1
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]
3
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.
7
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