Opening Doors for the Differently Abled

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    ​empowering the d​ ifferently abled 
  
    completed artworks, we will 
explore possibilities of 
  “OUR  commercial viability.  
We are 3 junior  MISSION IS 
college school  TO ENABLE  Our aim is to lift 
mates who  THOSE   their artistic profiles 
re-connected  WHO ARE  and help them 
through class  DIFFERENTLY  achieve some form 
reunions and are  ABLED &  of financial 
drawn to each other  ARTISTIC”   independence.  
and bonded by our   
passion for Art.     
A CO-PARTNER 
Each of us run our own  VENTURE  Gerhard Richter  
careers but we have also  once said:​  
collaborated in 2 major art  In our midst, are three artists 
exhibitions , one at the  on the Autism Disorder   
Singapore University of  Spectrum (ASD).  
Technology and Design and  “Art is the  
the other at Chinatown  Each of us will  highest form  
Heritage Centre.​    ‘adopt’, ‘shadow’  of hope.” 
and ‘mentor’ one of 
We work full time as  them .    
professional artists. We sell 
our paintings and take on  We will co partner them to   
commissions. In addition, we  create works of art. With the 
have created    

and marketed our art on   
merchandise and they are  
 
sold commercially at various 
retail points and also at our   
online shops. W​ e have been 
blessed by individuals and   
institutional clients and 
helped much by angels in our   
journeys and we want to give 
back by embarking and   
embracing a new direction.  
 

 

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    ​empowering the d​ ifferently abled 

MENTORS BEN     In March 2019, a 
GLACY SOH  new company 
  GlacySohArt 
From observation to  Designs Pte Ltd 
expression, from life to  have been completely sold  was incorporated to 
still life, Glacy Soh lays  out. Her range of  look into the 
onto canvas her  merchandise can be  retailing side of 
interpretation of home,  purchased at The   business.  
Singapore.  
  Counting among her 
Using oils, water color, ink  illustrious clients are 
and chalk, she evokes the    institutions, corporations and 
essence of a patchwork of  individuals who appreciated 
cultures through a wide range    the bespoke quality of the 
of subjects, from birds to  end product.​ Her corporate 
flowers, from landscapes to    clients include Singapore 
buildings. G​ lacy paints on  Management University, 
commissions and also  Fullerton Shop, Chinatown  Singapore University of 
shares her art through  Heritage Centre, Battle Box  Technology and Design, 
merchandise that make  Visitor Centre, Rumah Kim  National University of 
meaningful gifts and  Choo, Haw Par Villa Visitor  Singapore, Singapore Armed 
practical keepsakes.   Centre, Gift By Changi Airport,  Forces, Methodist Girls’ 
Jewel and her ​Online Shop​.  School, United Overseas 
“Sketches of  Bank, Changi Airport Group 
Singapore” is a  GlacySohArt incorporated in  and more.  
series of artwork of  Dec 2015, is an art company 
landmarks and  that deals in paintings,   
iconic symbols of  commissioned artworks or 
Singaporean culture  designs and customized   
imprinted on  designs. The design arm is 
coasters and  supported by 2 graphic   
placemats.   designers, both 
Singaporeans, based in NZ  Facebook : glacysoh.Art 
To date, 5 Editions have since  and USA.   Instagram : glacysoh.art 
been launched, of which two   www.glacysoh.art 
  [email protected] 
   
   
   
 
 
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    ​empowering the d​ ifferently abled 
 
 
  
 
MENTORS CHRISTIAN 
    
 
YOKE YING 
piece is like a part of meditation and self - 
Doing what I love and following  discovery— learning patience, at times pushing 
my heart. My art journey began with a  boundaries and testing new waters.   
doodle here and a splash of colours 
there, many years ago.  I hope to use my works to convey the beauty 
and richness of life and things around us. 
Colours, contrasts, organic 
forms and textures inspire    
me. Childhood memories and 
places I have travelled to also   
shaped my works. 
 
   
I enjoy experimenting with 
colours in different media    
to capture the ambience    
and emotions of a certain time   
and place.    
Watercolours, oils and mix 
media are my favourite  Follow my art journey on 
medium. Another passion I  ​Facebook: Yokeying.Art+Silver 
have is silversmithing.   
Instagram: @yokeyingc  
Perhaps it was the vivid images from my 
childhood – of craftsmen in my grandfather’s  4   
goldsmith shop which drew me to take up 
silversmithing – especially using the lost wax 
cast method. Wax carving allowed me to 
create textures and organic designs for my 
silver jewellery. 
 
Being able to paint and work with silver has 
been immensely satisfying and enriching. 
Creating happy, sometimes quirky and 
whimsical pieces gives me much joy.​ For me, 
the process of painting or making a silver  

    ​empowering the d​ ifferently abled 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MENTORS DOUGLAS 
JOYCE TAN 
I paint with my heart.   
There is an Eden in all of us. We visit it   
in moments of true joy and when we 
dream in spirit.   
 
Whenever I feel sad or in   
need of transportation, I   
look to nature. Through   
most of the art I create,   
you can see interesting 
elements that you may   
connect with. 
     
