Forum on Notable Artist Liu Kang to Commemorate Centennial Year of His Birth

To commemorate the 100th year of the birth of important artist Liu Kang, a forum titled Liu Kang: Tropical Vanguard will be held on Saturday, 2 April 2011. The forum seeks to trace Liu Kang’s significant influence and contributions to Singapore’s art history. 

Jointly organised by the National Art Gallery, Singapore, Global Chinese Arts & Culture Society and Lianhe Zaobao, the forum brings together a panel of established artists and scholars to discuss the local and international perspectives of the artist. Famed for his Balinese-themed figurative paintings, Liu Kang’s many facets as a leader and visionary of the Singapore art community will also be covered.

The panel of speakers at the forum includes Professor Lin Xiang Xiong (林祥雄教授), Research Fellow at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, President of the Global Chinese Arts & Culture Society, and editor of Liu Kang: Tropical Vanguard 《拓碧先锋: 刘抗》(2000); Ms Toshiko Rawanchaikul (寿子女士), curator at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, and research specialist on Southeast Asian Art; Professor Li Yi (李一教授), calligrapher, researcher and lecturer at Graduate School of Chinese National Academy of Arts and editor of Art Observation 《美术观察》 magazine; Professor Tan Siah Kwee (陈声桂教授), calligrapher, Cultural Medallion recipient (2000) and founding president of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore and Dr Lien Lian Sze (连亮思医生), whose father, Lien Shih Sheng, is a recipient of the Meritorious Public Service Award (1963) and close friend of Liu Kang. For the full list of speakers and programme, please refer to Annex A.

Liu Kang: Essays on Art and Culture, a collection of essays written by the artist, will be launched during the forum. This anthology of essays written over 44 years offers insight into the artist’s myriad interests, including interior design, music, literature, dance, photography, medical science and visual arts. Available in both English and Mandarin, it includes commentaries to help readers appreciate and understand the breadth of his content. Snapshots of Liu Kang’s life – travel, art making and people - are also featured.

Director of The National Art Gallery, Singapore and moderator of the forum, Mr Kwok Kian Chow, said, “Liu Kang was a guiding figure in the development of Singapore’s art scene. A first-generation Nanyang artist, he played a significant role as a leader of the Singapore art community and helped to shape the local art scene. This forum is a timely tribute given that this is the centennial of his birth. We are deeply honoured to have with us a panel of distinguished speakers from the art community providing valuable insights on the artist and his artistic journey.”

Mr Lim Jim Koon, Editor of Lianhe Zaobao, said, “As one of Singapore’s more significant artists, Liu Kang’s devotion to his craft and his contributions to the art community are immeasurable. As an ardent supporter of local arts and culture, Lianhe Zaobao is indeed honoured to co-organise this forum to commemorate this remarkable artist.”

Art enthusiasts and members of the public can also learn more about the artist in a Liu Kang exhibition scheduled for July 2011. Featuring 200 of his artworks, the exhibition will be organised by the National Art Gallery, Singapore, at the premises of the Singapore Art Museum. More information on the exhibition will be released at a later date.

Liu Kang: Tropical Vanguard will be held at Singapore Press Holdings News Centre Auditorium on Saturday, 2 April 2011 at 2pm. The forum is sponsored by Innovation Fund Limited. Admission is free. Two dialogue sessions – one in English and the other in Mandarin will be conducted. Interested participants can register online at www.nationalgallery.sg.

Annex A

List of speakers

Mr Lim Jim Koon has been Editor of Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore Press Holdings Ltd’s flagship Chinese newspaper since January 1995. He also oversees zaobao.com, the online edition of Lianhe Zaobao, which ranks among the top Chinese news websites in the world. Mr Lim is an advisor to the Centre for World Chinese Media Studies, Peking University and an adjunct professor at both the Singapore Institute of Management and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in the National University of Singapore.

Dr Liu Thai Ker is an architect-planner and currently serves as Director of RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd. Dr Liu has made outstanding contributions to Singapore in his role as the former Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Development Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority in Singapore. He is also the Adjunct Professor of the School of Design and Environment and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. In the cultural arena, he served as the Chairman of the National Arts Council and Singapore Tyler Print Institute.

Mr Zhang Qing Shan, born in April 1952 in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, graduated in 1975 from the Chinese Department of Fudan University, Shanghai. He is currently the Chinese National Academy of Arts’ (CNAA) Party Committee Secretary and Assistant Director, as well as a member of the National Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage Experts, Deputy Head of the CNAA’s Academic Council, President of the Society of A Dream of Red Mansions, Chief Editor of Studies on A Dream of Red Mansions, a researcher and a PhD advisor. With a long-time research interest in classical Chinese novels, Mr Lim is the author or editor of works like Casual Discussions on A Dream of Red Mansions, On the Characters of A Dream of Red Mansions, and The Collated, Punctuated and Annotated Journey to the West. He is presently one of the major organisers and promoters of academic activities in China centred around A Dream of Red Mansions.

