Dooms Day is here!!!???!!!

Dooms Day is here!!!???!!!


The Court Baliff was there in the morning at 10 am on the 17th - Thursday.


i told the Baliff that i ceased to be a human being and am part of the artworks - The Goh Chok Tong collection. This was because i was being treated insensitively and inhumanly.


i told the Baliff i will not stop him and told him to proceed with his order.


He wanting to pull me aside, but i told him there is nothing to hide and insist to remain near the doorway with the CNA camera was rolling (unlike Tuesday, the media was not locked outside the gate). He told me he cannot do so as i am in the premise. But i repeatedly told him that i am no long a human being!


The lawyer was summoned. He tried very hard to persuade me to leave telling me that i am a scholar and should not violate the court order as it is criminal. i told him i wished to remain together with work as i am concerned with the reprossessed of my studio, i will have no say on them. He went out to check with his client and returned soon to assured me that my artworks will be carefully moved and i can remain around to supervise the moving. And it will be move by the professional art movers.


By then, the police have been summoned. While i was talking to the lawyer, the client have asked the police to move in! It was the lawyer who stop the police at the door!


The lawyer was nice and keep persuading me to leave while asuring me that my artworks would be treated with care. i was also assured that i can gain access to the storage in the next 4 days and i will have to clear everything by monday noon.



i relented.


The Baliff proceed to seal the premise with a huge lock!


The movers were called.


CNA reporter wanted to interview me. i asked what different are they from News 5. She said 'we are at the same roof.' i then protested to her that i had said many key issues in regards to the cultural policys in Singapore on Tuesday nite - at least 1 hour of the recorded film, speaking at 4 to 5 segments. But i was only given barely 5 seconds of inaudible air time! i asked her repeatedly that is this fair? She asked: 'no!' i then told her i am happy to coorperate with her but she/the editor should air my views. She said she will check with her editor. but she left later without coming back to me. So they will carry the official view only.

The movers arrived in an hour - about 10 men. The frenzy began!

They were professional art mover - Rhema! In beginning, they appeared to be professional. But as the time weared on, especially nearing the end, they were many lapses. They finished at about 21.00pm.

The 2 security guards were 'professional' in executing their job. They stop me deligently in entering into my studio to supervise the movers - as if i am a criminal! All i can do was calling out near the door!

During the moving from my studio - 4th floor - to the containers on the ground floor in the backyard within the premise, i repeatedly told them on the security of this process because i witnessed the boxes of my belongs and the paintings lying around unattended in the different floors of the stairsway! They remained, one constantly guarding the door and the other, most of the time on the 4th floor.

At about 14.00pm, i spoke to 1 of the NAC official, equiring on the handling over and how i will get access to the storage and who is holding the keys. He said he will come back to me. Nothing heard of, i never get to see him again. By 15.00pm, none of the NAC staff were present!

I suppose they have kick me out and careless!

This was a comical episode:

1] the 2 security guards guarding my studio [against my access] when my belongings are being moved out.

2] there were at least half a dozen of NAC officials present on Tuesday nite and Thursday morning. But there were none around to witness the moving process.

3] there is a photographer hired by NAC to 'document' the process from the locking of my studio to the moving to the locking of the storage. but locking without a seal mean nothing.

4] the keys to the storage - 2 containers, were handled over to the administrator of TKS, not a third party, not a security officer.

5]the security even have to escort me out of TKS as though i am a criminal and the photographer taking picture to confirm it.

6] more of things later......................................................

Drama over this artist's studio

Drama??

This is the title of the headline in the front page of the Today Newspaper.

What drama?

Ooh! Perhaps! The LOUD THUNDER that shock the Newsman and woman! But regretably, it was not reported!

Threat!

What threat??

i do not give threat! If i said it, i will do it! And it is Done!

The THUNDER PROTEST on my behalf !!!

According to ZaoBao today, i arrived on 18.30 pm at TKS in the rain. Though the rain wasn't heavy, there was thunders and lighting. One particular LOUD one stroke while i was speaking to the reporters about a dozens of them with photograghers, visibly shocked afew of them!

The Straits Times and Today Newspaper also carried this news. But regretfully, none have put the Thunder strike down!

Accept Reuters, the local media were invited by the NAC as i understood, an official press statement were issued about noon time yesterday. However, they were being locked out the premise - TKS!

???

Regretfully, none of the reports carried this info! It seems like they - the reporters were happily being lock out by their host in the rain and under lighting and thunders!

!!??!!!???!!?

Thank God! The Lighting and THunder protested on my behalf !!!

Security Guards 4 -6 of them, were hire to guard the premise - TKS!

When i stepped into the premise, th lawyer of NAC was the first, th eone and only person to greet me. He than served the Court Injunction to me.

When i moved on into the building, i see more than a dozens of people. When i looked into their faces, everyone turn their head down ar away from me!!!

The curse of Competency ???

The Black curtain is looming ever larger and larger!!!

i was was extremely puzzled and saddened over the last week on the bureaucracy. The lack of empathy and apathy.

i thought i must be alone in this phenomenon. Then...

Today in Today Newspaper carries an article: The Curse of Competency
by CHITRA RAJARAM, Deputy Editorial Director.

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/247807.asp

It touch on the blind Mexican ambassador to Singapore in a recent interview.

"Mr Juan Jose Gomez-Camacho could not have analysed us better. The problem is that we do not want to or know how to deal with the exceptional or unknown. We tend to view everything as black and white while other mature societies can acknowledge and deal with various shades of grey."

It again touch on some of the rigidities of the system.

"the problems arise at the implementation level, where educationists and administrators take on a hard-and-fast stance on following the rules. It translates to a lack of flexibility, non-shifting boundaries and, sometimes, a lack of empathy."

In my present series dealing with the NAC, i have discovered that it may not be just be at the implementation level but further up on the leadership. Refer: http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/singapore-has-good-reasons-in-promoting_2406.html

"These are highly competent people who form the social network of the system, but they are so "rigidised" and caught up with the competency of the system that they cannot see beyond that.
So, while we take great pride in our systems, I am afraid we do not have the same world-class mindsets to resonate with our world-class status."

"Renowned author Jim Collins calls this "the curse of competency".