I started oil painting in earnest in my fifties. My  Uncover Glimpses of Eden at 
first attempts were exhibited at the ​2016 
Angelico Art Award​ ( an art competition that  glimpsesofedenart.com 
seeks to explore and experience the  www.facebook.com/glimpsesofeden   
integration of faith and artistic endeavour). In  www.instagram.com/glimpsesofedenart 
2017, I marked it with t​ wo exhibitions ​at the 
Singapore University of Technological Design  5   
(April) and the C​ hinatown Heritage Centre 
(August). 

My oil paintings are a response 
to the world of colours and 
words from the Good Book. I 
adore nature, verdant greens, 
wild poppy reds, azure seas and 
vivid sunsets as they open your 
soul to creativity.  

It is my hope that each new season brings 
restoration for what the "locusts" have taken 
from our lives and that​ you will find joy and 
respite in my art!   
 

    ​empowering the d​ ifferently abled 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE MENTEES   However, his fascination with colors, music 
Artist : Ben Koh   and the freedom of the great outdoors 
remained key features. He relishes music, 
It was 27 November 1986 that Ben  swimming and taking his daily walks.  
came to be the pride and joy to his 
parents. However, 9 months later, he  Art is not easy because of his 
suffered infantile spasms and was  limited motor skills and 
diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis  co-ordination but Ben loves it. It 
Complex.  is the best way for him express 
his love for life. A life no one 
Since then, Ben has  should ever deny Ben. 
been on anti-seizure 
drugs daily. ​When  Milestones 
Ben was 5 years old, 
he was diagnosed  ● “Lanterns to My Heart” Art Exhibition 
with Autism  at Chinatown Heritage Centre 
Spectrum Disorder.​  
His parents made  ● Temasek Foundation Cares Video on 
every effort to ensure  World Autism Day 2019 
he had a happy 
childhood but his social skills and interactions  ● “Art without Boundaries” feature of 
were lacking.  Ben’s works by Dr Jennifer Camulli 

Being an only child, Ben was fortunate enough  6   
to grow up attending special needs school and 
even be home schooled under an Applied 
Behavioral Analysis Program when his parents 
were posted abroad.  

Although Ben is able to communicate his basic 
needs verbally. he tends to more vocal with 
familiar faces, especially mum. After settling 
back to Singapore in 2002, Ben attended St 
Andrew’s Autism Centre. 

Like any child, Ben’s interest evolved from 
spinning objects to picking up metal screws 
and batteries to watching YouTube.  

      ​empowering the d​ ifferently abled 
   
 
 
 
THE MENTEES   
Artist: Christian Tan 
 
 
 
 
  Special, an only child; precious, born 
to loving parents on 2 Oct 1994. His 
parents struggled even as he grew up 
as a toddler. Christian could never 
give them his full attention. His gaze 
would always wander, showing 
fascination for things that spun and 
lights that caught his attention. 

His parents’ greatest fears were confirmed 
when he was 4. He was diagnosed with 
autism.​ Unlike most children he began to 
  speak only when he was 8 years old. His 
parents then enrolled him at Metta School, 
where he stayed till he was 18. He learned to 
bake and began showing an interest in 
drawing. ​ He loved to draw buses and traffic 
lights. These were very special drawings with 
great details – even the bus wheels had the 
bolts drawn in.  

As with every teenager, he enjoyed the 
attention of the girls in his baking class. He 
loves the activities and social interaction at 
VSA (Very Special Arts)​, an organisation that 
teaches art to handicapped persons.  

Today, he will proudly show you his 
accomplishments displayed in their premises. 
This has inspired him to want to be an Artist. 
An ambition rooted in the talents of someone 
  as special as Christian. 

 

 

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    ​empowering the d​ ifferently abled 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
THE MENTEES 
Artist: Douglas Leong    
Tung Seng 
Education (2011-2012). He graduated from 
Temasek Polytechnic with Diploma in 3D 
interactive Media and Design in 2016 

His love for art has not changed. 
Throughout his studies, Douglas 
continued to draw and his art pieces 
were exhibited in several art 
exhibitions:- 

Douglas was diagnosed with autism   
when he was 3 years old. Determined 
to overcome all odds, his parents put  ● ITE NODE (2012) 
him through 2 years of home-based  ● ONE NATION PRIDE @ PARCO (2012) 
behavioral therapy. It all paid off when  ● DIVERSITY (2012) 
Douglas started speaking at the age of  ● THE EVERYDAY ART EXHIBITION AT 
seven. 
DBS (2013) 
From young, Douglas has had a keen interest  ● THE PURPLE PARADE (2015) 
in art. He likes to draw detailed pictures of  ● DELTA CHAPTER BY THE KIWANIS 
drum sets, trains and buildings. H​ is first 
exhibition was at the international Art Expo in  CLUB (2017) 
Kuala Lumpur (​ 2007).Two years later, he   
picked up acrylic painting. ​He paints buildings 
with bold and bright colours, characteristic of   
his friendly and extrovert nature. 
 
When his family moved to Singapore, they  8   
enrolled him in Northlight School(2008) and 
went on to pursue an NITEC in Mechanical 
Technology at the Institute of Technical