MEDIA RELEASE the President Recognises Local Artists Through The

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MEDIA RELEASE

The President recognises Local Artists through the Istana Art Collection Showcasing works of art by renowned Singaporean artists at the Istana

Singapore, 20 June 2017 – President Tony Tan hosted a tea reception at the Istana for renowned Singaporean artists and the Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee members, to recognise their contribution to the local art scene. The works of the local artists are part of the Istana Art Collection, which include paintings and sculptures by Cultural Medallion recipients, Ong Kim Seng, Lim Yew Kuan and Han Sai Por. These works and many others are showcased and viewed by dignitaries and guests during State Visits and functions held at the Istana. Members of the public are also able to view some of these works of art during Istana open house events.

Established in September 1994, the Istana Art Collection comprises artworks and commissioned works by emerging and established Singaporean artists. Works of art are acquired or commissioned for the Istana Art Collection to reflect aspects of art development in Singapore, as well as to represent the cultural achievements of Singapore as a nation. There are both traditional and contemporary artworks in the Collection, spanning a range of mediums, from paintings to ceramics, photographs and site-specific installations. The Istana Art Collection is part of the National Collection, which includes collections managed by the national institutions, such as Singapore Art Museum and other museums under the National Heritage Board.

A curated selection of the Istana Art Collection is displayed on a rotational basis at various spaces within the Istana. Han Sai Por’s stone sculpture, titled Transformation Series 2, is located on the Istana Grounds, while artworks such as Russel Wong’s specially-commissioned photographs of the Istana and Iskandar Jalil’s ceramics from his, “In Pursuit of the Ethical Pot”, show are displayed in the lobby of the main building of the Istana. Other artworks from the Collection, such as Lim Yew Kuan’s bust of President Sheares, Chua Ek Kay’s scroll painting of the Istana Gardens, titled, “A Ramble Through the Istana Gardens”, and Ong Kim Seng’s acrylic paintings, “Evening Glows at the Victoria Memorial Hall” and “Moonlit Night in a HDB Estate”, are showcased alongside state gifts in function rooms and other spaces used to host foreign dignitaries and guests during their visits to the Istana. Refer to Annex A for a select list of artworks from the Istana Art Collection.

The Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee is a standing committee that advises the President in the acquisitions and commissions for the Istana Art Collection. Now in its sixth term, the Advisory Committee is currently chaired by Ms Jane Ittogi, Chair of Singapore Art Museum, and comprises members Mr. Ahmad Mashadi, Dr S Chandrasekaran, Ms Chong Siak Ching, Dr Suriani Suratman and Mr Teo Han Wue. (Refer to Annex B for more information on the current lstana Art Collection Advisory Committee.) Past Istana Art Collection Advisory Committees were chaired by Mr T. K. Sabapathy, Singapore’s preeminent art historian, Dr Earl Lu, prominent art collector and former Chairman of Singapore Art Museum, and Mr Koh Seow Chuan, then Chairman of The National Art Gallery of Singapore (now known as National Gallery Singapore).

The Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee was involved in the acquisition and commission of artworks by notable Singaporean artists such as Thomas Yeo, Chua Ek Kay and Leo Hee Tong, and most recently, batik artist Sarkasi Said. The latest contribution to the Istana Art Collection, “Istana Garden”, a large-scale triptych inspired by the lush flora in the Istana Garden, was specially commissioned for the Istana Reception Room. The artwork was developed over several months, with Sarkasi continuing in his studies and experimentation of the form, in order to produce an artwork that best suited the function and aesthetics of the space, as well as to express the vitality of Singapore’s tropical landscape.

“My wife and I are happy to host a tea reception at the Istana today for some Singaporean artists, whose works are in the Istana Art Collection. Singapore’s art scene has strengthened over the years, and the Istana Art Collection reflects this cultural progress of our nation. Through the Istana Art Collection, some of these artworks are showcased to visitors to the Istana, including foreign dignitaries and guests. I am glad that the Istana continues to be a platform to recognise our local artists and their works,” says President Tony Tan.

“The presentation of important works of art at the Istana recognises the achievements of Singaporean artists, and the significance of cultural development for our nation. The Committee has put much thought and effort into selecting artists whose works are to be commissioned, and recommending artworks of historical and cultural significance to be acquired, all of which aimed at complementing and engaging with the existing spaces within the Istana,” says Ms Jane Ittogi, Chair of Singapore Art Museum and Chair of the Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee.