In his book, Good to Great, he explained that companies need to transcend this curse to go from good to great. He said: "The good-to-great companies understood that doing what you are good at will only make you good; focusing solely on what you can potentially do better than any other organisation is the only path to greatness."

He was talking about companies making the leap. I don't see why our society cannot take a leaf from his book, "transcend the curse of competency" and make that leap."

Can we??

Some years back, i heard a Veteran Cultural Medallion lamenting over his contemplation of going outstation abroad [for 1-2-3 years]. He feared losing his many possessions, including his car. he worried that when he return he may not have a place/studio to work and he may not afford the new COE for his car!

There must be many more of such thoughts.

i have taken the leap to go beyond this shore. It is uneasy. Many times more arduous and burdensome than i have imagined. i am willing to endure.

However, while i am battling abroad, back home, my base camp is been demolished - by the very institution that propagate to support the arts!!!

"Perhaps I am wrong to come to China to build a 'second wing' advocate by your Government in the late 80's/ early 90's." Refer:http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/singapore-has-good-reasons-in-promoting_5868.html

COMPLACENT ?!? Perhaps? Perhaps not !?

What is Complacency?

What is the MM Lee trying to reach at in the interview in the ST last weekend?

Can my encounter with the few 'insignificant' incidents in the last week offer some lights?

1] i flew in on evening on the 2nd of March, Wed. The plane touch down at 20.50pm. By the time it taxied, it was 21.05pm. i called my sister from the free telephone in the main hall of the Airport, who was at the MPS in Marine Parade. She was trying to get a queue number for me. In the mist of registering, she told rush down quickly. When i arrived on the taxi, the minders/volanteers told that she has left! i look for her ouside the MP's office. She said the minders had turn her away!

For details:
http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-mp-dont-know-what-he-can-do.html

a) Have i not been persistance, i would not have met my MP. 1 case less, 1 problem less?

b) i protested : Is this how you turn away constituents who want to meet their MP? 2 of the minders were visual angry.

c) i asked 1 of the minders what is the profession of this MP - Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.
'Medical Doctor' came the answer. Later did the MP correct me that he is no MD but a PhD (Management Sciences)!

d) He was candidly honest and said he don't know what he can do and asked me to call the lawyers. Well, i can't blame him. He is on the first term as a MP.

2] My 'weirdest' telephone conversation ever! with anybody lest to said an official!
http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/weirdest-telephone-conversation-with.html
i am still very puzzled as how this has had occured with a mid/senior level official, a Deputy Director! 3 long silences - the last being timed: 3 mins 19 secs !!! of absolute silence!

3] The Tai Chi-ing of the Lawyer and the Client(NAC).
http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/dooms-day-is-here.html
Who should i believe? Or is it that the Sub - Court officer is not telling the truth?

4] Last nite at MPS, the minders were trying to turn me away too althought i must say, this time is the fault of mine. i was without my IC(misplaced), i showed my driver's licence, it carries no address. i showed the letters addressed to me, but they are not good enough. i said i can go back home to get my passport and return in 10 mins. the minders said i maybe late if the MP finishes early as it was 20.50pm and there is no more people on the queue. i rushed back on my bicycle and returned in 10 mins and there was no more excuses which resulted: http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/dooms-day-is-here_09.html

Am i Complacent? NO!
Can i be Complacent? NO!!
Will i be Complacent?? NO!!!
i CANNOT AFFORD TO !!!

Dooms Day is here!!!???

Today - well, is was yeseterday as this is past midnite - was Meet the People Session by the MP.

The MP on duty was Dr Ong Seh Hong, very personable and pro-active. He was awared of my present plight as i have previously cc my email to him when i wrote to SM Goh.

He was quick to offer to write to the Minister of MICA. i was surely please to hear but at the same time doubtful of any out come as the Honorable Minister have previously intervened fruitlessly.

However, there is no harm trying again.

i requested him to put in 2 key points in his letter of appeal on my behalf.

1] Internationalisation/Globalisation.
In this age of Globalisation, irregardless of whatever trade/profession one is in, there is a constant need to travel. This the universal law at work and the world is getting smaller and smaller, and more closely connected and knited. For artists to have some international exposures and reputes, artists cannot but have to move and have studios and spend time beyond his shore. To deny this is myopic! Not supporting this is mismanagement!

So how can one balance/justify the use?

2] i will spend at least half of my time in Singapore.
NAC claims that this is a 'heavily subsidised' premise with tax payers money. Hence, it has to justify its uses as the premises is 'underused'. It is not my duty to reveal how underused the TKS by other artists. But i can declare that while i was not travelling previously, i was 24 hours at the studio. May i dare say humbly and reservedly, the time i spent/will spend in TKS are far more than many if not most of the other 30 odd artists.

i had even argued for a CCTV to be installed to monitor the traffic in the premise, but NAC is not interested in the whole truth. Refer item 4 - http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-reply-to-director-13-nov-07-re-telok.html

If this fail, i am afraid i have to put my Collection - The Goh Chok Tong Collection [for detail, pls refer - http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-third-letter-to-my-mp-07-oct-07-re.html] into a bonfire.

i will set is date for the BONFIRE to be tentatively on the 15th April as the execution date of the Writ of Possession is on the 17th!

It is 2am and this lump on top of my ballooned head is getting heavier and larger!

Will this be another sleepless nite?!?

Dooms Day is here!!!

The Director of Resourse Development, NAC returned call in the late afternoon.

A clear cut and straight talk of no return! No way of reversing the decision as the book is dead clear on the usage of a 'heavily susidised' premises! And this incident is in the court hand and there is nothing they can do. He was unhappy with me memtioning 'border on hypocrisy?' (Pls refer - http://tankwankliang.blogspot.com/2008/04/singapore-has-good-reasons-in-promoting_3538.html)

Even though i hinted what he last wrote to me (and the Deputy must had told him earlier-as i read the letter to him in the morning), No offer of seeing me or meeting up?!? If this is not hypocrisy? What is?

Earlier on 2 separate occassions(Friday and Monday[?]), while i spoke with the lawyer representing NAC, she stated catogorically that it is now up to the court to deal/issue the proceeding. There is nothing she or the NAC can do to stop this. When i asked her who she spoke/deal with in NAC/the Client? She said she can't tell me, it is confidential!

