Singapore Magazine, July ¨C September 2005 Issue
Published July 22, 2005
My Singapore: Home From The Outside
On Sept 11, 2001, the day of the US terrorist attack that shook the world, I was just 3 km away from the World Trade Centre. That terrible event taught me that life is a privilege, not an entitlement.
The first two calls that got through the busy networks to me really put my ties to Singapore in perspective. In the state of chaos, the earliest call was from the first boy I had ever gone out with. He was watching the news from his Thomson Road flat and immediately thought of my safety. The second call came from the Singapore Permanent Mission to the United Nations, trying to account for every Singaporean in this metropolis.
I was grateful to receive both calls: my people were looking out for me.
Where Inspiration Strikes
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Despite the fact that I have never had any formal art training and that I¡¯m not a US citizen, I¡¯ve received six scholarships to different art schools over the last two years to work alongside prominent American ceramicists in a number of sculpture programmes.
To my relief, paper qualifications are secondary to portfolios, and there is a greater willingness in the US than in Singapore to support emerging artists.
Being at the centre of this art mecca inspired me to spearhead a multimedia group exhibition for Singaporean artists in New York earlier this year. Personal accomplishments are sweet, but to forward Singapore¡¯s profile in the international arts arena as a group is a worthy endeavour.
Changing Values
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The mindset that art is frivolous is a mindset the Singapore Government has to take the lead in changing, by placing more emphasis on art education. How does one become an artist if a society only values doctors, lawyers, bankers and engineers? I believe our society can learn from the Americans who value creativity and have a generous support for the arts.
What¡¯s equally important is that we value and promote our own local artists, wonderful as it is to see works of foreign talents at the Esplanade. It would be a shame if Singapore artists feel that they have to go abroad to develop themselves and gain an audience for their work.
Ceramics appreciation in Singapore is not yet at a level where artists like myself can survive on our art solely. We lack the facilities and the community support. When I return to Singapore, I hope to change that.
Notwithstanding, I have learned to focus on what I love most about Singapore and New York, embrace their similarities and differences - and call both cities home.
Wee Hong Ling, a ceramic artist, was working as a NASA research fellow when she discovered her latent creative energy and passion for ceramics.
