Speech by Ms Jean Tan, SIF Executive Director, at the Closing Ceremony of the SIF-BC Artist-In-Residency Programme 2012

I’m delighted to be among friends – partners, supporters and artists.

The SIF-BC partnership provides a platform for artists and communities to share perspectives, and in doing so, promote greater cross-cultural understanding, creating opportunities to collaborate to enrich lives.

The two new artists in this year’s programme, Genevieve Chua and Emma Critchley, are part of the SIF’s efforts to strengthen ties between Singapore and the United Kingdom. Besides artists, SIF also brings business professionals, thought leaders, and social entrepreneurs together to bridge Singaporeans and world communities.

The first collaboration under the residency programme saw a successful two-man exhibition, by Singaporean and British artists Michael Lee and Bob Matthews, in Singapore and London each. Their exhibition exemplifies how individuals can be inspired and enlightened through interaction and better appreciation of others, and different environments.

We are eager to see what our next pair of collaborators will bring to us in their planned exhibition at LASALLE’s Institute of Contemporary Arts next January.

Before the January exhibition, I’m pleased to share that Genevieve and Emma will be participating at our annual showcase DiverseCity, which is opening on 15 November 2012 at Singapore Art Museum’s 8Q. DiverseCity is a celebration of the diversity and richness of Singapore art, and the collaborative efforts between Singapore and international artists and how the exchange has deepened perspectives of each other’s cultures and enriched interpretations of one’s own art.

We are happy to have partners who have believed and supported the Artists in Residency Exchange programme for two years running, including the Royal College of Art, London, and Mr Loh Lik Peng for providing accommodation at his hotels in the two cities.

I wish to acknowledge new partners of the programme, namely LASALLE College of the Arts, and supporters in Singapore who are with us this evening, such as Singapore Sports School, Korla, Singapore Tyler Print Institute and Studio Milou Singapore.

Thank you to Tolla Sloane of Give Art Space for giving curatorial support and for guiding the artists during their residencies. This year, we have a co-curator, Sam I-shan of Singapore Art Museum.

And finally, a big thank you to His Excellency Antony Phillipson and Mark Howard for their keen support to SIF.