While i checked out with the Sub Court Bailiff Section, they told me that they are issuing another 'Writ of Possession' to be executed in 10 days time (17th March) on the advise from the lawyer of their Client(NAC)!!!

SO WHICH IS WHICH? Whose words should i belief ?!?

Pardon me for my broken and fractured English. Is this hypocrisy? If not what is this?!?

Returning home, the 'Writ of Possession in slip under the doorway!!!

DOOMS DAY IS HERE!!! THE BLACK CURTAIN IS LOOMING SO LARGELY OVER!!!

The "Weirdest" telephone conversation with an official!

A 31 minutes call to a 'Director' of NAC
with 3 long silence pauses of 2, 4, 3.19 minutes.

i called the NAC many times in the last 4 days but the main number listed in the letterhead has no one answering and the mail box is always full!

Yesterday - 7 April - i called a direct number to reach the Director of Resourses and Development. i addressed him as Mr Lim.

The conversation go on codially. Then, i put to him a query. There was a long pause.

When the voice came back, he asked me to write in if there is anything he can help. i said i have wrote in many times and the last email with no reply. There was again a long silence...................................................very long silence....................................................................very, very long silence........................................easily 3-5 miniutes!!! Exerggerating? Surely not..... read on...

The voice came back, again he asked what he can do to help. i then asked if he wanted me to read his last email to me? He said yes. So i read to him the first paragraph..........

Thank you for your reply below. I appreciate the time and effort you put into this email to share your thoughts on the many issues you and we face. They are very enlightening, beneficial and thought-provoking. I will not attempt to address them but just wish to assure you that we, as NAC, have looked into most of these issues. We will continue to do so in order to champion Singapore arts/artists and establish Singapore as a distinctive global city for the arts.

and the last paragragh.............

I would like to meet you in person to discuss such matters and get to know you better as an artist. Please do not fly home specially for this meeting. Just let me know when you are back so that we can meet for a chat. Once again, thank you for your reply. I am saying so not out of courtesy or formality. I discern you have put in so much thoughts and belief into the contents. I appreciate that very much and look forward to meeting you.

Best regards

Chwee Seng

"i am not Chwee Seng."

i was dumb founded. i said i addressed you as Mr Lim. He said 'Yes, Russel Lim'

i said: 'Earlier, when i mentioned that i wrote many times to you (i have always write to the Director - Chwee Seng, not Russell - the Deputy Director) why didn't you denial? he said he cannot remember as he has writen so many emails to different people.

??!?!???

Well well, the conversation continued.... and i asked did he get the message i left in his answering machine last Friday. There was a non conmittal reply.

i asked again if his answering machine is not working or has he not retrive his messages?

There came the third silence. This time i was quick to look at the time on the table phone: 26.01.....................................long silence..................................nothing heard of...................... 29.20

the voice came back - 'if you want to know if i have retrived my phone messages or not this morning, the answer is no.'

'Thank you' ( i didn't know it needs to take 3 minutes 19 seconds for that answer from a Deputy Director?!?!).

The call ended at 31.05min with him promising to relay the message to his Director.

Shin Ming Daily News reported the event

The Shin Ming Daily News reported the event today.

It appeared to be a well balanced report, covering my views, the National Arts Council's and the TKS studio's opinion.

i have to thank the reporter, the editor and surely not forgetting the Chinese Newspapers' adviser too.

The NAC claimed that i have under used the studio. NAC also claimed that i have not submit the half early report on my activities report.

Yes, i was away most of the time these 2 years, spent not running away doing somethings else but doing research and praticing my art! In this globalised and interconnected world, should artists stay put and hold fort in the studio and not travel? Or what should the minimium residency be in order to qualify?

On the activities(i did not recieved any as it was still sent out on the snail mail and not through emails) : may i humbily state that i was invited to participate in the 9th Cuenca Biennale last year [see enclosed images]. i did memtioned this to the reporter, but she had convienently chosen to forget. Or should i believe, it was her editor's that was moved by the ever present monsterous hand?

.

The official from the Subordinate Court Bailiff Section inspected my 25 years of "Junk"

Yesterday, on the dot at 10 am sharp, the official from the Subordinate Court Bailiff Section inspected my studio and lamented that it is all junk!!!.

Indeed, 25 years of "Junk"?!?!

The 'Ah Keng Antique Shop' downtown openly declared in its signboard "WE BUY JUNK BUT WE SELL ANTIQUE!"

So it seems like dooms day has arrived!!!

The BLACK CURTAIN is looming ever so largely...............as though a loon is diving onto me!!!

The lump stucked up in my head appear to be growing ever larger.................

My MP don't know what he can do?!?

i was at the meet the people session last nite to see my MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim regarding the Writ of Possession.

i was turn away - told that my MP will not see me - because he cannot do anything with my case because it now with the court!

After pondering for a while outside, i returned and insisted to the minders/volanteers in the MP's office that i would like to my MP because he is my elected representative in Parliament and i would only like to keep him inform of this serious happening. After a short consultation among themselve, they relented.

i saw Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. He was/is a very nice man - a good listener with a PhD (Management Sciences), but i as told by the minders in the office that he is a Medical Doctor!?!!

i related to him about my case from the beginning to the present - posted below.

i asked him if he understood my position, he said yes. i asked again how much did he understood? There was a silent.

i asked what can i do? He was very honest and said he don't know and offered that i call the lawyer office.

Subordinate Courts issued Writ of Possession!

i am very puzzle by the no reply in my last 3 letters to my MPs in the marine Parade GRC.

The Black Curtain has loom large and over bearing! It has forced on me again and made me wanting to recluse into the cave. But i have no where to hide and cannot effort to do so, as the mighty National Arts Council has gone to the Subordinate Courts to issue a Writ of Possession!?!

So what can i do?!?!

i am out on a field trip and my base can is to be repossess!?!

My dossage of Amoryn and the Wellburtrin XL seems to have no effect now!

