“My heartiest congratulations to Mr Goh on the opening of #GBK85. I hope that your exhibition will inspire many Singaporeans and bring communities together,” wrote President Halimah Yacob on Thursday (May 19).
Mdm Halimah was the guest of honour at the landmark solo exhibition #GBK85 of pioneer-generation artist and Cultural Medallion recipient Goh Beng Kwan. Together with other dignitaries, the President cut the ribbon during the ceremony held at the grand lobby of Conrad Centennial Singapore.
Mr Goh, now 85, is an inspiration as well as a living legend for many younger artists in Singapore. Art has been his lifelong passion.
In the 1950s, he was taught by first-generation senior artist Chen Wen Hsi at Hwa Chong High School. He never gave up on his dreams of being an artist, even though he failed the final exam of his Art class.
Mr Goh studied at the Arts Students League of New York from 1962 to 1966, holding his first solo exhibition at the Ruth Sherman Gallery in that city in 1965.
While he found success in New York, he nevertheless came back to Singapore to take care of his ageing parents.
In 1982, his work “The Dune” won the first UOB Painting of the Year, and the artist received the Cultural Medallion in 1989.
#GBK85 spans the decades-long career of the artist, featuring 80 of his works along with new Augmented Reality (AR) works viewable through the ArtAF app.
The exhibit runs from May 20 to May 29. Tickets are available through Eventbrite, with a portion of each ticket to be donated to the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH).
Mdm Halimah said that the artist’s “lifetime of creative achievement… has made our nation proud and inspired generations. Art enriches each of us in different ways. It can create a sense of wonder, challenge perceptions and assumptions, or provide enjoyment. Art brings communities together, uplifting our spirits and giving tangible expression to our heritage, values, and identity.”
“I believe art is meant to be shared, and I thank Madam President and the National Arts Council for the support they have shown over the years,” said Mr Goh, who added that “As society turns more and more towards technology, so does art. I am excited to keep my practice current through technology, particularly AR and NFT, and thought collaborations with the rising generation of Singapore artists.”
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mdm Halimah called Mr Goh, “a renowned Singapore pioneer artist who has devoted his life to making art, Mr Goh is an inspiration to many young artists in Singapore…”
“… #GBK85 showcases 85 of Mr Goh’s works, marking a milestone for the 85-year-old Cultural Medallion winner.” /TISG
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