Veteran painter Christine Mak raises funds for BT BAF with never-before-seen artworks

[SINGAPORE] Art collectors, rejoice: One of Singapore’s most acclaimed artists has returned to the spotlight with never-before-seen works – and not only are they for sale, but their proceeds will go to charity as well.

After years out of the public eye, Christine Mak is staging a major exhibition that opened on Tuesday (May 26) with 40 original artworks spanning Chinese ink brush paintings, collages and mixed media compositions. 

From the 1980s to the 2000s, Mak was a prominent name in art circles; she was known for her sold-out shows, with collectors buying entire exhibitions on opening nights.

Her latest showcase, Collected Chapters, matches the quieter presence she has maintained in recent years with an introspective look at her own practice and life.

Priced between S$1,000 and S$10,000, each artwork offers both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers a chance to acquire the work of an artist celebrated for her distinct fusion of modern Chinese brush painting and Western techniques.

Each sale helps children and youth from underserved backgrounds access the arts, too, through The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF).

Managed by non-profit The Rice Company Limited (TRCL), the fund was built on the belief that no child should be denied access to the arts because of financial hardship. 

Since its establishment in 2005, BT BAF has nurtured the creativity and confidence of more than 25,000 beneficiaries, investing in generations of artists, musicians, dancers and storytellers through its programmes.

“Every artwork in Collected Chapters represents a moment, memory or experience from different chapters of my life,” said Mak, whose numerous accolades include the UOB Painting of the Year Award (1996) and Philip Morris Asean Art Awards (1995).

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“It is deeply meaningful to see these works come together as a fundraising exhibition as a way to support children, youths and individuals who are navigating their own journeys of growth, healing and hope,” she added.

Proceeds from the exhibition will also support The Olive Tree Fund, which runs restorative retreats and programmes that help displaced and disadvantaged individuals. The initiative is managed by New Hope Community Services.

Elaine Tan, TRCL’s director of partnership development, said: “Through Collected Chapters, every artwork acquired helps create greater access to the arts for underserved children and youths, empowering them to discover their creativity, express themselves and build confidence for the future.

“Christine Mak’s return through this meaningful exhibition also reminds us how art can continue to create lasting impact across generations and communities.”

Collected Chapters runs until Jun 5 at the Visual Arts Centre. Admission is free, with all exhibited artworks available for purchase.