6.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

This 5th letter was sent to my MP on 12 Jan 08, 24 Jan 08 and 21 March 08 ... and copied to the minister in MICA, 2nd minister in MICA and 2 other MPs Mr Ong Seh Hong and Mdm Fatimah Abd Lateef.

They recieved no reply.

12 Jan 08

Re: SOS from a constituent of Marine Parade (Re: Telok Kurau Studio)

Dear SM Goh

Thank you for your reply through your Principle Private Secretary.

Words cannot describe my extreme disappointment and desperation. This episode is nailing me against the wall!

The Director in NAC have not reply to me in my last email to him(29 Dec 2007). Perhaps with the support and endorsement from your PPS, he felt there no need to.

As an artist, I can be emotional. Hence, I have exercised care by having a friend to edit for the language used in my last few emails to you.

I cannot add more but can only resend it with the crucial points underlined. Perhaps I am wrong to come to China to build a 'second wing' advocate by your Government in the late 80's/ early 90's.

My apology again for being such a nuisance and liability to you.

Your desperate constituent,
Tan Kwank Liang


Dear SM Goh

The difference between winner and loser is: The winner always sees answers to questions, but the loser always sees questions in the answers; the winner always makes up part of the answer, but the loser always makes up part of the question; the winner has plans, the loser has pretexts; the winner always says: "Let me do it", the loser always says: "It is none of my business"; the winner always says: "although there are problems, it still can be done', but the loser always says: "although it can be done, it is too difficult."

Li Chang Yu
Chief Police Commissioner
State of Wisconsin , USA
(The first Chinese/Asian to hold such an appointment in USA )

I was saddened and surprised to read about the passing of Mr Sim Kee Boon - who made Changi Airport possible and a man who 'specialize in the grey '( according to his former colleague as reported in the Today Newspaper 10-11 Nov, 2007). How can we have more of such men?

I write also to thank you and your principal private secretary/ies who have helped - though in vain - in the appeal for my studio in Telok Kurau in my last 3 emails.

I must apologise for being such a nuisance and for the inconvenience caused.

I have also read with envy that CapitaLand Institute of Management and Business (Climb)  a subsidiary of the multi-billion dollar CapitaLand (?) - in Sentosa has just been offered a grant of $20, 000 by The Workforce Development Agency for adopting its inaugural Leadership and People Management Workforce Skills Qualifications Framework to be launched next year. (Today Newspaper, 23 Nov, 2007). This made me recall my futile efforts to secure funding from IE Singapore. Perhaps I am not just small but too tiny.

I do not enjoy writing to you. I dread disturbing you. I am writing to you merely as a constituent of Marine Parade GRC and in a small part, I know you are behind in many of the art initiatives in Singapore.

Peter Drucker asserted way back in the 1950s that workers should be treated as assets, not as liabilities to be eliminated. I must apologise that being an artist, I am such a worthless being and such a liability to you.

It seems like there is nothing possible with regard to my studio. NAC has filed court proceedings to reclaim the premises. But the Director in NAC has offered to meet me again. "We still wish to assist you in other ways, if and where feasible "- while my present one and only need is to have a studio, a base in Singapore - Does this not border on hypocrisy?

I shall have to move to vacate the studio. But where to?

I have stated numerous times that I have nowhere else to go and have no wish to ship my effects to Shanghai where I have a studio now. Alternatively I shall have to have 'The Collection' destroyed. In my third email to you, I mentioned that I have named the works I have in my possession 'The Goh Chok Tong Collection'. I stated this not in jest but in all seriousness. I have consulted numerous friends, an Art Historian included, to come to such a decision.

This episode is causing such a big distraction from my work and is a major psychological burden to me. I would like to end this.

As I endure another winter without heating, I know you – my MP in Marine Parade GRC, are strongly behind me.

Please advise what alternative I have or what course of action I can take.

I look forward to your reply in earnest.

Asks the possible to the impossible, where is your dwelling-place?
In the dreams of the impotent, comes the answer. Tagore


Your desperate constituent,

Tan Kwank Liang

5.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts 5

My fourth letter to my MP recieved no reply:

29 Dec 07

Re: SOS from a constituent of Marine Parade (Re: Telok Kurau Studio)

Dear SM Goh

The difference between winner and loser is: The winner always sees answers to questions, but the loser always sees questions in the answers; the winner always makes up part of the answer, but the loser always makes up part of the question; winner has plans, loser has pretexts; winner always says: "Let me do it", loser always says: "It is none of my business"; winner always says: "although there are problems, it still can be done', but loser always says: "although it can be done, it is too difficult."

Li Chang Yu
Chief Police Commissioner
State of Wisconsin , USA
(The first Chinese/Asian to hold such an appointment in USA )

I was saddened and surprised to read about the passing of Mr Sim Kee Boon - who made Changi Airport possible and a man who 'specialize in the grey '( according to his former colleague as reported in the Today Newspaper 10-11 Nov, 2007). How can we have more of such men?

I write also to thank you and your principal private secretary/ies who have helped - though in vain - in the appeal for my studio in Telok Kurau in my last 3 emails.

I must apologise for being such a nuisance and for the inconvenience caused.

I have also read with envy that CapitaLand Institute of Management and Business (Climb)  a subsidiary of the multi-billion dollar CapitaLand (?) - in Sentosa has just been offered a grant of $20, 000 by The Workforce Development Agency for adopting its inaugural Leadership and People Management Workforce Skills Qualifications Framework to be launched next year. (Today Newspaper, 23 Nov, 2007). This made me recall my futile efforts to secure funding from IE Singapore. Perhaps I am just too tiny.

I do not enjoy writing to you. I dread disturbing you. I am writing to you merely as a constituent of Marine Parade GRC and in a small part, I know you are behind in many of the art initiatives in Singapore.

Peter Drucker asserted way back in the 1950s that workers should be treated as assets, not as liabilities to be eliminated. I must apologise that being an artist, I am such a worthless being and such a liability to you.

It seems like there is nothing possible with regard to my studio. NAC has filed court proceedings to reclaim the premises. But the Director in NAC has offered to meet me again. "We still wish to assist you in other ways, if and where feasible "- while my present one and only need is to have a studio, a base in Singapore - Does this not border on hypocrisy?

