JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

SG50 COMMEMORATIVE BOOK PUBLISHED TO CELEBRATE ’S HAWKER CENTRES Heritage & Art Project comes to a close with 133 artworks completed across 44 hawker centres

Singapore, 1 August 2015 – Representatives of more than 70 participating schools, organisations as well as individuals were each presented with a commemorative book as a token of appreciation at the closing ceremony of “Our Hawker Centres – A Heritage & Art Project” this afternoon, by Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance and MP for GRC, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The project, which came to a close today, celebrates 50 years of Singapore’s unique hawker culture and highlights the heritage of our neighbourhoods through incorporating art within our existing hawker centres.

2 Jointly published by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and National Heritage Board (NHB), and in partnership with the National Arts Council (NAC) and Nippon Paint Singapore, the commemorative book titled, “Our Hawker Centres – A Heritage & Art Project”, brings together photos and write-ups of the 133 artworks completed across 44 hawker centres, and captures personal and vivid recollections and quotes from the participants. The book will also be made available online on NEA’s website, www.nea.gov.sg.

3 Work on the murals and art installations for “Our Hawker Centres – A Heritage & Art Project” commenced in January 2015 and was completed in July 2015, before National Day (please see Annex A for the list of participating hawker centres, schools, organisations and individuals). More than 1,500 participants, including students, teachers and professional artists, came together to celebrate our heritage and art through creating murals and art installations in the hawker centres. This has helped raise public awareness of the heritage and cultural value of Singapore’s hawker centres and the areas they are located in.

4 The artworks have reached out to people from all walks of life, bringing the community together in a fun yet meaningful way to appreciate the shared heritage of our

Page 1 of 11 hawker centres, and foster a sense of ownership by all. Lee Wee Cheng of Jurong Secondary School, who helped paint the mural, “Memories of the Jurong Drive-in Cinema” at Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre shared, “There were many occasions where the public asked what we were painting. Once, when I explained that the painting was about the Taman Jurong Drive-In cinema with Bruce Lee representing one of the many movies shown, they gave me a smile. Some members of the public who were having their meals nearby would also discuss our painting among themselves. I am glad that our artwork has triggered conversations and memories of our Taman Jurong residents” (please refer to Annex B for more details on selected artworks from the initiative).

5 Mr Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of the National Environment Agency said, “The commemorative book captures the extraordinary effort put in by the 1,500 participants in collecting the stories to create murals and art installations across 44 hawker centres. These artworks will inspire and inform the community about their heritage while they enjoy affordable and good hawker food. This project highlights the important role that hawker centres play in our daily lives, and we hope that the murals will help people develop a keen interest in our hawker centres and appreciate them as cultural icons of Singapore.”

6 Chief Executive Officer of the National Heritage Board, Mrs Rosa Daniel said, “Hawker centres, with their spread of multicultural delicacies and casual, inviting atmosphere, have long served as places where Singaporeans can bond, interact and connect through our shared love for food. Likewise, this island-wide project has brought together Singaporeans from across the country and their commendable efforts in celebrating a very important aspect of our history and identity – our food heritage. The Art and Heritage Project sees the wonderful marriage of food, art and place heritage, and the beautiful pieces of work speak of the passion and creativity of the community.”

7 Added Ms Kathy Lai, Chief Executive Officer of the National Arts Council, “The hawker centre is an icon of the Singapore lifestyle. Singaporeans from all walks of life treasure this shared space and it is our privilege to be able to introduce the arts here to engage with them. It is our hope that new connections, conversations and friendships can be fostered through the process of art making and appreciation in hawker centres.”

8 Business Development Manager for Nippon Paint Singapore, Mr Henry Ang, said, “Over the past months, we are delighted to see the spaces where we are nourished and recharged undergo a refreshing facelift by the community, and for the community. During

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Singapore’s founding days, paint took on mainly a protective role as we built a nation together. Today we join hands again to infuse the hopes and creativity of the people into our hawker centres through colourful murals. It has been our pleasure to do our part in this meaningful project and we hope more people can better see our national icons, such as our hawker centres, from a fresh point of view.”

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Xie (Miss) Andy Ong (Mr) Executive, Corporate Communications Senior Assistant Director, Corporate National Environment Agency Communications DID: 6731 9535 National Environment Agency HP: 9844 8603 DID: 6731 9678 Email: [email protected] Mobile: 9844 6274 Email: [email protected]

Sylvia Goh (Ms) Jaclynn Seah (Ms) Manager, Corporate Communications Senior Manager, Corporate Communications National Heritage Board and Marketing Services DID: 6332 4485 National Arts Council Mobile: 9873 7746 DID: 6346 9425 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Lim Wee Ling (Ms) Asia PR Werkz On behalf of Nippon Paint Singapore Mobile: 9768 6827 Email: [email protected]

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About National Environment Agency

Formed on 1 July 2002, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is the leading public organisation responsible for improving and sustaining a clean and green environment in Singapore. The NEA develops and spearheads environmental initiatives and programmes through its partnership with the People, Public and Private sectors. It is committed to motivating every individual to take up environmental ownership and to care for the environment as a way of life.

