Art luminaries to judge 13-19 Art Prize

RENOWNED painter and Cultural Medallion recipient Ong Kim Seng is set be one of the judges of the 13-19 Art Prize, a new youth art competition that raises money for The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF).

Teenagers aged 13-19 residing in Singapore are invited to create either paintings on canvas or digital artworks, which could win them cash prizes up to S$800. The winning works will then be placed in a silent auction, and proceeds will go towards socially-disadvantaged youths of BT BAF.

To date, the art prize has attracted about 340 registrations from youths across Singapore. The closing date for registration is

Oct 30. Artworks must then be submitted to organiser TRCL between Nov 15 and 19, with the announcement of winners released on Dec 8. (Go to www.therice.sg for more details.)

Mr Ong will judge the paintings on canvas, along with fellow judges Yeo Tze Yang, a fast-rising young painter; David Chan, a mid-career artist with many plaudits; Chris Churcher, owner of the 20-year-old REDSEA Gallery on Dempsey Hill; and Tan Siu Li, an independent curator who formerly worked for Singapore Art Museum.

Meanwhile, for the digital art category, the judging panel comprises of ZXEROKOOL (aka Jonathan Leong), a digital artist with a strong following; Terry Lee, owner of the 20-year-old Art Seasons Gallery on Genting Lane; Ken Tan, an international creative who is currently senior director of programming and producing at Arts House Limited; Tulika Ahuja, an independent curator and writer who specialises in immersive digital shows; and Tan Siang Yu, an award-winning filmmaker and educator.

Mr Ong, who is the first Singaporean to be conferred membership by the American Watercolour Society, says: "As someone who has received the support and encouragement of a teacher and mentor in my younger years as an amateur artist, I am honoured to be able to do the same for this next generation of artists through the 13-19 Art Prize. I look forward to seeing all the talent that our young artists in Singapore have to offer."

The Arts House's Ken Tan has worked with arts organisations from New York to Tokyo. He says: "Having your work seen by people is great, but being able to do something with your work is even more important. I think what the 13-19 Art Prize is doing, by empowering these young artists in Singapore, while also giving their art a purpose by raising funds for young budding artists, is extremely meaningful and I'm privileged to be a part of it."

The respective panels had been selected to reflect their specific expertise and experience in evaluating either traditional canvas art or digital art.

Submitted artworks will be judged based on concept, creativity/originality, aesthetic quality (design, composition and colours) and technical skills.

The contest is organised by TRCL, is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity with Institution of a Public Character status. TRCL manages the BT BAF, The Business Times' namesake charity, which provides free arts lessons for hundreds of socially disadvantaged children in the belief that the arts help boost their social, emotional and intellectual development.

Genii Koh, chairman of the 13-19 Art Prize Organising Committee and board member of TRCL, says, "We are privileged and honoured to have the support of the 10 judges who are leading professionals in their respective fields in our arts community. Their contribution will help nurture our next generation of artists."

• The 13-19 Art Prize is open to all young persons aged 13 to 19 residing in Singapore. For more information, visit www.therice.sg. Closing date for registration is Oct 30.