A selection of the Istana Art Collection may be viewed during upcoming Istana open house events on 25 June, 30 July and 18 October 2017, in celebration of Hari Raya Puasa, National Day and Deepavali respectively. Visitors will be able to see Han Sai Por’s stone sculpture on the Istana Grounds, as well as artworks by Iskandar Jalil, Russel Wong and Sarkasi Said in the main building of the Istana, which is accessible for a token fee that goes to charity.

For high-resolution images, please download them at www.bit.ly/IstanaArtCollection. Image use guidelines apply. Annex A1 List of artworks on display at the Istana

Medium, Dimensions, No. Artwork Collection Displayed at the Istana Reception Room Batik on Cotton 1 Sarkasi Said, Istana Garden, 2017 224.2 x 143.3 cm Istana Art Collection Displayed at the President’s Lounge Watercolour on Paper 2 Peh Eng Seng, Rowell Road, 1998 71 x 61 cm Istana Art Collection Watercolour on Paper 3 Peh Eng Seng, Little India, 1998 71 x 61 cm Istana Art Collection Displayed at the Istana Lobby Selenium toned silver gelatin prints 4 Russel Wong, Queen Victoria Statue, 2006 78 x 86.7 x 3.4cm Istana Art Collection Selenium toned silver gelatin prints 5 Russel Wong, Sunrise from the Main Building Entrance, 2006 77.7 x 86.7 x 3.4 cm Istana Art Collection Selenium toned silver gelatin prints 6 Russel Wong, Sunrise from the Presidential Balcony, 2006 77.7 x 86.7 x 3.4 cm Istana Art Collection Selenium toned silver gelatin prints 7 Russel Wong, Main Building with Canon at Dusk, 2006 86.7 x 75.3 x 3.4 cm Istana Art Collection Acrylic on Canvas I Wayan Bendi, Thematic Balinese Painting for the Istana 8 220 x 180.4 cm Stateroom, 2005 Istana Art Collection Ceramic Iskandar Jalil, Interplay Between Traditions and Contemporary 9 50.2 x 42.3 x 9 cm Forms : #4 Dippers, 2002 Istana Art Collection Ceramic Iskandar Jalil, Interplay Between Traditions and Contemporary 10 52.1 x 26.1 x 9 cm Forms : #5 Water Containers, 2002 Istana Art Collection Ceramic 13 x 21 x 21 cm 11 Iskandar Jalil, Oliver Twist 1,2,3, 2015 14 x 20 x 20 cm 13 x 20 x 20 cm Istana Art Collection Ceramic 20 x 26 x 23 cm 12 Iskandar Jalil, Cylindrical Bowl with Handle 1 & 2, 2015 16 x 27 x 23 cm Istana Art Collection Displayed at the Istana State Room Ceramic 13 Iskandar Jalil, Lagu dan Irama (Lyrics and Rhythm), 2015 31 x 40 x 18 cm Istana Art Collection Ceramic 14 Iskandar Jalil, Pandang-lah, Lihat lah (Look! Must see me!), 2015 47 x 30 x 30 cm Istana Art Collection Displayed at Level 2 Lobby

Acrylic on Canvas Ong Kim Seng, Evening Glows at the Victoria Memorial Hall, 15 216.4 x 135.1 x 3.5 cm 1999 Istana Art Collection Acrylic on Canvas 16 Ong Kim Seng, Moonlit Night in a HDB Estate, 1999 216.1 x 135.6 x 3.5 cm Istana Art Collection

Displayed at Sheares Room

Ink and colour on paper (Scroll) 17 Chua Ek Kay, A Ramble Through the Istana Gardens, 2003 28.9 x 1018.5 cm Istana Art Collection Cast marble 18 Lim Yew Kuan, Bust of President Sheares, 1999 71 x 51 x 26 cm Istana Art Collection

Displayed on the Istana Grounds

Granite, Steel 19 Han Sai Por, Transformation Series 2, 2009 253 x 253 x 73.5 cm Istana Art Collection

Works from other museum collections, also on display at the Istana

Batik 89 x 215 cm 20 Jaafar Latiff, Unspoken Dialogue I, 1998 Singapore Art Museum Collection On display in the Sheares Room Cast marble 64.5 x 45 x 34 cm 21 Lim Yew Kuan, Bust of President Yusof Ishak, 1966 National Museum of Singapore Collection On display in the Yusof Room