I shall have to move to vacate the studio. But where to?

I have stated numerous times that I have nowhere else to go and have no wish to ship my effects to Shanghai where I have a studio now. Alternatively I shall have to have 'The Collection' destroyed. In my third email to you, I mentioned that I have named the works I have in my possession 'The Goh Chok Tong Collection'. I stated this not in jest but in all seriousness. I have consulted numerous friends, an Art Historian included, to come to such a decision.

This episode is causing such a big distraction from my work and is a major psychological burden to me. I would like to end this.

As I endure another winter without heating, I know you – my MP in Marine Parade GRC, are strongly behind me. Please advise what alternative I have or what course of action I can take.

I look forward to your reply in earnest.

Asks the possible to the impossible, where is your dwelling-place?
In the dreams of the impotent, comes the answer.

Tagore


Your desperate constituent,

Tan Kwank Liang

4a.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

And the reply from the Director:

Dear Kwank Liang

Thank you for your reply below. I appreciate the time and effort you put into this email to share your thoughts on the many issues you and we face. They are very enlightening, beneficial and thought-provoking. I will not attempt to address them but just wish to assure you that we, as NAC, have looked into most of these issues. We will continue to do so in order to champion Singapore arts/artists and establish Singapore as a distinctive global city for the arts.

More importantly now, I want to address the challenge you are facing regarding your art-making in Singapore. You are right we have taken action to take back your studio at TKS. Nevertheless, we still wish to assist you in other ways, if and where feasible, so that you can continue in art-making whenever you return to Singapore.

I would like to meet you in person to discuss such matters and get to know you better as an artist. Please do not fly home specially for this meeting. Just let me know when you are back so that we can meet for a chat. Once again, thank you for your reply. I am saying so not out of courtesy or formality. I discern you have put in so much thoughts and belief into the contents. I appreciate that very much and look forward to meeting you.

Best regards
Chwee Seng

Lim Chwee Seng
Director,
Visual Arts / Director, Resource Development
National Arts Council

4.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

My reply to the Director:

13 Nov 07

Re: Telok Kurau Studio - Set the policy RIGHT

Dear Chwee Seng

I thank you for your email dated 8th October.

Sorry for not replying earlier as I need time to regain my emotional distress and to write this long letter.

I thank you for being so kind and gracious as to grant me your ears, but I wonder why now, after more than half a year and after so many letters. I have had to repeatedly knock on the door of my MP and have endured so many frustrations, distress and psychological turmoil. I am wondering why there is a need for such a meeting when you already have made the decision?

You surely must be aware that I am in Shanghai . Is it really necessary for me to fly back so that we can have a meeting? Is this a valid and strong reason for me to apply for a grant from NAC for this journey? After all, you may say, the air ticket for this journey is only merely about S$600-S$700, a small fraction of your monthly remuneration. But for an artist, S$700 is an extremely exorbitant amount!

If I make this journey and have the meeting with you, as I did with the various Directors of NAC through the years, I trust you will not just thank me and tell me - when I hand in the minutes of the meeting - that 'There is no need for minutes to record such a meeting' as one of the Directors, now enjoying his retirement once told me. Or one other Director who told me 'I know, I know, I understand your predicament, I am always with you!' But left (for good?) for 'greener pastures' in Australia .

I appreciate your kind and gracious gesture while also anticipating the way such a meeting will progress:

1) You will thank me for making the time and effort to be there.
Ans: I have more to thank you for been so kind and gracious to grant me such a meeting.

2) You will suggest that I vacate the studio and offer me a container to store my belongings.
Ans: Thanks, but no thanks. My paintings, sculptures, equipment and other belongings will not fit into a container. Furthermore, the kind of treatment bestowed on the belongings of the two other artists previously (Ahmad? The Malay artist-I cannot recall his name- and Ng Yak Hwee) was regrettably inhumane and highly improper. Ahmad's belongings kept disappearing from the room where they were stored, and are almost gone! Well, they have themselves to be blamed as they have disappeared! Uncontactable!

The plants I kept on the corridor which provided a soft pasture of greenery in contrast to the hard, empty concrete building kept disappearing even when I was around and disappeared totally in/before April 2006 without anyone informing/consulting me! The plants drew compliments from Victor, Leo Hee Tong and Teng Nee Chong on the same floor, who sometimes watered them on my behalf. They also drew compliments from many visitors (who remarked that TKS looks more like a hospital rather than a studio space) but irked your officers - who were on routine checks - as they broke the clinically clean environment. For that I must apologise.

So, will you suggest that I ship my belongings out of Singapore since I have a studio here in Shanghai ?

3) You will suggest to me to apply for another studio space as and when I return.
Ans: I applied and waited for more than two years for this studio space! Should I reapply and wait for another two to three years, if not longer? What I am going to do in this period? I have mentioned before and I reiterate here again that I have not left the country! My extended stay - away, is because of work! Please see enclosed photo. I would like to be back home at least once a month and spend time back in Singapore to work too! I have no wish to migrate 'down under' or up here in the north! I miss Home!

4) You will remind me that there is a long queue of artists in need of a studio and tell me that my actions are selfish.
Ans: Sure, I am aware and do understand this as I was one of those who were on the queue for more then two years! But why is there such a queue? Why are there only spaces for 30 odd artists? Why has TKS remained a secluded enclosure? 'Quiet and underused' as lamented by Mr Teo Eng Seng? I remarked why has not NAC put up a CCTV, so that each artist 's usage and movement (in and out) be monitored? 'They know lah!' came the rejoinder. Of course I do understand there must be many letters complaining about me that push you to act. May I also add that newspaper coverage may not necessarily be true/reliable.

Peter Drucker asserted way back in the 1950s that workers should be treated as assets, not as liabilities to be eliminated. I must apologise that being an artist, I am such a worthless being and such a liabilitiy to you.

