SPEECH BY RADM (NS) LUI TUCK YEW, ACTING MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, AT THE OPENING OF ‘PAINTING WITH LIGHT & SHADOW – A 50-YEAR CHRONICLE’, ON TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2009, 7:00PM, AT NGEE ANN CULTURAL CENTRE
Mr. Tan Lip Seng
Mr. Tan Kien Lip, Vice-President, Ngee Ann Kongsi
Mr. Ang Hoon Seng, Committee Chairman, Ngee Ann Cultural Centre
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
A very good evening to everyone, and thank you for inviting me to join you at the opening of Painting with Light & Shadow – A 50-Year Chronicle.
2 This exhibition, part of the Singapore Art Show 2009 that was launched just last Friday, showcases a cross-section of nearly 400 prints tracing the evolution of Mr. Tan Lip Seng’s photographic style and achievements over the past half-century. I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to Mr. Tan on his visually compelling trove of photographic prints on display at this exhibition.
3 This year, we commemorate Singapore’s 50 years of self-governance, and it is highly significant that with this exhibition, Mr. Tan has also vividly captured Singapore’s cultural heritage over the last 50 years, leading us on a journey through his unique photographic perspective. Featuring both prize-winning past works and more recent ones from the last decade, this exhibitionis a celebration of his photographic practice that he has developed and refined over the years.
4 Acclaimed both locally and internationally, some of Mr. Tan’s accolades include, to name just a few, the Cultural Medallion for Photography (1985), the Fenton Medal (1998), Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society (1970) and Fellowship from the Photographic Society of America (1999). Well-known for his colour-transparency derivation images, he was in the list of the World’s Top Ten Colour Slide Exhibitors from 1969 to 1988. His works have also been collected and housed permanently in Austria, Australia, and, of course, Singapore.
5 Artistic excellence requires long-term vision and commitment. Mr. Tan’s perseverance and appetite for new experiences, I hope, will inspire younger generations of photographers and artists towards experimenting, honing their skills, and striving to realise their dreams. With the marvels of technology today, virtually anyone can take a photograph easily, but it takes a sense of artistry combined with a keen eye and an openness to new experiences that distinguishes a master photographer from the rest. Hence I am delighted that Mr. Tan has contributed as an advisor to several photography societies and clubs in Singapore and overseas, generously sharing his experiences with younger photographers.
6 I would like to congratulate Mr. Tan Lip Seng once again for his achievements over the past five decades and successfully holding this solo exhibition, as well as for his active contributions in helping to add vibrancy to our arts and cultural landscape. Indeed, I look forward to more years of artistic contributions from Mr. Tan. I also wish to thank Ngee Ann Cultural Centre for their strong support for the arts and artists.
7 It is now my pleasure to declare the exhibition Painting with Light & Shadow – A 50-Year Chronicle open. Thank you and have a pleasant evening ahead.