A selection of other works in the Istana Art Collection, on temporary display

Oil on Canvas 22 Wee Shoo Leong, Daching, 1991 90 x 113 cm Istana Art Collection Oil on Board 23 Lim Hak Tai, NAFA - St. Thomas Walk, 1956 56 x 66 cm Istana Art Collection Ceramic 15 x 20 x 16 cm 24 Jessie Lim, Soft Rock 2 (Series of 2), 2012 17 x 17 x 16 cm Istana Art Collection Ceramic 25 Oh Chai Hoo, Anticipation (4), 2009 27 x 19 x 19 cm Istana Art Collection Ceramic 26 Oh Chai Hoo, Anticipation (5), 2009 34 x 27 x 14 cm Istana Art Collection Ceramic 27 Oh Chai Hoo, Anticipation (6), 2009 34 x 27 x 14 cm Istana Art Collection Annex A2 Write-ups and artist biographies for artworks on display at the Istana

Images courtesy of Singapore Art Museum

Sarkasi Said, Istana Garden, 2017 Batik on cotton 224.2 x 143.3 cm Istana Art Collection

Drawing his inspiration from the verdant flora in the Istana garden, Sarkasi has created an abstract rendering of the Cattleya orchid – the largest hybridised Orchid to be found in Singapore – on the batik medium. To the artist, the vigorous growth of tropical flora was an intimation of communal comity. Furthermore, given its recurrent use as a diplomatic gift to guests to Signapore, the orchid was a symbol of an extension of friendship between countries.

Within the large-scale abstract triptych, Sarkasi has composed a symphony of vibrant colours originally found in the lush flora of the Istana garden. Conducted with energy and vigour, the colours harmonise, expressing the vitality of the tropical island of Singapore.

Sarkasi is noted for his unconventional use of a wax-resisting technique, utilising bold use of colours in his vibrant depictions of nature; taking a contemporary approach to the traditional art of batik painting. In May of 2003, the Singaporean artist set a Guinness world record for the world’s longest batik painting.

Images courtesy of National Heritage Board

Peh Eng Seng, Rowell Road and Little India, 1998 Watercolour on paper 71 x 61 cm each Istana Art Collection

Peh Eng Seng often seeks out places unaltered by rapid progress as the subject of his paintings. In Rowell Road and Little India, Peh’s vibrant use of colour and dense composition suggests the vigour and vitality of these old shophouses in Singapore. In these plein air paintings, Peh captures the interactions between people and their environments, offering a glimpse of traditional streetscapes that contrast the rest of the country’s modern urban landscape.

A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Peh Eng Seng (b. 1940) is widely recognised as one of Singapore's most prolific watercolourists. A second-generation Singaporean artist, Peh’s flourishing brushstokes lend a vibrant atmosphere to his rendering of seascapes and urban scapes painted en plein air. His technical finesse in capturing the interactions between people and environment has won him numerous awards, including the Australian Art Award in 1985 and IBM Art Award in 1986.

Russel Wong

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Queen Victoria Statue, 2006

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Sunrise from the Main Building Entrance, 2006

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Sunrise from the Presidential Balcony, 2006

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Main Building with Canon at Dusk, 2006

Selenium toned silver gelatin prints 78 x 86.7 x 3.4 cm; 77 x 86.7 x 3.4 cm; 77 x 86.7 x 3.4 cm; 86.7 x 75.3 x 3.4 cm Istana Art Collection

Russel Wong’s set of 8 photographic prints, of which 4 are currently on display at the Istana, capture various parts of the Istana grounds in black and white, using a large format camera. These shots are taken at different times of day, such as during sunrise and sunset, bringing to it various lighting situations that will make the images atmospheric. Sunrise from the Main Building Entrance captures the Istana building in morning light, Sunrise from the Presidential Balcony captures the commercial district from the balcony overlooking the city, and Main Building with Canon at Dusk captures the Istana building framed by the foliage.

Russel Wong (b. 1961, Singapore) is one of the most celebrated photographers in Singapore and Asia. He was the first Singaporean to break into the Hollywood movie industry and has worked with famous celebrities, including Joan Chen, Isabella Rossellini, Oliver Stone, Paloma Picasso, Michael Jackson, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Glenn Close, David Lynch, Bruce Willis and Jackie Chan. He is also commissioned to photograph covers for Time magazine. He is the first local photographer to have a solo exhibition at SAM, and also the first and only photographer to be invited for the art residency at STPI.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

I Wayan Bendi, Thematic Balinese Painting for the Istana Stateroom, 2005 Acrylic on Canvas 220 x 180.4 cm Istana Art Collection

Specially commissioned by the Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee, this artwork by Indonesian artist I Wayan Bendi depicting the Singapore landscape has been executed in the Balinese Batuan style of painting. Executed with the artist’s iconic use of bold red tones, the highly detailed painting featuring iconic Singaporean landmarks playfully invites viewers to discover the numerous scenes he has incorporated into the work. The display of this Balinese artwork in the Istana also serves to underscore the meaningful cultural engagements within the region.