5) I have never and still have no interest in backbiting against other artists or their usage. I will only give you an observation I made with my own pair of eyes, not on hearsay (this was given to a Director previously): this artist has been interviewed on national TV at least twice within a year (circa/before 2004) working in his studio with ceramic flooring. His (no artist) studio in TKS has ceramic flooring! I will, and I believe many artists in the queue will salute with full body bow if you can act on this! But I can understand that even if you would like to, you cannot do very much. This is because the artist mentioned here is a Cultural Medallion recipient! However, you are official of high integrity! I believe you will. May I also take this opportunity to inform you that:

6) Here in Shanghai and in Beijing , when one Studio Space - Creative Park , as they called it here, were fully occupied, two others were created! When these two were almost filled, four others were created! Why this has not happened in Singapore ? (www.bizchinaupdate.com/content/view/276/2/)

7) When I received name cards from the Chinese entrepreneurs here, some of them listed a number of companies. Out of the 5-6 companies, one of them is a Singapore company! When I asked where and what this Singapore company is, there came a big smile! And I found out that is just their Singapore accountant's office/the Singapore accountant has arranged for such a 'non-functioning' company! But why?

8) Why have Willie and a number of other galleries set up shop in Kuala Lumpur ? Why did Tolman and a number of galleries set up shop here for 1-2 years and leave soon after? And why are the top administrators leaving too as in the case of the top three office holders in LaSalle? Always one step ahead and several steps behind.

9) We are always ahead in business and economics, but why are we always behind - several steps - in the arts? Why do we need Lui Zuo Chou to spite us - in the words of Mr Tan Swie Hian, interviewed in the Chinese current affairs progromme then: 'Lui Zuo Chou's gesture, is like giving a big tight slap on the face of the Singapore Government (刘作筹这一举止就好比在新加坡政府脸上狠狠地刮了一个耳光)'- in order to have an Asian Civilizations Museum?

10) You were the Commissioner for the Singapore Pavilion in the last Venice Biennale. You certainly have witnessed first hand the exciting works from around the globe. Have you pondered why Singapore decided so late to participate in this prestigious event after more than seventy countries had already done so?

11) I was invited to the Ninth Cuenca Biennial this year, while Singapore is going to hold its second! And all thanks to the IMF/WB meeting last year, if not for which, I believe, the Singapore Biennial will still be on the planning board.

12) We already have the Singapore Art Museum , why do we need a National Art Gallery ? Is it because Mr Lee Weng Choy - Artistic Director, The Substation - declared back then that SAM was obsolete that we now will have a NAG? Or is because of what the Middle-Eastern countries are doing? Frank Gery is designing the Guggenheim Museum for Abu Dhabi . And in Qatar , IM Pei is designing the Islamic Art Museum. (www.edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/10/04/culture.mme) We must be proud to have the 'New' NAG - housed in the former City hall/Supreme Court, or rater, the former Law Academy . May I humbly add that this will be - at best - a monument of the 20th Century?

13)The Bilbao Effect: The public thronged to Bilbao at a rate of between 800,000 and one million a year, of whom 90% were, and continue to be, from outside the Basque country and of those more than half are from countries other than Spain. It was de-industrialisation that stimulated Glas­gow to compete for and win the title European Capital of Culture in 1990; inspired Liverpool to lure the Tate to the Albert Docks in 1998; Salford to build The Lowry in 2000 and the French region of Nord-Pas de Calais to compete in 2006 for the Louvre to establish a branch in Lens. Bilbao has already recouped its expenditure many times - on the building of its Guggenheim Art Museum in less than ten years! The economic impact is so marked that it is said to have paid back the initial investment many times. www.theartnewspaper.com/article.asp?id=6289 Have we not learned?

14) We will never be lead by the nose in business an economics, but why are we always being lead by the nose in the Arts? "Human beings are forgetful; it is the duty of the artist to bring the awareness to the people to remember the important issues." Kudela.

15) I have no wish to be another ordinary artist. I want to be involved in works that are meaningful, thought-provoking and engaging. How is NAC helping in comparison to the privileges enjoyed by the Chinese (foreign) companies raised in the example on item 6?

These issues I mentioned here are highly complex and problematic. If I may, I would like you to address all these issues, item by item. Some, I believe, may not be within your capacity/office to “There are no fixed answers and there isn’t just one way of doing things. You must be flexible. There is a lot of grey” Sim Kee Boon. “He was a specialist in the grey” a colleague from the old days recalled… 10- 11.11.07 Today

Therefore, I am copying this letter to your CEO and the ministers in MICA and my MP. I know I am breaching protocol by doing this as they have help to intervene in this incident.

The PM has said recently that while SIA has been successful in breaking new ground, it faces intense competition. The key to SIA's success is its people. "Every employee must feel the sense of mission to make SIA a truly global airline, and give of his or her best."

I trust that you and your many colleagues in NAC are of great capability and high integrity. You will and have to adhere to the standing orders in the books and cannot/will not think outside the box. But may I humbly suggest you read the enclosed 2 articles – one is ‘A flight of Faith’ where a pilot made decision against the standing order on the book to fly 2 illegal immigrants into Canda , 29-30 Sept 2007; the other is more recent on the report of the passing of Mr Sim Kee Boon (“There are no fixed answers and there isn’t just one way of doing things. You must be flexible. There is a lot of grey” Sim Kee Boon… “He was a specialist in the grey” a colleague from the old days recalled…10-11 Nov.2007 Today newspaper).

I am sure you will (as declared as the Key Thrusts in all your printed materials and website) _Facilitate Internationalisation and Enhance Global Connectivity _and _Stimulate Broader and More Sophisticated Demand for the Arts_ and make Singapore a shining jewel in the world of Arts.

Thank you.

Tan Kwank Liang
(An acknowledgment of receipt of this email would be much appreciated)

3b.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

i was surprise to recieved a reply from the Director, Visual Arts / Director, Resource Development, National Arts Council on the 8 Oct 08:

Dear Kwank Liang

I refer to your email to CEO NAC as well as your emails/appeals to ministers. I regret to inform you we are unable to accede to your appeal. We have initiated action towards taking back your unit at TKS so that it can be allocated to other artists who have been waiting for arts housing. We will be glad to explore alternative solutions to address the situation you are in. Please contact me so that we can jointly try to find a feasible solution. If possible, I would like to speak to you in person on this matter.

