A well-rounded Singapore-based artist has designated $10 million to go into an art fund that will award deserving artists around the world with money, a gold medal, and a poem.
Tan Swie Hian’s fund is virtually unprecedented in Singapore, especially with its scope. Tan said that he wished to leave a lasting legacy in place prior to his death, and that he has been pondering ways to give back to the art community he has been a part of for many years. A talented artist himself, Tan has seen success with large-scale works, poetry, sculpture, painting, and even calligraphy. He is a true example of being a multi-faceted creative mind.
One of the artist’s large paintings is an interesting rendering of a portrait of a couple. A man and woman stand casual and relaxed in the center of the large canvas, painted accurately but a little abstractly — not true to photo. In the background, however, things get interesting. There are rows of written characters, a riot of different line work, and blotchy and mixed colors that almost take on a dreamy watercolor effect. Another painting by Tan sold at auction for millions of dollars, and depicts the moon rising above a tree, reflected in a body of water below. This masterpiece is loosely rendered with visible brushstrokes and an almost impressionistic take on a landscape. Foliage represented with dashes and dots seem to reflect movement, as if the branches of the trees are being swayed in a gentle nighttime wind. In the water where the moon is reflected, the artist has included lines of text that blend into the blue of the water.
Tan is currently working with lawyers on securing the award’s future, and then he’ll pick the judges to help select the recipients. Tan, who is in his 70s, has practiced Buddhist meditation for the majority of his life. Doing so has helped him become more contemplative about how he can give back to the world around him. He has also sold several paintings at records prices for Singapore art. Tan also won a coveted award for his art while in Singapore.
Find your own connections to art by enrolling in an art class today. Visit SGArtClass.com to browse the many art classes available to take. Whether your interest lies in acrylic painting, Chinese ink painting, portrait drawing, nail art, or comic drawing, there is sure to be a class to inspire your creative side. Whether you’ve taken some art classes before and want to refresh your knowledge or if art is something completely new to you, expert teachers are on hand to give you the background knowledge and skills necessary to complete projects that you can help decide on. Teachers can also work around your schedule and meet where it’s convenient for you — even in your own home.
To read more about Tan Swie Hian’s contribution to the arts, go to http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/local-artist-tan-swie-hian-sets-up-10-million-global-artist-award.