Honouring the contributions of Singapore's modern artists

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

1. Good evening. It is my great pleasure to join you here, at the opening of the 'Transcend' Art Exhibition.

Contributing to Singapore's identity through art

2. At MCCY, we endeavour to strengthen national identity and pride, so as to inspire the Singapore spirit. We value the arts and heritage as an important part of our identity, as well as in its ability to bring people from diverse backgrounds together.

3. This exhibition will showcase the work of 12 eminent artists, many of whom are among us today. You played a pivotal role in the development of modern art in Singapore, and contributed to our national identity through your artistic creations. Please join me in giving all of you a big round of applause. Congratulations on your exhibition!

4. Many of you were mentored and inspired by our pioneer generation of artists, painters such as Cheong Soo Pieng, Chen Wen Hsi and Liu Kang. Building on the artistic legacy you inherited from these first generation artists, you galvanised Singapore's modern art movement.

5. For example, Mr Ho Ho Ying and Tay Chee Toh, who are exhibiting here today, were two of the seven artists who founded the Modern Art Society in the early 1960s. The Society sought to encourage artists to create work with a renewed outlook relevant to the times. In 1963, its founding members held the first Modern Art exhibition at the National Library. This marked a significant point in Singapore's art history, and I am happy to note that modern art in Singapore has grown from strength to strength.

6. The diverse artistic expressions in the works on display also bear testimony to the artists' commitment to innovation and creativity through their careers. This exhibition pays homage to the inspiring and lasting impact our artists have made on the development of Singapore's art history. And I would like to commend them for their tireless contribution towards the vibrant and diverse arts scene in Singapore.

7. Alongside the pursuit of excellence by artists, the state and art institutions also played a part in supporting and showcasing art of the times. In the 1970s, the National Museum of Singapore was exhibiting art curated by Choy Weng Yang, another modern artist exhibiting here today.

8. Our visual arts scene has continued to flourish, supported by an expansion of our arts infrastructure. Singapore's first dedicated national art museum, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), opened in 1996. And earlier in April, we announced a revamp of the SAM to meet the needs of our artists. We can all look forward to a bigger and better SAM by 2021.

Creating shared experiences in our Art and Heritage institutions

9. The arts and culture are a great way to bring people together. We want to reach out to younger audiences, to encourage a shared appreciation for Singapore's multicultural identity. To do this, we have been working with the Ministry of Education to develop structured student visits to our local arts and heritage institutions, including the National Gallery. This will allow more students from diverse backgrounds, from all backgrounds, to enjoy Singapore's vibrant arts and cultural scene. These visits also offer an opportunity to learn about artistic heritage, and through the artwork, learn about shared values that define us as Singaporeans.

Conclusion

10. In conclusion, I would like to express my congratulations and warmest appreciation to the curator Iola Liu and the 12 artists; Ho Ho Ying, Low Puay Hua, Thang Kiang How, Choy Weng Yang, Swee Khim Ann, Thomas Yeo, Leo Hee Tong, Sim Pang Liang, Tan Ping Chiang, Tay Chee Toh, Chieu Shuey Fook and Lim Leong Seng, for organising this significant exhibition for us to learn, experience and appreciate your wonderful works, as well as to walk down the journey of modern art in Singapore together.

11. I hope all of you here, ladies and gentlemen, have a wonderful evening and a wonderful time exploring this exhibition, and be inspired by the wonderful works that are on display here today. Thank you very much.