By protecting Singapore's environment from pollution, maintaining a high level of public health and providing timely meteorological information, the NEA endeavours to ensure sustainable development and a quality living environment for present and future generations.

About the National Heritage Board The National Heritage Board (NHB) was formed on 1 August 1993. As the custodian of Singapore’s heritage, NHB is responsible for telling the Singapore story, sharing the Singaporean experience and imparting our Singapore spirit. NHB’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the shared heritage of our diverse communities, for the purpose of education, nation-building and cultural understanding. It manages the national museums and heritage institutions, and sets policies relating to heritage sites, monuments and the national collection. Through the national collection, NHB curates heritage programmes and presents exhibitions to connect the past, present and future generations of Singaporeans. NHB is a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Please visit www.nhb.gov.sg for more information.

About the National Arts Council

The National Arts Council (NAC) spearheads the development of the arts in Singapore while advancing the country's aspiration to be a distinctive global city for the arts. NAC's mission is to nurture the arts and make Singapore's rich and diverse culture an integral part of people's lives. Anchored on the twin strategies of excellence and engagement in the arts, NAC aims to build a vibrant arts sector by creating a conducive environment where the arts is accessible to all, and artistic talents have the necessary resources and capabilities to excel and achieve long-term sustainability.

About Nippon Paint (Singapore)

Nippon Paint (Singapore) Co Pte Ltd is a subsidiary of Nippon Paint Japan - a pioneer of the paint industry with more than 120 years of history. Established in 1962, it is a leading paint manufacturer in Singapore. Combining research and development with in-depth local market understanding, Nippon Paint provides end-to-end paint and coating solutions for professional, industrial and home users. Guided by the company’s core values of integrity, resourcefulness and the drive to achieve excellence, Nippon Paint continues to deliver innovative products and services to protect and beautify the Singapore urban environment. For more information, please visit www.nipponpaint.com.sg

ANNEX A

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“Our Hawker Centres – A Heritage & Art Project” As of 31 July 2015

No. Hawker Centres Participating School/Organisation/Individual Dunearn Secondary School 1 Adam Food Centre Hillgrove Secondary School Swiss Cottage Secondary School LASALLE College of the Arts, Faculty for the Creative Industries 2 Albert Centre Singapore Polytechnic Design School, Diploma in Experience and Product Design Queenstown Primary School 3 Alexandra Village Food Centre Queensway Secondary School Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) Anglo-Chinese School (Barker) Anglo-Chinese School (International) 4 Amoy Street Food Centre Anglo-Chinese School (Junior) Anglo-Chinese School (Independentl) Anglo-Chinese Junior College 5 Blk 628 Ave 4 Market & Food Centre Secondary School 6 Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6 Market & Food Centre Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Secondary School 7 Ayer Rajah Market & Food Centre Secondary School Cantonment Primary School 8 Beo Crescent Market River Valley Primary School 9 Berseh Food Centre LASALLE College of the Arts, Faculty for the Creative Industries 10 Blk 163 Central Food Centre Gan Eng Seng Primary School 11 Blk 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre Henderson Secondary School 12 Market & Food Centre Staff of Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School Zhenghua Primary School Singapore Polytechnic Design School, Visual Communication and 13 Chinatown Complex Media Design Temasek Polytechnic, School of Design Tom Civil (for Australian High Commission) 14 Market & Food Centre Orchid Park Secondary School 15 Blk 79/79A Circuit Road Food Centre Yok and Sheryo (for Australian High Commission) 16 Blk 80 Circuit Road Market & Food Centre Band of Doodlers (for National Arts Council) 17 Blk 448 Clementi Ave 3 Market & Food Centre Pei Tong Primary School 18 Commonwealth Crescent Market & Food Centre West Grove Primary School 19 East Coast Lagoon Food Village Yok and Sheryo (for Australian High Commission) 20 Empress Market St Margaret's Secondary School Singapore Polytechnic Design School, Visual Communication and 21 Holland Drive Market & Food Centre Media Design Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) 22 Holland Village Market & Food Centre Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary) Zhao Zimu, Graduate of Nanyang Technological University, School of Art, Design & Media

