SPEECH BY DR LEE BOON YANG, MINISTER FOR INFORMATION,

　　COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, AT DONATION CEREMONY OF MY PARENTS BY FENG ZHENGJIE, 21 FEBRUARY 2008 6.30PM, AT SINGAPORE ART

　　MUSEUM

　　Mr Feng Zhengjie,

　　Mr Koh Seow Chuan,

　　Chairman,

　　Singapore Art Museum

　　Excellencies,

　　Distinguished Guests,

　　Ladies and Gentlemen,

　　GOOD AFTERNOON!

　　1. I am delighted to be here today at the Donation Ceremony of the artwork ‘My Parents’ and I thank Mr Feng Zhengjie for his valuable donation to the Singapore Art Museum.

　　2. "My Parents" is one of the larger works created by Mr Feng to date. A triptych that measures about 9 m by 3 m in total, the work features the portraits of the artist’s own parents. This is a very personal piece for the artist that the Singapore Art Museum is honoured to receive, and be the custodians of. Mr Feng’s mother passed on in the early 2000s, and his father, two years ago. “My Parents’, which presents the artist’s contemplation on life and death, and on tragedy and comedy, is also representative of the artist’s own journey of coming to an illumination on the dualities of loss and new beginnings. It has been rarely exhibited and selectively so, by the artist, at prominent art spaces and museums in Korea and China, including a very special exhibition in Tibet.

　　3. This donation will become an important addition to the Singapore Art Museum’s permanent collection. With the Singapore Art Museum as its permanent home, more Singaporeans and visitors will be able to see and appreciate this masterpiece.

　　4. One of the rising stars in the Chinese contemporary art scene, Feng Zhengjie is an artist who has given voice to his creative talent through his ubiquitous style with colours in his oil painting, and reaching to many audiences with his expressions that parody traditional Chinese folk art and contemporary popular culture.

　　5. The prolific artist has exhibited extensively in more than 70 group and solo exhibitions throughout Asia and Europe.

　　6. Last month, the Singapore Art Museum put together “Primary Colours: Feng Zhengjie”, an exhibition of Feng works that span more than 15 years. The show which highlights his works as a response to a rapidly changing Chinese society also reveals Feng’s journey with colours in his art-making, and the changing faces of Chinese society.

　　7. This evening, I am most honored to receive on behalf of the Singapore Art Museum, National Heritage Board, Mr Feng Zhengjie’s donation of “My Parents”.

　　8. We are proud that an acclaimed artist such as Feng Zhengjie has chosen Singapore Art Museum for his painting. Mr Feng’s significant contribution will go a long way in fostering artistic and intellectual exchange between Singapore, China and the world. Thank you once again, Mr Feng, for this generous gesture and for your valuable support to the Singapore Art Museum.

　　9. Ladies and gentlemen, I am sure you will enjoy this masterpiece by Mr Feng Zhengjie. Have a very good evening and happy viewing.