A special insert from the Embassy

Overseas Singaporean Communities in New York and Washington DC Meet President SR Nathan

About 300 living in President Nathan the New York Tri-State Region, told the Singapor- and more than 250 Singaporeans in ean communities in Washington DC and the neighbour- the two cities that ing states of Maryland, Virginia, he always looked West Virginia, Delaware, North forward to interact- Carolina and Pennsylvania turned up ing with Singapor- to spend their evening with President eans whenever he SR Nathan in New York and Wash- travelled. Besides ington DC respectively. The recep- updating them on tion in New York was hosted on 2 the latest develop- June 2010 by the Singapore Perma- ments and happen- nent Mission to the United Nations ings back home, President SR Nathan with Overseas Singaporeans in Washington DC and the Overseas Singaporean Unit, President Nathan while the reception in Washington said that Overseas Singaporeans will and capture the moment on camera. DC was hosted on 4 June 2010 by always remain a dynamic and integral They also exchanged news with fel- the Singapore Embassy. part of the Singapore society and low Singaporeans over their favourite urged everyone Singaporean dishes which included to keep in touch satay and chicken rice. with home and If you would like to be kept one another. informed on future events organised Many partici- by the Overseas Singaporean Unit pants took the in the US, please sign up as a opportunity member at the Overseas to chat with Singaporean Portal at http://www. the President overseassingaporean.sg/

President Nathan with Overseas Singaporeans in New York

Singaporean Sojourners

Mr Tan Wee Lit considered himself the “black sheep” of his family when he decided to choose the path less trodden, a route which was often considered to be uncertain — the Arts. • Wee Lit obtained his Bachelors of Fine Art (Sculpture) from LASALLE-RMIT, and worked in Singapore for a couple of years before heading to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 2006. • Wee Lit returned to Singapore in August 2009. He is currently an educator and with the School of The Arts Singapore (SOTA), teaching Sculpture, Concept Development and Drawing while juggling his own artistic practice. Wee Lit also works with other members of the Visual Arts Faculty to design a multi-disciplinary curriculum. • Wee Lit is also in the midst of executing two commissioned works of sculpture for the West Coast Circle Line Station and the East Coast Park in Singapore, after winning the Grand Prize for the 3rd Singapore Sculpture Award. Full interview > > > Singaporean Sojourners An Interview with Tan Wee Lit

What prompted you to go overseas? What brought you back to Singapore? To be based overseas at some point was I had all along knew that I would return one of the things that I have always want- to Singapore for good, no matter how ed to do. Coming from a lower-middle great the opportunities in the United class family, this dream was a far-fetched States might be. one until I received the Media Develop- In addition, Chicago was, for me, too ment Authority (MDA) scholarship. much of a transient place where your so- cial circle was always on the move from How did you keep in touch with city to city—either for work, for school what was happening in Singapore? or for their spouses. My close ties with For the arts scene in Singapore, I have my family also played a big part in my been very blessed with supportive peers decision to return. in Singapore who feed me with informa- tion about competition and exhibition What are your views on the devel- Tan Wee Lit opportunities. opments in the arts and culture Regular Skype conversations with my scene in Singapore? What do you hope to see in the family also kept me updated on news My young students’ enthusiasm and insa- development of the arts and culture that were not covered in the online news tiable thirst for knowledge are extremely scene? sources. gratifying and have rubbed off on me posi- It is important to continue to establish tively. You can detect how much it means our own voices internationally. With a What were some of the highlights for them to hear us (teachers) talk about school like SOTA, you will soon have during your overseas stint? our experiences and struggles in this fi eld. your next surgeon or electrical engineer who can differentiate Impressionism Receiving the news about winning the It is also gratifying to see more efforts from Cubism. That will substantially Singapore Sculpture Award in 2007 and being put into the Visual Arts with the raise the art literacy level of the general with it, to do a public sculpture for East establishment of SOTA and the inaugu- public. The challenge then is to sustain Coast Park, was one. ration of the Singapore Biennale, even and whet the appetite of the hungry, in The other highlight was receiving an though they generate less economic continuing to establish the contemporary invitation for a solo exhibition from the returns compared to the performing practices of today through development, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago arts. While the role of the National Arts funding and logistical support that will (MCA) shortly after my graduation show Council will continue to be pivotal in fuel and propagate the growth of the Arts. in 2008. I was told that it was uncommon terms of funding support, the consider- for the MCA to offer an exhibition space able shortage of independent galleries What advice do you have for Singa- to a “fresh” graduate, and much less to a and spaces for emerging artists will be poreans who are considering come- foreign one. the constraint. ing back to Singapore? What did you miss most about Sin- I remembered this practice of apartment I fi nd this a tricky situation for Singapor- gapore? galleries in Chicago, where someone ean artistes who are working overseas. would always be willing to fi nd an apart- While Singaporeans acknowledge and Other than the food, I missed the cleanli- ment with a bigger living room, just so ness and effi ciency of things, being the applaud your achievements, they would that they could showcase their works or lament that your contribution to Singa- spoilt Singaporean that I was brought up those of an emerging artist. It is highly to be. The process of negotiating phlegm pore ‘remains distant’. They think that unlikely to happen here with the high it would be better for you to return to Sin- “mines” on train platforms in the United running costs and limited space avail- States was something I quickly grew ac- gapore to raise the profi le of the local arts able. More spaces like the Substation and scene as well as inspire the next generation. customed to. Post-Museum where artists can get their Some of my peers see returning to works shown will be great. What were the challenges living Singapore as a failure when one could overseas? take the opportunity to emigrate after For me, it was the language. Even with- having studied overseas. But I beg to dif- out speaking , my pronuncia- fer. There will always be pros and cons. tion, enunciation and intonation of the More importantly, different priorities and differed greatly from responsibilities at different stages of our the . lives shape and affect our decisions. Micro-managing my fi nances was a chal- My advice is to take full advantage of the lenge too. I soon found myself collecting opportunities that are available to you grocery discount coupons to get the most while you are overseas, and return when out of my weekly grocery budget. the time is right for you. One of Wee Lit’s artworks “A Living Legacy”