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