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23 Kovan 209 Market & Food Centre CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity Primary School Marsiling Secondary School 24 Marsiling Lane Market & Food Centre Riverside Secondary School Secondary School Ang Mo Kio Primary School 25 Mayflower Market & Food Centre ITE College Central (Ang Mo Kio) Singapore Polytechnic Design School, Visual Communication and 26 Newton Food Centre Media Design 27 North Bridge Road Market & Food Centre Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Fine Art Programmes Maris Stella High School (Primary) Maris Stella High School (Secondary) 28 Garden Market St Gabriel's Primary School St Gabriel's Secondary School Zhonghua Secondary School Raffles Insitution 29 Shunfu Mart Whitley Secondary School Jurong Secondary School 30 Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre Lakeside Primary School Xingnan Primary School 31 Round Market & Food Centre Yeoh Wee Hwee (for National Arts Council) 32 Plaza Market & Food Centre West Grove Primary School 33 Teck Ghee Court Teck Ghee Primary School Townsville Primary School 34 Teck Ghee Square Bishan Park Secondary School St. Joseph's Institution Junior Primary School 35 Tekka Centre LASALLE College of the Arts, Faculty for the Creative Industries Regan Tamanui (HA-HA) and TraseOne (for Australian High Commission) 36 Blk 36 Rise Market & Food Centre Tom Civil, Zero, Yok and Sheryo (for Australian High Commission) Zhangde Primary School Jolyn Kang, Graduate of Singapore Polytechnic Design School, 37 Market Diploma in Experience and Product Design Mike Makatron (for Australian High Commission) Ernest Goh (for Tanjong Pagar - Tiong Bahru CACC) CHIJ Primary () 38 Blk 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh Market & Food Centre Nanyang Junior College Raffles Girls' School 39 Blk 93 Lorong 4 Toa PayohMarket & Food Centre CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) 40 Blk 75 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Food Centre Guangyang Secondary School 41 Blk 210 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh Market & Food Centre St Joseph's Institution Clementi Woods Secondary School 42 West Coast Market Square Secondary School Hill Primary School 43 Whampoa Makan Place Balestier Hill Secondary School Bendemeer Primary School

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Bendemeer Secondary School Hong Wen School 44 Yuhua Village Market & Food Centre Government High School

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ANNEX B

S/N School/ Short Description Pictures Organisation/Individual 1 Zhangde Primary at Tiong “Reminiscing Tiong Bahru” Bahru Market This mural depicts significant landmarks in Tiong Bahru. They include the now defunct 1200-seater King’s Theatre and the popular Bird Corner, where bird-lovers gathered, sipping coffee and admiring each other’s prized pets. Tiong Bahru was also the first public housing estate to be built by Singapore Improvement Trust. These flats built with high ceilings, large windows and open, cantilevered balconies are unique to Tiong Bahru. The first modern market with white tiles, red quarries and white mosaic tiles to be built in a housing estate was incidentally, Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre.

2 Singapore Polytechnic’s “The Way I See Chinatown” Diploma in Visual Communication and Chinatown had its name derived from the fact that water Media Design (DVMD) at supply was transported from bullock carts. Until today, Chinatown Complex there are still shop houses in Chinatown, adding to the nostalgia of the place. The mural is about a girl fascinated by her experience at Chinatown. As she daydreams, she imagines a whimsical Chinatown.

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S/N School/ Short Description Pictures Organisation/Individual 3 Jurong Secondary at “Memories of the Jurong Drive-in Cinema” Taman Jurong Market/FC This mural depicts a scene where a family is enjoying a Bruce Lee movie, which brought in a record box-office earning at that time at the Jurong Drive-in cinema. In the backdrop are iconic Taman Jurong landmarks, including the Chinese Garden pagoda, old design playground and the H-shaped HDB flats. It is hoped that this mural will trigger memories of our past and serve as a reminder of the unique drive-in cinematic experience that attracted Singaporeans from all over the island to this neighbourhood.

4 Pei Hwa Presbyterian “Uniquely Bukit Timah” Primary at Bukit Timah Market The mural shows key features of Bukit Timah such as Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, railway track and reputable education institutions in this region. Scenes from the past to the present are symbolized by the foldable tentage and vibrant Bukit Timah Market and Food Centre. The rock marks the summit of , well-known for its lush flora and fauna. Visible from the main road, the prominent communication towers stand resolute on the hill. Black, white, grey and yellow are used to highlight residents, places and buildings so as to provide details to the images for a distinctive effect.

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S/N School/ Short Description Pictures Organisation/Individual 5 Band of Doodlers at Blk “Macpherdoodle” 80 Circuit Road Market & Food Centre The mural embodies the rich culture and icons which makes MacPherson a memorable place to live, work and play. Illustrated by the Band of Doodlers, multiple stories of MacPherson have been weaved into this multi-storey artwork. From the iconic tallest blocks to the old bus terminals, and not forgetting the ever-present array of scrumptious food, MacPherson is truly immersed with vibrant history and cultures

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S/N School/ Short Description Pictures Organisation/Individual 6 Yeoh Wee Hwee at “Untitled Disposable” Tampines Round Market & Food Centre Untitled Disposable depicts the rich symbolism of hawker centres through the use of the everyday disposable chopsticks. The idea behind the work is to strip the disposable chopsticks of its intended purpose and transform them beyond its common use into a beautiful art piece. The result is an installation that juxtaposes the familiar symbol of chopsticks in this well-frequented space, against the unfamiliarity of interacting and encountering artwork in a hawker centre.

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