I Wayan Bendi (b. 1950, Indonesia) is a leading practitioner of the Batuan style of painting which developed in Bali between the 1920s and 1930s. Works from I Wayan Bendi are well known for their intricacy and detail, and he sets himself apart from other painters of this style with his bright and bold use of colours. With each one of his canvases crammed with his acute observations of the world around him, his recent works take a closer look at traumatic incidents that have shaped the world around him. His works have been exhibited in Japan, Netherlands, Belgium and New York. Iskandar Jalil

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Interplay Between Traditions and Contemporary Forms: #4 Dippers, 2002 Ceramic 50.2 x 42.3 x 9 cm Istana Art Collection

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Interplay Between Traditions and Contemporary Forms: #5 Water Containers, 2002 Ceramic 52.1 x 26.1 x 9 cm Istana Art Collection

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Oliver Twist 1, 2, 3, 2015 Ceramic 13 x 21 x 21 cm; 14 x 20 x 20 cm; 13 x 20 x 20 cm Istana Art Collection

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Cylindrical Bowl with Handle 1 & 2, 2015 Ceramic 20 x 26 x 23 cm; 16 x 27 x 23 cm Istana Art Collection

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Lagu dan Irama (Lyrics and Rhythm), 2015 Ceramic 31 x 40 x 18 cm Istana Art Collection

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Pandang-lah, Lihat-lah (Look! Must see me!), 2015 Ceramic 47 x 30 x 30 cm Istana Art Collection

Iskandar often uses mundane vessels such as vases, bowls or pots, as the basis for his explorations in art. His works thus straddle the utilitarian and the aesthetic – a philosophy imbibed from his apprenticeship in Japan, and witnessed in his work to this day. The artist also incorporates aspects of local culture within his creations.

This current display brings together works from Iskandar’s Interplay Between Traditions and Contemporary Forms series and from his 2015 solo exhibition, In Pursuit of the Ethical Pot. The latter sought to demonstrate Iskandar’s beliefs and attitudes towards pottery making and that as a showcase of his pursuit of “the ultimate pot” – the convergence of a mastery of technique, as well as aesthetics, identity, and life experiences.

Iskandar’s artworks highlight his mastery of incorporating organic structures, such as branches, seamlessly into the designs of his vessels. The myriad of forms that the various vessels take on also highlight Iskandar’s proficiency over his craft – be it rotund pots, cylindrical bowls, or vessels, the harmonious compositions underpin his philosophy of pottery.

Iskandar Jalil (b. 1940) is one of Singapore’s first generation ceramists whose use of fine clay has elevated bowls and pots into artworks that integrate Japanese and Islamic styles. While originally trained and working as a mathematics and science teacher, his second Colombo Plan scholarship in 1972 brought him to Japan, where he was introduced to pottery and thus began his passion for this art form. Iskandar was awarded the Cultural Medallion for Visual Arts in 1988 and ‘Pingat APAD’ in 1998. He is also the first Singaporean artist to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette bestowed by the Emperor of Japan in 2015, and was conferred an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Letters (honoris causa), by the Nanyang Technological University in 2017.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Ong Kim Seng, Evening Glows at the Victoria Memorial Hall and Moonlit Night in a HDB Estate, 1999 Acrylic on canvas 216.4 x 135.1 x 3.5 cm Istana Art Collection

Commissioned by the Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee in 1999 to create a work that reflected Singapore, its landscape and people, Ong Kim Seng’s paintings are an attempt to encapsulate the essence of “Singaporean-ness”. Evening Glows at the Victoria Memorial Hall referred to the cultural heritage and aspirations of the nation, with the Victoria Memorial Hall assuming an iconic imagery. On the other hand, Moonlit Night in a HDB Estate emphasised the humility of the Singaporean lifestyle, with the familiar heartland scene of the Housing Development Board (HDB) flats taking the stage, transforming the banal into the monumental.

In responding to the theme set to him, Ong refers to Singapore as a nation of signs or iconography, signaling aspirations and banal realities of its people.

