TAN KHIM SER
President of Life Art Society, Mr Tan Khim Ser is a renowned artist who
graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1966. Trained in both Chinese
and Western Art, Mr Tan has actively participated in local and international art
exhibitions and also received numerous awards not only for his work of art but
also for his kind and generous heart.
On display at the Singapore National Art Museum, Mr Tan's artwork has even
reached the Istana when he presented our now Senior Minister, Goh Chok Tong, a
Chinese Brush Painting on "bamboos"! His artwork can be found not only in
Singapore but at the National Museum Art Gallery, Phillipines and Korea too!
For promoting art to the community at large, Mr Tan has been honoured many
times, receiving the Service Award from the Society of Chinese Artists in 1985,
the Education Award from Kuo Chuan Art Club in 1992. He was also awarded the
Voluntary Service Award by the People's Association in 1995, for his dedication
to assisting the less fortunate. It is no mistake that is generosity has helped
thousands of people with his constant participation in Singapore's Community
Chest Charity Sweep. For more than 40 years, Mr Tan has donated his artwork to
assist in fundraising and recently in the Year 2000, Mr Tan's Lotus Bloom
Painting was sold for $20,000 at a Charity Gala.
An ardent promoter of the art, Mr Tan has been a dedicated member of the
organising committee for the National Day’s Art Exhibition. Specialising in both
Chinese and Western art, his paintings cover a wide range of diverse themes. His
works of art consist of watercolour and Chinese brush paintings. Exquisite and
novel, Mr Tan’s landscape paintings are harmonious and the execution of his
strokes is lively and skilful.
Source: Tanglin Club Singapore
• 1966 Graduated from Nanyang
Acadamy of Fine Arts.
• Founder member and President of Life Art Society.
• 1985 Held Solo Art Exhibition to raise funds for the publication of art book
for Singapore Children.
• 1983 Awarded Outstanding Gold Medal by Life Art Society.
• 1987 Awarded Leadership Prize by Life Art Society.
• Paintings were included in the "Dictionary of the World Current Artists"
Nanyang University of Singapore Art Museum.
Ways of Seeing Chinese Paintings
A Talk cum Demonstration in English by
Mr Tan Khim Ser
Date : Thursday, 14 August 2003
Time : 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm
Venue : NUS Museums
50 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119279
About the artist
President of Life Art Society, an artist who graduated from the Nanyang Academy
of Fine Arts in 1966, Tan Khim Ser was trained in both Chinese and Western art.
He has actively participated in local and international
art exhibitions and has also received numerous awards, e.g. Gold Medal Award and
Premium Service Award from Life Art Society, Certificate of World Artist from a
group of International Artistic Organisations, etc.
OVERHEARD
Marine Parade MP Goh Choon Kang
and Nanyang Academy Of Fine Arts (Nafa) principal Ho Kah Leong, spelt double
happiness for charity organisations.
The celebrity calligraphers were invited by Mr Tan Khim Ser of the Life Art
Society to sign auspicious Chinese characters on red paper, for charity, at the
Plaza Singapura lobby yesterday.
Their works were given to some 60 members of the public who, in return, gave
donations to the Children's Cancer Foundation and the Nafa Building Fund.
Press Releases
SPEECH BY DR LEE BOON YANG
MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS & THE ARTS
AT THE LAUNCH OF ARTIST TAN KHIM SER'S PAINTINGS AT TANJONG PAGAR MRT STATION ON
TUESDAY, 29 JUNE 2004, 12NOON
Good afternoon
Mr Tan Hup Foi, Deputy President of SMRT
Mr Tan Khim Ser, President of the Life Art Society
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is my pleasure to join you this afternoon for the launch of two paintings,
"Expressions of Solidarity" and "Singapore, My Home, My Country".
2 The decision by SMRT and the Life Art Society to place these two works of art
in a prominent public location will give a boost to the government's effort to
bring art to the people and community. They will certainly help to soften our
cityscape, particularly MRT Stations which were very often designed with utility
uppermost in mind. The installation of these works of art will help to elevate
the pervasiveness and visibility of the arts for all Singaporeans. Commuters
will be able to admire and enjoy the art works. I hope that busy working adults,
students and the man-in-the-street using Tanjong Pagar MRT Station will not just
dash pass these art works but take a moment to pause and enjoy the paintings on
display.
3 Interestingly, these two paintings also have strong community links. They can
be described as community art and were the results of community-inspired
projects. The "Expressions of Solidarity" is a collective work created when the
Life Art Society celebrated its 30th anniversary on 6 July 2002 at Shangri-la
Hotel. Invited guests, including President Nathan, were asked to draw branches
and leaves to wish Singapore peace and prosperity. For the "Singapore, My Home,
My Country", members of the public signed on the map to express their love and
loyalty to the country. This was part of Singapore's largest arts carnival,
organised by SMRT and Life Art Society in Tampines in November 2003. These two
paintings are thus symbolic of our kinship and shared destiny as Singaporeans.
4 Promoting the arts is a multi-faceted effort involving the arts community, as
well as the public and private sectors. I am happy to see SMRT actively
supporting the arts by working with the Life Art Society to bring art to the
community through the arts carnival in Tampines and the Children Art Competition
at Bukit Panjang LRT station. Such efforts are commendable and I hope there will
be more collaborations between arts organisations and corporate citizens so that
we will see many more artworks, from paintings to sculptures and installations
around us - in public and private office buildings, parks, shopping centres and
MRT stations.
5 In closing, may I offer my heartiest congratulations to the SMRT and the Life
Art Society for their joint effort to bring art to the community. Thank you and
have a pleasant afternoon.
