Cheeming Boey

Boredom and the lack of resources can sometimes serve as the perfect catalyst for creative pursuits.

Artist Cheeming Boey, used his to transform a discarded Styrofoam cup into a work of art using nothing but a  Sharpie pen.

 

I asked Boey about his inspiration and his style of work that ranges from bold-line graphics and  comics-style drawings to fine-detailed pointillism.

 

He says: "I experiment a lot. and I try to vary the ways I draw my lines all the time. When you tie yourself down to a style, you lose a lot of other audience. I am not saying you should appeal to everyone, no. What I am saying is, don't limit your style. Explore"

 

His inspiration comes from daily events, other artists and music.

 

"When I work, I listen to a whole bunch of music, I may stumble upon something I really like and that's when I will leave it on loop for the whole evening, and subsequently, that will determine the subject matter and mood I place on the cup."

 

On his chosen medium, he says: "Think outside the box. It doesn't have to be pen on paper, or paint on canvas. You don't need expensive materials to make something beautiful. I work with a 4c cup and an 80c sharpie".

 

As for the future "I don't know what the future holds. I never expected this to be what it is now. I knew I was on to something, I just didn't know how big it would become".

 

"Personally, I don't plan too far ahead anymore because huge long term goals are much harder to achieve. Instead, I have several short term goals that are much more realistic. Baby steps".

Boey's cups take anything between a few hours and a few months to complete. According to him, the nature of these materials is such that allows only one chance to get it right. That is why, with the more complicated designs he prefers to take caution and work slowly, over a longer period of time.

 

And for those who wonder about the eco-friendliness of his materials, well, I suppose Boey used an environmentally problematic material, that cannot decompose; so by turning it into a work of art he, essentially, illuminates the need to recycle it altogether.

 

To see more Boey's work, check out his website and Flickr page.

Have a fantastic weekend, lovelies!

Comments

[Cynthia]

Wow, he ought to start his own line of paper plates, cups, etc. or dishes..they would look great with a whole place setting of a certain theme with his drawings on them.

[by JOS]

these put a big smile on my face! great share. have a wonderful weekend sweetie!

[Iva]

Styrofoam cups are the worst, I don't like that material at all (probably because I have made way too many projects for the university using it and the result was tiny pieces everywhere SO hard to clean, lol. oh, and it makes a terrible sound when you cut it). But those drawings can really make me change my mind! A lovely collection, and I like what he says about limiting your style :)

[Cookie Cutter]

Styrofoam cups were just styrofoam cups till I saw these!

[Lorna]

Wow, these really are amazing

Have you started college? How's it all going?

[Naomi Friedman]

I think you're on to something :)

[Naomi Friedman]

LOL! I'm totally with you on that one! :)

[Naomi Friedman]

Starting on the first week of October, but I'm still abroad... Sorry I've been so quite with posting, commenting and tweetering :)
xox

[Naomi Friedman]

Oh, i know what you mean! it's like when the Styrofoam inside of a beanbag spills out and it gets totally out of control :D

[Naomi Friedman]

Thanks hun :) Right back at you!
xox

[Home exchange]

These cups are very original. They're a great antidote to cultural homogenisation! Extremely cool.

[Krystle]

I love the fact that he uses materials that would normally be thrown away and changes them into a piece of art.

Thanks for the comment. Love your blog.

[samia]

wow these are truly out of the box.. i have done painting on my ice cream cups when i was a kid adn want thrilled at the idea of sketches on them.. but these are reallly something