Eminent watercolourist Ong Kim Seng (b. 1945) is the former president of the Singapore Watercolour Society (1991 to 2001), a Cultural Medallion winner (Visual Art) in 1990, and winner of six awards from the prestigious American Watercolour Society. As a realist painter, Ong’s works focus on inanimate objects, architectural form, masonry, foliage and landscape. A self- taught observer, traveler and passionate learner, Ong Kim Seng has climbed the ranks of formal appreciation to claim his title as one of the most celebrated watercolourists of our age, gaining international renown and staking his claim as a modern-day cultural treasure.

Image courtesy of Ministry of Communications and Information

Chua Ek Kay, A Ramble Through the Istana Gardens, 2003 Ink and colour on paper (scroll) 28.9 x 1018.5cm Istana Art Collection

A Ramble Through the Istana Gardens is a poetic and leisurely meander through the Istana Gardens, revealing its beauty, history and authority as the premier residence, as well as offices, of Singapore's highest government. The artist presents a view as if walking through the gently undulating landscape of the Istana; its leafy environment, with flowers and shrubs nestling among the water-reeds of the various ponds, juxtaposed against the formality of the Istana domain.

The use of the handscroll, a favourite of scholars, poets and rulers for transcribing poetry, landscape and nature studies since the 12th century, suits the spontaneous style of brushstroke that the artist uses. It is an Asian form of intimacy, and invites deeper communication with special friends and guests in sharing the subtle secrets drawn and written within.

Inscription on the artwork:

葵未岁六月初旬遊总统府花园浓荫处处花木品种之繁目不暇恰是日风和丽清风习习归后写此小誌

蔡逸溪于容斋

Translation of inscription: The Istana Gardens, set in a lush shade in the midst of a sunny and breezy day, was filled with an innumerable array of interesting plants.

Thoughts penned after visiting The Istana Gardens in early June, 2003. Chua Ek Kay, Rong Studio

Chua Ek Kay (1947 – 2008) moved to Singapore from China in 1953 and was one of Singapore’s foremost contemporary Chinese ink painters. Chua studied Chinese ink painting under well-known Singapore pioneer artist Fan Chang Tien; he was also influenced by Australian aboriginal art and western artists such as Jackson Pollock, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. The main themes of Chua’s art were Singapore street scenes, lotuses and abstract works. In 1999, he was honoured with the Cultural Medallion Award by the Singapore government.

Image courtesy of Ministry of Communications and Information

Lim Yew Kuan, Bust of President Sheares, 1999 Cast marble 71 x 51 x 26 cm Istana Art Collection

Image courtesy of Ministry of Communications and Information

Lim Yew Kuan, Bust of President Yusof Ishak, 1966 Cast marble 64.5 x 45 x 34 cm National Museum of Singapore Collection

In 1966, Lim Yew Kuan completed the bust of then President Yusof Ishak, a work commissioned by the Singapore Art Society and presented to the President. In mid-1999, he was identified by the Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee for the commissioning of a bust of the former President Sheares. These busts are now on display in the Yusof and Sheares Rooms respectively.

Lim Yew Kuan (b. 1928, China) is a well-known second-generation Nanyang Style painter, printmaker and sculptor. The son of well-known pioneer artist and founder of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Lim Hak Tai, the younger Lim taught art for four decades, and served as the second principal of the art institution. Lim has created a prolific number of works in various mediums and has held exhibitions both locally and overseas. For his contributions to the visual arts scene, Lim was awarded Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal) in 1980 and the Cultural Medallion for Visual Arts in 2011.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Han Sai Por, Transformation Series 2, 2009 Granite, steel 253 x 253 x 73.5 cm Istana Art Collection

Transformation Series 2, a serious artwork nuanced with playful irony, looks at Man’s involvement in the alteration of nature and landscapes. The landscaping of our environs has led to an imposition of order, such as the even distribution of trees and the introduction of foreign plants, which are contrasted to the process of natural selection. The regular spacing of each granite node and the representation of the “tree trunk” with steel bars in the artwork demonstrate the dominance of rationality over random nature.

In her catalogue, The Changing Landscape, Han has written: “Urban and agricultural ecosystems are particularly prone to invasion by exotic plants and animals which become dominant, causing massive damage to native plant and animal communities. Their destructive impact includes their ecological distinctiveness and their potential for competitive displacement, disease transmission and genetic swamping.”

Han Sai Por (b. 1943, Singapore) is one of Asia’s leading modern sculptors and was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1995. She has participated in numerous international exhibitions and projects around the world, including the Singapore Biennale 2016. Her works can be found in many international institutions, public space and private collections from Singapore, Malaysia, India, China, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States. Educated in both fine arts and landscape architecture, Han has channeled both passions into a body of work that makes significant comment about the changing landscape.

