The Artist
Adeline Yeo-Matsuzaki 杨丝祯, born in 1977, is recognized as Singapore’s first woman finger-painting artist. Since 2010, Adeline has held seven successful solo exhibitions and won the hearts of hundreds of art lovers, novices and seasoned collectors alike.
“When I paint with my fingers, it makes me feel one with the canvas. I am free to create whatever I have in my mind. I am a very sensorial person, so it feels almost like an intimate process to me.”
Adeline Yeo-Matsuzaki,
as interviewed in The Business Times, Singapore
Adeline’s art is often vibrant, exuberant and saturated with spirited bursts of colors. The dynamic and unabashed finger strokes on her paintings radiate a positive energy that reflects Adeline’s personal spirituality and life philosophy. The intimacy Adeline cultivates with each canvas breathes life into her art.
Her works evoke a sense of wonder that empowers, uplifts and inspires. It is no surprise that many find her paintings emotional and stirring, motivating one to explore the many facets of life in truth, yet with hope and optimism. All of Adeline’s works revolve around her philosophical trinity of life – Love, Joy and Faith.
As a non-conformist artist who eschews brushes, Adeline challenges convention even further by painting – at times, and in public – blindfolded, an extraordinary practice that enables her to accomplish exceptional artworks that are spell-binding and soulful. Some of Adeline’s most sought-after works have been created blindfolded.
#artandfood
A big admirer of Coco Chanel who revolutionized what fashion meant and redefined class and luxury, Adeline is inspired by all things beautiful and stylish, particularly fashion, architecture and good designs.
Since moving to Japan in 2018, Adeline’s passion for creativity has been further fuelled by the country’s profound appreciation for beauty. The Japanese attention to aesthetics and artistry satiates the five senses with even the most mundane object. This resonates with Adeline’s belief that art should be inclusive and accessible to many.
A self-professed foodie, Adeline enjoys dining and wining immensely. The parallels between her art and palate prompted Adeline to seek like-minded artisans who share her passion. Thence born a thoughtfully curated collection of sake, liqueur, spirits and edibles produced in collaboration with carefully selected breweries and food partners.
Personal Journey from Corporate PR to Artist
Adeline built a career in public relations in Singapore supporting fashion and luxury brands after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies from Australia. Taking a hiatus from 10 years of corporate life, Adeline pursued her love for painting. Stumped by her mentor’s challenge to paint “a phoenix’s egg” (because phoenixes have no eggs?!), Adeline had an epiphany when she closed her eyes and caressed the blank canvas, and she began to fill the canvas with paints on her fingers and palms. Her hands seemed to have a life of their own and when she opened her eyes, the painting revealed a “tree” – the phoenix rising out of the ashes. Adeline’s mentor promptly bought this finger-painted art which Adeline titled Resurrection, and the rest is history.
Book & Poetry
ViVa! Life Illuminated is an enchanting hardcover coffee-table book that spotlights 50 of Adeline’s amazing art pieces, some of which painted blindfolded, each accompanied by a poem or musing penned by the artist. This stunning collection of contemporary art and earnest literary works enthral readers to peek into Adeline’s inner world of emotions and life perspectives, and to share her aspiration to live truly by embracing her philosophical trinity of life – love, joy and faith.
Published by Write Editions, Viva! Life Illuminated is available at Kinokuniya book store, Ngee Ann City, Singapore.
