Art exhibition to pay tribute to Singapore

Singapore

TO mark Singapore's 50th year of independence, Chinese artist Zhang Xihua and 19 of his Singapore students are holding an art exhibition titled "Singapore's Glorious Journey".

Inspired by Singapore's accomplishments and evolution since 1965, the 20 artists have taken to brush and canvas in the past year to express their appreciation for how this country has turned out and their personal journeys in discovering Singapore.

The exhibition is also a salute to the country's founding fathers, in particular, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who features in several of the works.

The more than 60 pieces will also be for sale, with part of the proceeds going to charity.

Zhang, a graduate of the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in China's Liaoning province, came to Singapore 20 years ago. His art studio is on the bank of the Singapore River.

Six of his paintings will be featured in the exhibition; they were inspired by his struggles through life, including his incarceration during the Cultural Revolution and growing up amid poverty.

His 19 students range from art teachers and professionals to retirees, whose ages range from 20 to 80. Some have witnessed the transformation of Singapore over the years, from its pre-independence days to the thriving metropolis of present day.

One of them, Lee Chiew Keok, said: "Each piece is unique. The process of painting is continued learning and creation. If you like a piece of art, it will give you joy each time you look at it.

"This is why I paint," she added.

Jean Ho May Sian, another student, painted the late Mr Lee in an oil-on-canvas piece titled "Father of Our (Tiny) Nation".

She said: "Art to me is a form of self-expression. It is my desire that I help others at the same time, so the proceeds from the sales of my work are donated to charitable organisations."

The paintings are priced from S$1,000, and range from works with allegorical themes and scenes of Singapore life to still-life pieces. Some of the proceeds from their sale will go to charity organisation Club Rainbow, which serves children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

The exhibition will be held at ARTrium@MCI from July 25 to Aug 2, 10 am to 7 pm daily.