Artwork by special needs students to be featured across multiple locations in November and December
Singapore, 7 November 2024 – Singtel today launched the third edition of Expressions Through Art, which is a special showcase aimed at raising awareness of the talents and abilities of students from special education (SPED) schools in Singapore. The exhibition featuring 37 artworks by students across all 25 SPED schools in Singapore, will be held, for the first time, at Gardens by the Bay. The artworks will be subsequently exhibited at the National Gallery Singapore and digitised versions will be displayed on the windows of six SMRT trains in December. This year’s edition features a combination of scenes from Gardens by the Bay, as well as depictions of animals and landscapes.
The campaign was kicked off by Singtel Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, and Gardens by the Bay Chief Executive Officer, Mr Felix Loh, with over 120 guests from the SPED schools, including students, their parents or caregivers, and teaching staff.
Mr Yuen said, “Art is a powerful medium for expression, and we’re proud to be able to give these students a chance to shine through this initiative. We’re also glad to have partners like Gardens by the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, and SMRT who are helping to showcase the students’ talents in more locations so more people can appreciate the capabilities of these students, fostering a more empathetic and inclusive society.”
" Art is a powerful medium for expression, and we’re proud to be able to give these students a chance to shine through this initiative. We’re also glad to have partners like Gardens by the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, and SMRT who are helping to showcase the students’ talents in more locations so more people can appreciate the capabilities of these students, fostering a more empathetic and inclusive society."
Yuen Kuan Moon,
Group CEO, Singtel
Singtel also supports SPED students through the Singtel Touching Lives Fund (STLF), its flagship corporate philanthropy programme. STLF has raised over $58 million in support of the critical educational needs of children and youth with special needs across more than 20 charities, as well as six SPED schools which offer customised education programmes for students to maximise their potential and enhance their prospects for integration into society.
Drawing inspiration from the world around them
As a lead-up to the Expressions Through Art 2024 campaign, 10 students were given a tour of the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay and attended an art workshop where they translated their impressions of the Supertree Grove into creative art pieces. These were among the 37 artworks featured in this year’s campaign.
Aged between seven to 18 years old, the 44 students participating in the Expressions through Art 2024 campaign used watercolour paints, coloured pencils, and markers to bring their imaginations into vivid reality.
Pathlight School Principal, Ms Linda Kho commented, “We are grateful for initiatives like Singtel’s Expressions Through Art that provide a platform for students with special needs to shine. Art is a powerful medium for self-expression and enables our students to express their unique perspectives and creativity. Opportunities like these not only showcase their talents and abilities, but also inspire them to continue developing their artistic passion and maximise their potential.
Ms Noorizan Bte Sharif Foeddin, parent of Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) School (West) student-artist Nurshaqirah Ryhana Bte Shamsha added, "Events like Expressions Through Art help to build the confidence of children with disabilities, and I am incredibly proud that the talent and hard work of my daughter have been recognised. My daughter is also excited and pleased to have had her artwork selected for the art exhibitions, and we hope to be a part of similar events in the future.”
The exhibition will be held at the North Colonnade near the Supertree Grove of the Gardens by the Bay from 7 to 22 November 2024, followed by the National Gallery Singapore from 9 to 22 December 2024. The digitised versions will be displayed on SMRT trains on the North-South, East-West and Circle lines from 9 to 31 December 2024.
Expressions Through Art was first launched in 2022, and past exhibition sites have included National Gallery Singapore, 313@Somerset, SMRT stations, Singtel and NCS offices as well as during the Singtel Charity Golf event.
More details about Singtel’s other initiatives to support SPED students and its six beneficiary schools can be found in Annex A and B respectively.
To view the artworks from past campaigns and the inspiration behind them, visit Expressions Through Art.
For more information on the Singtel Touching Lives Fund, read more here.
Members of the public who wish to make a contribution, can donate online via DBS iBanking, POSB iBanking or Singtel Dash app.
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