Mr Kwok Kian Chow is Director of the National Art Gallery, Singapore. A board member of the International Council of Museums’ (ICOM) International Committee of Modern Art Museums and Collections, Mr Kwok is an active member of many public art, visual arts and art education boards and committees, including the UOB Group Art Committee and the Art Advisory Panel of the Land Transport Authority. Mr Kwok was awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France in 2002 and Officier of the Order in 2009.

Prof Li Yi, born in Qufu, Shandong, in 1957, was conferred a PhD degree in 1996 by the Chinese National Academy of Arts (CNAA). He is currently a researcher at CNAA, a PhD advisor, Chief Editor of Art Observation, Deputy Head and Chief Secretary of the Chinese Artists Association’s Art Theory Committee, a board member and Academic Committee member of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, as well as a member of the Art Committee of the Central Research Institute of Culture and History. Adept at theoretical research and calligraphy, he has written and published many books, amongst which An Outline of the History of Ancient Chinese Art Criticism has been conferred the Outstanding Scientific Research Achievement Award by the Chinese Ministry of Culture. In addition, Prof Li has held a solo calligraphy exhibition at the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) in 2005. His works of calligraphy are collected by both NAMOC and the Palace Museum.

Prof Lin Xiang Xiong is presently Chairman of Innovation Fund Limited, President of the Global Chinese Arts & Culture Society, and a Research Fellow at the Chinese National Academy of Arts. Prof Lin published Liu Haisu in Singapore in 1987, and is the editor of Tuobixianfeng – Liu Kang (2000), a book about the life and art of Liu Kang. In 2003, he was appointed as Chief Planner and Chief Advisor (Culture and Art) for the Beijing Olympic Village for 2008 and served as the Overseas Chairman for the 6th International Forum on Chinese Culture in the 21st Century in 2010.

Mr Wang Yong from Beijing was born in 1945. A painting aficionado since childhood, he graduated from Peking University's Department of Eastern Languages in 1967. In 1981, he graduated from the University's Institute of South Asian Culture Studies with a Master’s degree in Indian Art. From 1983 to 2005, Mr Wang worked at the Art Research Institute of the Chinese National Academy of Arts (CNAA), where he served as Deputy Director at one time. He is currently a researcher at CNAA, a PhD advisor, and a Visiting Professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, engaging mainly in research on the history of Indian art and of the interaction between Chinese and foreign art. He also plays a role in contemporary Chinese art criticism, and was involved in curating, among other shows, the Beijing International Art Biennale. His main works include Indian Art, Indian Miniatures, Transplants and Mutations: Artistic Exchanges between the East and West, Rodin, and Van Gogh. In addition, he was Chief Editor for The History of Artistic Exchanges between China and Elsewhere and Art History of the World (Volume I), and has translated A Brief History of Indian Art.

Mr Yow Siew Kah is an educator, writer and researcher in the history of visual images. He has written a number of articles on Singapore art, and is a contributor in two forthcoming publications on Liu Kang by the National Art Gallery, Singapore.

Ms Toshiko Rawanchaikul is Curator of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (FAAM) and research specialist on Southeast Asian art. She was curator of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum exhibition Nanyang 1950 – 65: Passage to Singapore Art (2002).

Mr Teoh Kian Hoon was the Chief Leader Writer and Opinion & Editorial Editor of the Nanyang Siang Pau in Malaysia. In 2010, he was the first Malaysian recipient in the field of journalism to receive an award from the Fo Guang Shan monastery in Taiwan. He also worked as a researcher at the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies from 2001 to 2005 in Malaysia.

Dr Lien Lian Sze is a gynecologist and the son of Lien Shih Sheng, a prominent literary figure in Singapore between 1950 and 1960, recipient of Meritorious Public Service Award in 1963, as well as close friend of Liu Kang.

Dr Chua Soo Pong is an anthropologist and ethnomusicologist by training. He is the Founding Director of the Chinese Opera Institute and Artistic Director of the Singapore Chinese Opera Performing Ensemble. He was the President of World Dance Alliance (Singapore) from 2005 to 2007, and taught at the Nanyang Technological University between 2002 and 2006 and National University of Singapore between 1980 and 1988. Dr Chua is also the Founding Director of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts School of Performing Arts (1999-2000) and the first Senior Specialist (Performing Arts) at SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SPAFA) (1989-1995). Dr Chua was the editor of Performing Arts, the first journal on the arts in Singapore, published by the National Theatre Trust, from 1983 to 1989.

Prof Tan Siah Kwee is a renowned Calligrapher in Singapore. He is also the Founder and President of the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore (CCSS). Prof Tan was also appointed a Lecturer of Chinese Calligraphy at the Centre for Chinese Language and Culture, NTU, and at the Department of Chinese Studies, NIE. In 2000, Prof Tan is the recipient of the prestigious Cultural Medallion in Art.

Programme