Best regards
Chwee Seng
Lim Chwee Seng
Director, Visual Arts / Director, Resource Development
National Arts Council

3a.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

Dear Mr Tan,

Please refer to your email appeal to SM Goh below. We have reviewed your case carefully with NAC again, but given the facts of the case, we were unable to change their mind.

May I suggest that you look forward and move on from this episode. Augustin Lee, Principal

Private Secretary to Senior Minister,
Prime Minister Office, Tel: +65 68356605

3.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

My third letter to my MP

07 Oct 07

Re: SOS from a constituent of Marine Parade (Re: Telok Kurau Studio)

Dear SM Goh

This is my third letter to you.

Please refer to my two earlier emails.

The NAC has turned down my appeal and is taking reposession of my Studio in Telok Kurau. I do not blame them as they are mere civil servants performing a job. It is the politicians that set the policy.

My life is being threatened! Or put it mildly in your language: My livelihood is being threatened! It was and is no exaggeration. For the last few months if not longer especially the last month, I am not my usual self. The world seems to be coming to an end. I am not sure if this is called depression.

My studio is my HDB. I have nowhere else to go. It is my base in Singapore . Taking back my studio is like taking away my HDB. Worst , this is taking place while I am away ¨ I am not on holiday but on my working trip. It is like while I am posted out for an operation outside my country during NS, for whatever reason, my HDB is been taken back! Althought, I have finished my cycle of NS. Although I have finished my cycle of NS, my son and my cousins are going into NSF soon. How can I tell them to give their best to the nation when there is no real or genuine insurance/guarantee back home.

I sincerely do not want to move my works in Singapore out. I like to call it the "Goh Chok Tong Collection". This is because majority of the works kept in my studio are done in the years of between 1986 - 2003, about the same time as your premiership. If I may remind/bring your attention to the "Liu Zuo Cho Collection" donated to the Hong Kong Museum in 1995/6 - and of the birth of the Asian Civilisation Museum . Of course my "Goh Chok Tong collection" is nothing compared with the "Liu Zuo Cho Collection". But I believe it marks a little stody in the development of Singapore Art, however small it maybe and I have no wish to bring it out.

Dear SMGoh.

You may have sent your principle private secertary to sit in the Council of NAC. But how he is to read this letter and pass it on, and whether it will take you 10 seconds, 30 seconds or 60 seconds of your time will depend on your sentivity as a politician as you have smell the development ( in the Arts) in the Middle East(http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/10/04/culture.mme/index.html ).

You are my last refuge in this instance. I urge you to consider my plea ( in a desperate situation) and intervene on my behalf to continue have a fruitfully lease of the studio premises.

Thank you.

Tan Kwank Liang

An acknowledgement of the reciept of this letter will be much appreciated.

2a.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

The reply from SM office:

07 Jun 07

Dear Mr Tan

Thank you for your email to Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong of 6th June 2007.

The Senior Minister has seen your email and appeal.

The National Arts Council has already replied to regarding your appeal andI hope that you will understand the basis of NAC's decision.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours

Albert Chua
Principal Private Secretary to the Senior Minister

2.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

My second letter to my MP:

05 Jun 07

RE: HARDWARES and SOFTWARES needed for a Center for the Arts. - An Appeal Letter...

Cuenca, Ecuador

Dear SM Goh,

I thank you and Minister Lee for your kind assistance. I believe you have received the cc copy of the reply to me from NAC with a negative answer (enclosed).

The bureaucracy is indeed the bureaucracy, as I fully understand, with a micro vision, they are just doing a routine job. I anticipated this, and that is why I wrote to you, as the apex of the decision-making body of the country, the government with a macro vision on the subject: HARDWARES and SOFTWARES needed for a Center for the Arts. - An Appeal Letter... (It is also my privilege, and an excuse to write to you, as a constituent of Marine Parade GRC.)

In that email, I briefly touched on my observations, as a citizen and an artist, on the three main projects the government has implemented in the last ten years or so (and is about to implement a third project - the National Art Gallery. I hope it will materialise this time, as it was aborted some years back in favor of setting up the Law Academy.)

In the early 60's, when Singapore just got its independence, there was an urgent need for housing, hence the HDB was born. Through the years, HBD was so successful, that now - with excess flats waiting to be taken up - it has almost made itself irrelevant, and hence all the revamping - with private flats, private architects designing flats, private enterprise building flats......

In 1996, Telok Kurau Studio (TKS) was born in view of the need for artists. With only 30 rooms for 30 artists, there is now a queue for the space (it was not filled quickly in the first year or two because artists were initially apprehensive of the scheme.) Containers were added to the space later! Does Singapore needs 30 odd artists and, if so, can it support them? Can afew more be supported? With TKS, Singapore has acquired a 'good' name as supporter of the arts and local artists, just like the Esplanade. However, as you have discovered from your many trips to the Middle East, the Esplanade is not enough. So the next question is, with TKS housing 30 odd artists, is that enough? and what other policy can there be to help in the development of the artists - i.e. the software?

This is what I can suggest ...........

1) The bureaucracy can be revamped to be in tune with the 'new' vision (personally/privately, I knew it was 'new' - after the Middle East phenomenon - but the bureaucracy is perhaps still towing the line of 'the Renaissance City' - 10-15years ago!) and the need for more initiatives to support and assist, and grow the artists. The world is very different from 10 years ago, so is the arts.

2) In Kentucky Lowertown, home of the Artist Relocation Program, the oldest neighborhood in the Paducah, is the catalyst for a great deal of excitement, economic growth, and community pride. Lowertown, located just four blocks from the Ohio River and Downtown, is home to the Artist-Relocation-Program which gives out interest free loan to artists. This international culture in Paducah, a unique incentive program that brought the artists, more than 70 in all.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WNT/Story?id=2748161&page=1

And, on a personal level,

1) I would like to maintain a base in Singapore! I was born in Johore, Malaysia. My family moved to Singapore in the mid 60s. I have served my 2 years National Service - NSF and the cycle of 13 years NS with sweat and blood - however little it may be, due to some minor injuries.

