Release No.: 2O/NOV 04-2/85/11/09

SPEECH BY MR.WONG KAN SENG, MINISTER OF STATE (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT)AND (COMMUNICATIONS& INFORMATION), AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE GEORGETTEMEN RETROSPECTIVE, FIFTH IN THE SERIES OF 'PIONEER ARTISTS OF ' EXHIBITION AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUMART GALLERY ON SATURDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1985 AT 2.00 PM

This is the fifth in the series of exhibitions entitled "Pioneer Artists' Exhibition" jointly organised by the Ministry of Community Development and the National . The series was introduced in 1981 to recognise the valuable contributions made by our pioneer artists to the development of in Singapore.

A further objective is to highlight the works of prominent pioneer artists who have made a significant impact on the local art scene. We owe these pioneer artists much for their relentless effort in promoting and popularizing aesthetic education and in paving the way for the develop- ment of aspiring artists. One could appreciate the great devotion and the personal sacrifices they made especially in the 40's and 50's when aesthetic education received little or no attention from the Government then.

Georgette Chen, born in France in 1907, came to Singapore in 1953 when she was already established as an artist of international repute. Trained in , New York and , her works reflect a subtle blending of both occidental and oriental influences. She specializes in still life paintings and landscapes. Her works are vibrant but never gaudy. The lines are definite and clear-cut, reflecting a sharp intellect with an artist's eye that discriminates the extraordinary from the mundane. Her paintings have been exhibited in many galleries and in Paris, and are keenly sought by collectors in Paris, New York, Shanghai, , Singapore and elsewhere.

Georgette Chen taught art at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts from 1953 until her retirement in 1981. Besides being a prolific artist herself, she trained and guided many young local artists some of whom achieved prominence locally and abroad.

In order to allow a larger number of , particularly those who do not have any knowledge of the visual art, to appreciate and enjoy Georgette Chen's works, the Ministry has made special arrangements for a number of art historians and educators to be on hand to explain the intricacies of her works. Such arrangements are necessary In popularizing and appreciating the arts. I hope that similar arrangements could be made for exhibitions organised by art organisations. If done regularly and with imagin- ation, this would broaden the base of art lovers. It would then help in achieving our aim of creating a cultured society.

The organising of trade fairs and book fairs has been successfully used in promoting trades and the book- reading habit in Singaporeans and elsewhere. Local art organisations should explore the feasibility of organising a Large scale annual "Art Fair' to further promote the interest in art among Singaporeans. Such fairs should aim at arousing the interests in art among the people. help raise the level of art appreciation among them and make art works readily available and within reach of every family. l

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This is one of the measures which the artists and art organisations could take in supporting the Government's effort in creating a culturally vibrant society. The Ministry of Community Development would assist in obtaining permits from various government departments, but the Initiative and organisational efforts must come from the art organisations, dealers and other interested parties. For example, the newspaper groups could help sponsor the fair. I believe that an annual art fair would help stimulate the development of an active and thriving art market which would in turn lend significant impetus to the flowering of the visual art in Singapore.

It is with great pleasure that I now declare the "Georgette Chen Retrospective Exhibition" open.

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