 years living in India directed her art making approach. What bought her to Buddhism.
• What is ‘Social Practice’ (activity and inquiry) and the state of art as social practice in New Zealand. How social practice can be used to help with depression, enabling well-being and mental health.
• Aligning Health and Education with Art. Te Ora Aroha

Below are links to exhibitions mentioned in the podcast. I HIGHLY recommend you go have a looksie. Honestly, the loving magicalness of the work can be felt even through the computer screen. It is so inspiring.

https://tiffanysingh.com/fly-me-up-to-where-you-are/

https://tiffanysingh.com/the-journey-of-a-million-miles-begin-with-one-step/

https://shadowsoftheawakened.tumblr.com/

https://tiffanysingh.com/collaboration-is-the-future/