Image courtesy of Ministry of Communications and Information

Jaafar Latiff, Unspoken Dialogue I, 1998 Batik 89 x 215 cm Singapore Art Museum Collection On display in the Sheares Room

Jafaar Latiff is amongst the most prominent practitioners of the Batik medium in Singapore. Breaking through the confines of conventional practice of the medium, Unspoken Dialogue I draws on formalist design attributes to render batik in a modern light. The work highlights the artist’s command of the discipline, as the abstract piece challenges notions of batik as a solely traditional medium and lends the work a contemporary edge whilst maintaining its distinctive regional flavour.

Jaafar Latiff (1937 - 2007, Singapore) is a self-taught artist who has been actively involved in the local art scene since the 1960s. Heavily influenced by abstract expressionism, the artist integrated conventional batik techniques with his dynamic, non-objective designs, creating contemporary batik works that challenged preconceived notions of the largely traditional medium. Recognized internationally as a leader in the discipline, Latiff’s work has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions locally and abroad.

Annex A3 Write-ups and artist biographies for Istana Art Collection artworks on temporary display

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Wee Shoo Leong, Daching, 1991 Oil on Canvas 90 x 113 cm Istana Art Collection

Carefully arranged in harmonious fashion, the composition of Wee’s works highlights his belief in a harmonious existence. Set against the flat backdrop of a wall, the individual shapes and forms of each object is emphasized, while the rendering of each item meticulously describes its surfaces, textures, and detail. Daching, places at the forefront key themes that have permeated Wee’s practice – presenting stillness and quietness that speaks of balance, concord and peace

Wee Shoo Leong (b. 1958, Singapore) is an artist who graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1979. Identifying with a philosophy of simplicity and bliss, Wee often selects objects that hold significance to him for his carefully composed and executed paintings. His dedication has won him accolades such as UOB’s 1984 Painting of the Year as well as the 1st Commonwealth Foundation Fellowship from London.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Lim Hak Tai, NAFA - St. Thomas Walk, 1956 Oil on Board 56 x 66 cm Istana Art Collection

Following the closure of the original Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in an old two-storey shophouse at 167 Geylang in 1941 due to the start of the Japanese Occupation, the school was reopened in 1946 at a new address – 49, St Thomas Walk. The works of Lim, like numerous other artists of the the Nanyang Style brought together the Western and Chinese painting traditions they were exposed to in their works. This painting, rendered in bold patches and strokes of colours and accorded with free flowing lines, features Lim’s indebtness to Western painting traditions; perhaps notably the School of Paris.

Lim Hak Tai (b. 1893-1963, China) was one of Singapore’s pioneer artists and art educators proficient both in Western oil painting as well as Chinese ink and calligraphy. As the founding principal of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, that espoused a dual-curriculum of Chinese and Western painting traditions, he was also one of the key proponents of the Nanyang style of art in terms of technique and subject matter. In recognition of his contributions to local art, the government awarded him the Sijil Kemuliaan (Certificate of Honour) as part of Singapore’s first National Day Awards in 1962.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Jessie Lim, Soft Rock 2 (Series of 2), 2012 Ceramic 15 x 20 x 16 cm 17 x 17 x 16 cm Istana Art Collection

Jessie Lim successfully uses a wide range of ceramic techniques, incorporating natural materials like granite chips and black volcanic sand into her works. In her making of both functional and sculptural objects, Lim takes delight in playfully attributing visually incongruous qualities to her ceramic pieces and leaving them open-ended for interpretation from the viewer. Soft Rock’s organic form suggests a soft and comforting texture that stands in stark juxtaposition to the hard and robust qualities of ceramic objects. It implores the viewer to experience her works not through sight alone but touch as well.

Jessie Lim (b. 1954, Singapore) began her journey with ceramics with the creation of bowls, vessels, and numerous functional objects. Honing her skills over numerous programs at institutions abroad, including Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, Rhode Island School of Design, and others, her objects took a turn to the sculptural as she continued with her exploration of forms. Her works have been exhibited widely in Norway, Sweden, China, Thailand and Japan. She has taught ceramics at School of the Arts (Singapore), LASALLE, and the National University of Singapore.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Oh Chai Hoo, Anticipation (4), 2009 Ceramic 27 x 19 x 19 cm Istana Art Collection

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Oh Chai Hoo, Anticipation (5), 2009 Ceramic 34 x 27 x 14 cm Istana Art Collection

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Oh Chai Hoo, Anticipation (6), 2009 Ceramic 34 x 27 x 14 cm Istana Art Collection

An artist working across varied mediums, Oh Chai Hoo showcases his dexterity with ceramics in these pieces. Despite being a self-taught ceramicist, Oh was one of the founders of the Nanyang Clay Group, as well as its Chairman for two terms. In his manipulation of the clay, the artist brings forth varied textures in these organic forms. In these pieces, the juxtapositions of the varied textures are brought into harmony, reflecting the artist’s philosophy of balance in life.