2) I have grown up, since my early childhood - 6 years old - in Singapore. My roots are in this country and my connections to Singapore are very strong. Despite all the opportunities I have had to work overseas, I consider it my home and my homeland. Apart from my studies in the UK and my numerous travels, I have been for the most part in Singapore all these years/all my life. This period, from 2004 to the present, is my longest 'posting' outside the country ever, other than a few short trips back home to deal with family matters. It is not easy. It is not easy to support myself as an artist either, but i am willing to labour on - single handedly. I appeal to you to help me to lighten this load, if not to avoid unnecessary problems.

3) Though I am presently spending most of my time outside the country, i do plan - when things are stablised and firmed - to spend at least half of my time back home - like most senior executives do, half a month/ one month in Singapore, half a month/ one month out stationed. After all, my family, kinship and friends are in Singapore!

4) I have just signed a contract in Shanghai for a studio space in a 'Creative Park'. Perhaps it is timely that the NAC has terminated my tenancy and for me to ship out from Singapore to Shanghai? However, if I do this, I would have nothing to come back to. I sincerely would not like to do this, as I consider myself Singaporean first and foremost! However, circumstances being as they are, I may have no choice.

Thank you.

Tan Kwank Liang
( An acknowledgment of receipt of this email would be much appreciated.)

1a.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

Reply from NAC and the Minister office:

NAC 011.015.014V13
27 April 2007

Mr Tan Kwank Liang BY EMAIL & POST


Dear Mr Tan,
APPEAL FOR RENEWAL OF TENANCY AT TELOK KURAU STUDIO
We refer to your letter of appeal dated 21 April 2007 to Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong which was referred to NAC for consideration.

2. Under the Arts Housing Scheme, NAC leases studios/spaces to selected artists and arts groups at highly subsidised rates for use as their office, studios, administrative, rehearsal and performance space. We strive to ensure that these limited facilities are effectively utilised as there is a very strong demand.

3. We noted that you had been stationed overseas most of the time since year 2004. As such, your usage of the unit at the Telok Kurau Studio was very limited. In spite of that and based on your explanation that you would be returning to Singapore and would be using the studio space extensively, your tenancy was renewed for the years 2005 and 2006.

4. In your recent appeal, you explained that you will once again be exploring and researching outside Singapore for your preparation of the overseas exhibitions. We understand the need for artists to carry out such activities overseas. However, the intention of the arts housing is for artists in Singapore to extensively utilise the space for their production and administration besides other arts activities. As you are aware, a number of equally eligible and deserving artists have been waiting for arts housing allocation for years. It is prudent that we ensure our limited arts housing units are put to good and effective use.

5. We have reconsidered your appeal and regret to inform you that we are unable to accede to your request to renew your tenancy at the Telok Kurau Studio. You may wish to explore with other space providers or co-share space with other fellow artists as and when you are back in Singapore. We understand you may need time to vacate the premises. We will therefore allow you a grace period of 2 weeks for you to vacate and return the keys to NAC by 10 May 2007. Please also contact the TKS Management Committee to settle your outstanding payment of $1,562.24 before 10 May 2007. If you require further assistance, please contact my colleague, Ms Joan Toh (telephone 68379514).

Yours sincerely

LIM CHWEE SENG
DIRECTOR, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & VISUAL ARTS

cc Mr Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister
Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts
Mr Lee Suan Hiang, Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council


230407 MICA reply

Dear Mr Tan

Please refer to your email of 21 Apr 2007 copied to Minister Dr Lee BoonYang. Minister has asked NAC to review your tenure at Telok Kurau.

Soh Guek Keow (Ms)
covering for PA to Dr Lee Boon Yang Minister
MICA
23 April 2007

1.Singapore has Good reasons in promoting and supporting the Arts

i wrote to my MP in marine Parade:

20 April 07

Re:HARDWARES and SOFTWARES needed for a Center for the Arts. - An Appeal Letter for my studio in TKS

Cuenca, Ecuador.

Dear SM Goh,

I am writing to you as a constituent of Marine Parade GRC, currently on an work visit in Shanghai. I am presently been invited to participate in the IX INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL OF CUENCA, ECUADOR.

I received a letter from the NAC in Feb(enclosed) informing me that I will have to give up my studio in Telok Kurau due to my absence from the country for an extended period of time. My personal appeal to them failed(enclosed).

I wish to appeal this decision by NAC for the following reasons:

1. My base is in Singapore, and I consider myself a Singaporean artist. If I am forced to give up my studio, I will have nothing to comeback to.

2. I make a living from my work as an artist. Please refer to the NAC Library for details of my participation in various open exhibitionssince 1977 (Art 77, National Museum Art Gallery) as well 12 solo exhibitions from the first in 1986 to the last one in 2004 - an average of more than one in 2 years.

3. The time from conception to execution of an art work takes an appreciably longer time for an artist than for any other professional. I consider it part of my work ethic as an artist to conduct proper andserious research and planning for a project or exhibition. Though it may be possible to produce works in a shorter time frame, I prefer not to compromise the quality of my output for the expediency of time.

4. Presently, as in the past, I am engaged in exploring and researching outside Singapore, but this does not mean I am inactive or unwilling to exhibit my work. In fact, my present invition to the IX International Biennial of Cuenca in Ecuador as an independent artist, i.e. not sponsored or nominated by the NAC or other organisation. I have also been invited for an exhibition in Shanghai later this year andanother next year in Beijing.

Dear SM Goh,

I believe it was you, during your term as PM, upon reviewing multiple MNC's survey reports that position Singapore most favourably in most areas except the Arts, that you decided to lobby for the Esplanade.

Last year, I was so pleased to see the first Singapore Biennale too, though it just happened to coincide with the major World Bank/IMF conference.

I was most surprised to read about the establishment of the National Art Museum in the former City Hall/Law Academy, when we already have the Singapore Art Museum in the former St Joseph Institution. This again must be your masterful political manoeuvre, I believe, after repeated visits and gaining inspirations from the many Middle Eastern Countries.

I am proud to be a Singaporean, representing my country overseas, and believe that it is of mutual benefit for Singapore to be seen to be producing artists of international stature. I believe you will understand the importance of having/supporting artists/artistes to compliment the hardware.

I am hopeful that you will be able to intercede with NAC on my behalf so that I can retain the studio at Telok Kurau for when I return home.

Yours sincerely

Tan Kwank Liang
Singapore