The prestigious Joseph Balestier Award for the Freedom of Art was awarded to an artist based in Myanmar who had been up to win the honor for three years in a row. The award, which is given by the United States ambassador to Singapore and the head of Art Stage Singapore, consists of $15,000 to a worthy artist. The other two artists who were up for the award seemed to happily cede their chances to win, seeing as how the actual winner was so worthy.
The Myanmar artist promised to share the money award with the surrounding community, intent on promoting art education for children. Although the ambassador is on his way out in the face of a new U.S. presidential administration, he said that he believed the art award would continue even after his exit.
The art writer who attended the ceremony got the chance to continue to enjoy art following the ceremony, which was held at the U.S. embassy. A nearby hotel was hosting three separate individual art showings by Singapore artists. The glitzy opening also featured cake alongside the hobnobbing of a veritable who’s who in Singapore art.
The day after the award presentation, Art Stage Singapore opened its doors to thousands of visitors. The art writer joined the masses walking among the gallery and artist booths of the enormous art show, which is arguably the biggest art event all year in Singapore. While walking around, the art writer happened across an art administrator from Indonesia, who confirmed that a new art museum in the country will open in time to be in conjunction with a pair of biennales in Indonesia.
Later, the art writer attended an awards ceremony at the Singapore Art Museum for notable art featured in the Singapore Biennale, which featured a theme of “An Atlas of Mirrors.” An artist from Thailand netted the $27,000 top prize, with a Singapore artist also receiving special recognition. A number of glitzy after parties with food and drink options abounded, as well as regular offerings in beautiful hotels and night spots around Singapore.
Celebrate all things art in Singapore by signing up for an art class via SGArtClass.com. Browse the wide variety of art classes offered through this comprehensive website, including 3-D art, Chinese ink painting, digital art, and many more. Whether you’re interested in bolstering your already existing art skills with the help of a professional instructor, or if you’re curious about developing a fun, new hobby, teachers for the art classes are well trained in offering effective instruction and advice for students of all ages and abilities. Teachers will be able to adapt to your busy schedule and meet with you whenever you’re available. They will also be able to lead you on projects you’re most interested in, whether it’s completing artwork for class assignments, making gifts for loved ones, or simply having fun on a night when you have nothing else to do.
To read more about the award and reception, go to https://www.artforum.com/diary/id=65934.