Synopsis:

Cultural medallion winner Ong Kim Seng has imparted his mastery of watercolour to a dedicated group of students who paint with him on a weekly basis. Come 24 March 2018 to 1 April 2018, their works alongside his will be on display at artcommune gallery.

Titled Travels With My Teacher, the 6th student-teacher exhibition will feature a variety of vivid watercolour paintings by 48 of his students. Their fascination with light and transparency of the medium are reflected in an amalgamation of scenes from their plein-air painting trips locally and abroad, such as Bali, Nepal, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and most recently, Tibet.

Ong is an ardent trekker and first visited Tibet in 1988 to paint. The output of his inaugural trip was documented in the book, Overland Tibet. Forever up for a challenge, he has taken his students once again in September 2017 to relive the scenes and capture the moments via paintings.

"Most people have called me crazy when I told them I planned to take a group of students to high altitude peaks, not to sightsee, but to paint. Adapting to the rarefied air and painting in the "roof the world" is no mean feat but we have overcome the odds and wish to share the fruits of our labour with everyone via this exhibition", said Ong.

With the aim of subverting the misconception that art appreciation is only available to the upper echelons of society, Ong and his students also hope to bring their art to the masses. They will be targeting promotions in heartland communities and organizing two Meet-The-Artist sessions, whereby 100 exclusively autographed art prints of Potala Palace in Tibet will be given to attendees on a first-come-first-served basis.

A firm believer of giving back to society, all proceeds of Ong's original Potala Palace painting will be donated to the National Kidney Foundation. The Official Opening Ceremony will be graced by Bennett Neo, CEO of F&N and NKF Board Member.

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Dates of exhibition : Saturday, 24 March 2018 to Sunday, 1 April 2018
Timing : 12.00 – 7.00 pm daily
Venue : artcommune gallery, 231 Bain Street, #03-39, Bras Basah Complex

Meet the Artist Sessions
Dates : Saturday, 24 March 2018 and Sunday, 25 March 2018
Timing : 2.30 – 5.00 pm
Venue : artcommune gallery, 231 Bain Street, #03-39, Bras Basah Complex

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About Ong Kim Seng
Ong Kim Seng (b. 1945) is a self-taught artist who has been painting full-time since 1982. He works primarily with watercolours and was the first Asian to be admitted to the American National Watercolour Society. Further, he has served as the President of the Singapore Watercolour Society from 1991 to 2001. Since then, Ong has been nominated as their Honorary President.

His collectors include Queen Elizabeth II of England, Prime Minister of the People's Republic Of China, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, President of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, President of the Republic of the Philippines, Prime Minister of Japan, Prime Minister of India, the Governor of Hokkaido, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Maritime Museum, Agung Rai Museum and Neka Museum (Bali, Indonesia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Foreign Missions and Embassies of the Republic of Singapore.

Ong has been an Art Advisor to the National Arts Council since 1998 and is a life Fellow of the National University of Singapore's Centre of the Arts.