Oh Chai Hoo (b. 1960, Singapore) is a multi-disciplinary artist working across painting, sculpture, and seal carving. His quest for a more expansive means of self-expression has set him to hone his craft across these numerous mediums – with his proficiency in these mediums placing him as committee members across various art societies, including, the Siaw-Tao Chinese Seal-Carving, Calligraphy & Painting Society, and Sculpture Society of Singapore. He has exhibited alongside artistic luminaries such as Chen Wen Hsi and won prestigious awards including the Highly Commendable Award for Abstract Medium in the 18th UOB Painting Competition, Singapore.

Annex A4 Write-ups of select Istana Art Collection highlights, currently not on display

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Chen Wen Hsi, Herons, undated

Ink and colour on paper 138.5 x 34.2 cm Istana Art Collection

Chen Wen Hsi (1906 – 1991) was one of Singapore’s preeminent artists, with his place in local art history assured by his association with the Nanyang style, along with other seminal figures such as Cheong Soo Pieng and Liu Kang. This artwork in the Istana Art Collection, titled Herons, is testament to Chen’s enduring interest in Chinese ink and aesthetics.

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Ho Ho Ying, Untitled, 1964 Oil on canvas laid on board 74 x 109.5 cm Istana Art Collection

Ho Ho Ying (b. 1936, China) was one of the first artists in Singapore to adopt what was then the avant-garde technique of gestural abstraction (in the manner of Pollock, who had begun producing his now famed drip paintings in the late 1940s). He was also one-time president of the Modern Art Society, and his inclusion in the Istana Art Collection – like Chen Wen Hsi’s – demonstrates its support of earlier generations of pioneer artists.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Joseph McNally, Counsellor II, 1987 Bronze with red patina Dimensions variable

Brother Joseph McNally (1923 – 2002) remains a much beloved figure for entire generations of Singapore’s artists: not only teacher and friend to many, he also founded LASALLE College, one of the country’s most important art schools (along with the Nanyang Academy). This sculpture suggests McNally’s role as a mentor, and the Istana Art Collection’s preservation of his memory.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Jane Lee, Fetish Series – Green, 2012 Acrylic paint, acrylic heavy gel on canvas 120 x 120 X 7 cm

Jane Lee (b. 1963, Singapore) is one of Singapore’s most successful contemporary artists. The Istana Art Collection has acquired works not just of earlier generations of artists, but also contemporary ones like Lee. Her Fetish series is justly celebrated; her work was most recently included in the Singapore Art Museum exhibition, “Medium at Large”. Along with figures like Ian Woo and Jimmy Ong, Lee represents a more contemporary sensibility within the Istana Art Collection.

Image courtesy of National Heritage Board

Lim Tze Peng, Singapore River (Elgin Bridge), 1979 Chinese ink and colour on paper 86.2 x 177.8 x 4.3 cm

Chinese ink painting remains alive and flourishing in Singapore, and Lim Tze Peng (b. 1921, Singapore) is one of its leading lights. In this artwork, his depiction of a contemporary scene – in the 1970s – pays tribute to the role of the Singapore River as the painterly symbol par excellence of Singapore, a motif which maintained such pre-eminence over the years that it occasioned the so-called “Great Singapore River Debate” of the ‘70s and ‘80s, in which local artists stood accused of romanticised repetitiveness in their deployment of the river as a pictorial motif. Aesthetic responses to the debate included Cheo Chai-Hiang’s 5’x5’ (Singapore River) and Teo Eng Seng’s The Net. Annex B

About the lstana Art Collection Advisory Committee

The Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee was established in September 1994, at the request of then-President Ong Teng Cheong after the restoration and renovation of the Istana. The Committee is to identify and recommend the acquisition and commission of artworks of aesthetical value and historical significance for the Istana Art Collection, which will also be displayed in various spaces within the Istana, including the Istana Grounds, lobbies and function rooms.

