Students and teachers from Anglican High, Cedar Girls’ Secondary, Yio Chu Kang Secondary, Catholic Junior College and La Salle Art College thronged Earshot Restaurant at the Arts House, waiting to congratulate the winners at the SPLAT! Art Exhibition Launch.
It was also an occasion celebrated by UNIFEM Singapore President Saleemah Ismail and aidha Director Pia Bruce, who echoed the artists’ sentiments about their artwork. Addressing the audience, Ms Saleemah said, "The painting is really each one of you…you’re all born with strength and to be phenomenal. Take this painting as your inspiration because you’re all born with intelligence and beauty. Shine from this platform…”
Guest-of-Honour Ms Penny Low, Chairman, Government Parliamentary Committee (Information, Communication And The Arts), and Member of Parliament (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), was equally impressed with the artists’ representation of Womanhood. Unveiling the winners’ artworks, she stated, “We are here to celebrate a cause – Femininity: daughter, mother, grandmother, domestic worker. Oftentimes, women carry a lot more on our shoulders...it is something we should celebrate, not resist.”
The winning entries of SPLAT! reflected strength, courage, positive thinking and beauty of women, in the artists’ eyes. Winner of the 1st prize, Tay Ai Ming, said that her painting entitled “Strength” was inspired by an elderly cleaner-lady who always sits outside the public toilet. Ai Ming said that she was amazed at how much effort the aunty puts in to earn minimum wages and she wants her peers to be aware of such unsung heroes.
The other winners include Chia Hui Jun Natalie, "The Lady Of Burma", Ong Wan Ying Andrena, "Source Of Life", Amalina Bte Azmi, "I'm A Woman", and Kavitha Gunasekara, "Beautiful Me".
No tools were spared for this art platform. In the words of Mr Augustine Chan, co-organizer of the SPLAT! project, “We are here to bring talented artists together. It is an expression of talent plus reaching out to the community”.
UNIFEM Singapore congratulates all the artists who have participated in SPLAT! and thanks the organizers and volunteers for the hard work. You guys truly brought the house down!
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