Russel Wong, Pink Phalaenopsis, 2020, 4-colour lithograph on paper, 60 x 60 cm, Edition of 4 

 (Singapore - January 22, 2021) Coinciding with Singapore Art Week this year, STPI and One Dream have partnered with renowned Singaporean photographer and artist Russel Wong to create a total of 49 print-based works centred on two compositions of the orchid, the iconic national flower of Singapore and a symbol of love, beauty, perseverance and strength. One of the works will be gifted to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) as a token of gratitude for being at the forefront of Singapore’s outbreak efforts against COVID-19, while 48 other works will be gifted to Family Service Centres (FSCs) across Singapore, as a gesture of appreciation and encouragement for their essential support and services to the families of Singaporeans particularly during this challenging time.

Titled “Art for our Nation”, this is the second iteration of the One Dream initiative, following the successful pilot project “Art for our HOMES” (Hopes and MEmories) launched in 2017 where specially created artworks by Cultural Medallion Award winner and eminent watercolourist Ong Kim Seng were gifted to selected new homeowners in the Jurong Spring community. The initiative endeavours to enhance the emotional, experiential, evaluative and economic well-being of Singaporean citizens through the gifting and sharing of works of art. The founder of One Dream, Peter Ong, believes that a gift beyond the basics, like a work of art, can truly elevate personal well-being and contribute to them living a flourishing life. Such a sentiment rings true in this unprecedented time, and art continues to be a uniting and uplifting force amid the tides of change and transformation felt across the world.

Titled Purple Phalaenopsis and Pink Phalaenopsis, the artworks by Wong are part of his most recent artist residency with STPI, where Wong worked closely with STPI’s Creative Workshop team to create a series of print-based works applying the evocation of portraiture to the subject of tropical flowers. Minimally composed with a remarkable sense of light, depth and timelessness, the photographic images are translated into three-colour photolithographic prints that capture qualities and details of the flowers in layers. Masterfully isolated and set against negative space which characteristically features as an element in most of his pictures, Wong sensitively composes a sculptural, graphic presentation of each floral stalk. Intricate patterns and washes of colour on floral petals and stamens are memorialised at close range, infused with vitality and strength. These species of flowers – Phalaenopsis, Orchidaceae, Heliconia, Chrysanthemum – are unique to the tropics, and the series of prints points to the variegated richness of greenery and life near the equator.

On this collaboration between One Dream and STPI, STPI’s Executive Director Emi Eu says, “We are very pleased and humbled to be working with Peter on this initiative once again. For this second iteration, we felt that it would be most appropriate to honour our colleagues working in the frontline healthcare and social welfare sectors, for all their hard work during this critical time. This is very much aligned with the ethos of the project, which is to bring art to every individual in Singapore – it is especially important this year as we face various challenges brought about by the pandemic and look to art as a source of and comfort, inspiration and hope. We are delighted to welcome Russel back to STPI’s Creative Workshop for this meaningful project, following his previous residency with us in 2004. It is also an absolute privilege to have Minister Masagos Zulkifli grace the unveiling ceremony this year as our Guest of Honour.”

Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Singapore’s Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health, will join STPI and One Dream at an unveiling ceremony of the artworks by Russel Wong, taking place at STPI Gallery on Wednesday, 27 January 2021. Members of the press are cordially invited to attend this ceremony, with further RSVP details below:

Unveiling Ceremony

Date: 27 January 2021

Time: 3.45PM – 4.30PM*

Venue: STPI Gallery, 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236

*Guests to arrive by 3.30PM to complete temperature screening ahead of time

Programme: Introduction of event by STPI

Speech by Minister Masagos

Speech by Chair of STPI

Speech by Artist Russel Wong

Special video segment of Artist’s creative process and collaboration with STPI

Unveiling and presentation of artworks 

Guests welcome to remain to view current exhibition at STPI, "Strange Forms of Life"

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