Current Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee (since 1 June 2014)

Chairman Ms Jane Ittogi Chair, Singapore Art Museum

Members Mr Ahmad Mashadi Head, National University of Singapore Museum

Dr S Chandrasekaran Head, McNally School of Fine Arts, LASALLE College of the Arts

Ms Chong Siak Ching Chief Executive Officer, National Gallery Singapore

Dr Suriani Suratman Senior Lecturer at Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore

Mr Teo Han Wue Member of the Acquisition Committee of National Gallery Singapore

Istana Representatives Mr Benny Lee Principal Private Secretary to President

Mr Sunny Seah Head (Istana Programmes and Household), President’s Office

Secretariat Singapore Art Museum

Annex C

FOR ON-SITE MEDIA INTERVIEWS PROFILES OF ARTISTS AND ISTANA ART COLLECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

ATTENDING ISTANA ART COLLECTION ARTISTS

Sarkasi Said Available for English and Malay interviews

Sarkasi bin Said (b. 1940), also known by his moniker Tzee, is one of Singapore’s most established batik painters of international renown. Rising to prominence in the 1970s during a nation-wide search by the National Trades Union Congress for a dress representative of the nation, he acquired the sobriquet “The Baron of Silk” for his portrayal of the Singapore orchid. Sarkasi is noted for his unconventional use of a wax-resisting technique, utilising bold use of colours in his vibrant depictions of nature; taking a contemporary approach to the traditional art of batik painting. In May of 2003, the Singaporean artist set a Guinness world record for the world’s longest batik painting.

Peh Eng Seng 白荣盛 Available for Mandarin interviews

Iskandar Jalil Available for English and Malay interviews

Ong Kim Seng 王金成 Available for English interviews

Eminent watercolourist Ong Kim Seng (b. 1945) is the former president of the Singapore Watercolour Society (1991 to 2001), a Cultural Medallion winner (Visual Art) in 1990, and winner of six awards from the prestigious American Watercolour Society. As a realist painter, Ong’s works focus on inanimate objects, architectural form, masonry, foliage and landscape. A self-taught observer, traveler and passionate learner, Ong Kim Seng has climbed the ranks of formal appreciation to claim his title as one of the most celebrated watercolourists of our age, gaining international renown and staking his claim as a modern-day cultural treasure.

Lim Yew Kuan 林友权 Available for Mandarin interviews

Jessie Lim 林真洁 Available for English interviews

Jessie Lim (b. 1964, Singapore) received pottery training at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, USA in 1983 and took up summer pottery courses at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1984. Over the years, she continued to hone her craft, attending the Korean Ceramics Biennale and training at La Meridiana, the International School of Ceramics in Tuscany, Italy. Her works range from contemporary sculptures to pots and platters to installation pieces. She has exhibited in Norway, Sweden, China, Thailand and Japan. Oh Chai Hoo 胡财和 Interview language: Mandarin

Oh Chai Hoo 胡财和 Available for Mandarin interviews

Oh Chai Hoo (b. 1960, Singapore) is a multi-disciplinary artist renowned for his use of heavy calligraphic strokes and foil collages in his works. Adventurous and experimental in his quest for fusion between different media, his innovations include using Japanese kimono inks on rice-paper, and calligraphy carvings on foil-layered teak. He is an artist with a deep passion for establishing a balance in life and expressing that notion through a wide range of medium and styles. He has won prestigious awards including Highly Commendable Award for Abstract Medium in the 18th UOB Painting Competition, Singapore.

Wee Shoo Leong 黄树良 Available for Mandarin interviews

Wee Shoo Leong (b. 1958, Singapore) is an artist and teacher who graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore, in 1979. His works are easily identifiable from its stillness and quietness which speaks of balance, concord and peace. He believes in a harmonious existence, and his paintings are executed with care and control. Wee won UOB’s 1984 Painting of the Year and was awarded the 1st Commonwealth Foundation Fellowship from London.

ATTENDING ISTANA ART COLLECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Please note that all interview requests for the Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee members will need to be pre-arranged, prior to the event on 20 June.

Chair of the IACAC:

Jane Ittogi 珍一藤木 Chair, Singapore Art Museum and the Istana Art Collection Advisory Committee

Attending members of the IACAC:

Chong Siak Ching 張雪倩 Chief Executive Officer, National Gallery Singapore

Ahmad Mashadi Head, National University of Singapore Museum Available for English and Malay interviews

Dr. Suriani Suratman Senior Lecturer at Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore

Teo Han Wue 张夏帏 Member of the Acquisition Committee of National Gallery Singapore