| THE STRAITS TIMES | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2019 D Cultural Medallion The award, which recognises the Too little, too late: Is contributions of artists, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. How does winning the accolade help artists and the the prize still relevant? community? Ong Sor Fern Senior Culture Correspondent Any mention of the Cultural Medal- lion is often accompanied by the de- scriptor “the highest arts accolade in Singapore”. But dig deeper and one soon finds that the Medallion draws mixed re- actions from the arts community. While Cultural Medallion recipi- ent and arts educator Thirunalan Sa- sitharan, 61, believes the award is important, he adds bluntly: “There are many artists who, I know for a fact, think it’s just a piece of worth- less metal.” Choreographer Angela Liong, 67, who was awarded the medallion in 2009, says that the starry cere- mony conferring the award at the Istana is akin to “what Andy Warhol says is your 15 minutes of fame. Af- ter that, it (the medallion) is kind of chucked away in a corner”. This year marks the 40th anniver- sary of the medallion, which was es- tablished in 1979 by then-Minister for Culture Ong Teng Cheong as a way of recognising the cultural con- tributions of artists. To commemo- rate the occasion, the National Arts Council (NAC), which administers the award, has invited poet Profes- sor Edwin Thumboo to pen a poem to be recited at tonight’s ceremony. Composer Eric James Watson is the 126th recipient and will receive and awarding of the medallion, and Composer Eric his award from President Halimah too little effort devoted to what James Watson A Westerner with interest Yacob. The practice of holding the comes next. is the 126th ceremony at the Istana and having He cites a whole list of “after” con- recipient of the the President confer the medallion siderations: “How can we feature Cultural in South-east Asian music was established in 2006 to signal their work more, make use of their Medallion and the prestige of the award. experience and knowledge to nur- will receive his Over the years, there has been ture the next generation of young award from much debate over the meaning of artists? We should make use of the President the medallion. Sasitharan himself, a recipients to create impact for Sin- Halimah Yacob After nearly 30 years in Singapore, shire, the conductor who studied with often say, ‘Wow, we wish we former journalist, questioned its gapore arts overseas too.” at the ceremony composer Eric James Watson has music at the renowned Trinity Col- had this where we come from.’ Sin- worth in a 1989 commentary head- There have been attempts to ad- at the Istana developed some very Singaporean lege in Cambridge arrived in Singa- gapore now is setting the stan- lined “Measure Of The Medal”. dress such issues. There is a Cul- tonight. ST PHOTO: habits. On returning home, his com- pore in 1991 because of his love, not dard.” Nonetheless, he is a firm believer tural Medallion Speaker Series in ALPHONSUS CHERN fort food is char kway teow. for music, but for his Singaporean As a Western musician who has in- in the need for an arts award in Sin- schools, but this is on an ad hoc ba- “Don’t remind me about the wife: “Her parents were in Penang. corporated Asian elements into his gapore: “The significance of it, the sis, depending on school requests cholesterol,” he says wryly. And they made me promise when I work, Watson is also aware of the worth of it and the standing of the rather than a regular series. Like any self-respecting Singa- married her that I would bring her thorny issues of cultural appropria- medallion is very, very important. The Cultural Medallion Fund was porean foodie, he enjoys eating at back every year. We didn’t get to go tion as people become more sensi- Materially, the medallion hasn’t introduced in 2001 to offer recipi- the kopitiam: “That’s one of the anywhere else.” tised to such questions: “You have made much difference. Symboli- ents funding to continue their things that form society in Singa- Singapore became home base for to respect certain boundaries. I’m cally, it is significant. Most impor- work. The initial amount of pore.” the Watsons also because he had be- not a gamelan composer, nor would tantly, it represents a bar – not of $50,000 was increased to $80,000 Then there is the weather: “I was gun to develop an interest in South- I claim to be. But as a composer, I the value of the work of the person, in 2007. According to the NAC, half back in the United Kingdom in Janu- east Asian music. The couple, who think how would a gamelan instru- but the standing of art, the place of the recipients have tapped the fund ary. It was snowing and I felt like have no children, set up a musical ment fit into what I’m writing? Mu- art, in the community itself.” to further their work. turning around and coming right theatre company and Watson re- sicians have always played other This symbolism, carrying with it But as Cultural Medallion recipi- back.” calls that it was hard to make a liv- people’s music. Borrowing is not prestige and recognition, may be ent and playwright Haresh Sharma The 73-year-old Singapore perma- ing as a freelance musician in his the same as appropriation.” important, but artists and arts in- points out, recipients have to sub- nent resident is this year’s Cultural early years here. He observes that artists will always dustry veterans The Straits Times mit proposals with a budget and Medallion recipient and is being “The best way to describe the mu- find ways to bridge gaps and through- spoke to say that more must be keep accounts in order to draw honoured for his career as a com- sic scene was that it was nascent,” out his career, he has worked with done for the recipients after the from the fund: “I’m very lucky I poser and music educator. he says with a smile. The classical musicians whose language he may glitzy ceremony is over. have a full-time company. I can ask He has written works for both the music scene was healthy as the Sin- not understand but with whom he Singapore Chinese Orchestra ex- (The Necessary Stage’s general Singapore Symphony Orchestra gapore Symphony Orchestra was al- could communicate through music: ecutive director and Nominated manager) Melissa (Lim) to help me and the Singapore Chinese Orches- ready established. “The only way we are going to find Member of Parliament (NMP) for out with this, be my pair of eyes and tra. As the composer and music di- “It was a struggle. I started doing balance in the world today is to work the arts Terence Ho, 50, who has manage the budget. If you’re a sin- rector of the 2001 National Day Pa- a lot of advertisements for televi- with other people.” sat on the selection committee for gle writer, you can’t even get be- rade, he arranged for four orches- sion. That was the bread and butter. He is chuffed to receive the the Cultural Medallion, says: yond the proposal.” tras, including Indian and Malay en- And I did concerts, a few with Cultural Medallion and adds: “It’s “When you confer them with the sembles. Now teaching at the Singa- singer Frances Yip,” he remembers. an affirmation that the contribu- Cultural Medallion, what’s next? pore University of Social Sciences, Now, he says contemplatively, tion I’ve tried to make is recog- What happens?” MORE ASSISTANCE FOR he has also taught at Singapore’s the scene has grown “exponen- nised. It’s a great honour and I can’t Too much effort, he says, is dedi- RECIPIENTS WHO DEVOTE main art institutions Lasalle Col- tially” with more musicians, more help but be happy and pleased cated to the nomination, selection LIFETIME TO ARTS continued on D2 lege of the Arts and Nanyang Acad- performances and more venues: about it.” emy of Fine Arts. “The standards are extremely high Born in Wales but raised in York- and the external examiners I work Ong Sor Fern.