Cover Farizwan Fajari, aka Speak Cryptic. (Photo: Speak Cryptic)

The local street artist is one of many who have embraced sharing their digital creations using blockchain tech. Here's why

This March, Tatler invited some of Singapore’s most dynamic young artists to reveal how they are pushing boundaries in their art practice and create exclusive self-portraits for us. In the first part of our Portrait of an Artist series, we speak to Farizwan Fajari, the artist better known as Speak Cryptic.

For Speak Cryptic, creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs) can be seen as natural extension of his street art background.

“The reason why people do street art is because they are sick and tired of waiting around and not having galleries to show their work. My thinking as an artist has always been about how I can show my work and expand my practice so it is accessible to more people,” says Farizwan.

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The contemporary artist, who is known for his complex black-and-white illustrated murals, often addresses themes of identity in his work. For instance, his most recent installation, The Same Side of the Moon Always Faces Earth, which was shown at the Light to Night Festival in conjunction with Singapore Art Week, is inspired by stories of the migrants and seafarers of yore who came to Singapore.

“I’ve been consistently recording my thoughts in a journal, not by writing but by presenting them in a visual format,” he shares. “I’ve noticed that the running theme is identity, which also appears in my work. In recent years, I’ve also been exploring the human experience by using myself as the catalyst.”

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Speak Cryptic

He became “crypto curious” last February when he discovered that NFTs could be displayed and sold online, hence bypassing the typical structure of showing work in galleries. “At that time, it wasn’t about the money because it was ‘electronic money’. I was fascinated about showing my work to a new audience,” he says.

He minted his first NFT last March and to his surprise, it sold within a day. “It was the fastest my work has ever sold,” he lets on, “and that got me excited.” It was only after he converted some cryptocurrency into cash that it began to sink in that this “brings value to my life”, he says. It was a relief, he explains, as this happened during a time when the pandemic had affected the art community, and there were fewer events and commissions. “I had backup plans to become a barista or join Grab,” he quips. “Whatever it was that would allow me to keep on drawing. To me, that is an artist—someone who wants to spend their time making art.”

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Since then, NFT sales make up about a quarter of his projected income—with traditional jobs such as commissions, installations and workshops making up the rest. He has also continued to showcase his work both locally and abroad. Last year, he had a solo show, The Weight of Water, that was presented in Paris.

As he continues to delve into the world of NFTs, his goal is clear. “Singapore is gaining a good reputation as a place for crypto and to create NFTs. I’m trying to be a part of the conversation,” he says, “and to see if there is a possibility to expand my practice, especially my digital work, which may otherwise not see the light of day.”

Take a closer look at Speak Cryptic’s exclusive self-portrait for Tatler

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Speak Cryptic

As a product of his immediate environment, Farizwan believes he is greatly informed by the music he listens to, his friends and even the food he eats. All of these have a visual equivalent that can be translated into “marks”, which he then captures in his self-portrait.

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