As A Boy, 122 x 122 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
In Father’s Arms, 101 x 76 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Siblings, 100 x 100 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
MacRitchie, 150 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
On a Date, 120 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Courtship, 120 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
In the Library, 122 x 122 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
One.Two.Three, 100 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Moment in Chess Game, 150 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Outing on Boat, 122 x 152 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
I Got It!, 150 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Play, 122 x 152 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Bridge of Sighs 1948, 100 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Bridge of Sighs 1974, 100 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Dote, 122 x 122 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Convocation, 120 x 150 cm, Oil on Canvas, 2010
Harry, Lee Kuan Yew
Inspiration
I chanced upon a photograph of Minister Mentor as a young boy and was intrigued. This was an image of Minister Mentor so different from the famous politician persona we usually see in the media or parliamentary sittings.
This piqued my interest and made me curious about him as a private person. Enthused, I read his biographies. This led on to more fascination and I was inspired to present a fresh perspective of him in private moments.
A Visual Narrative
While many stories and accounts have been written about Minister Mentor, this exhibition presents a fresh narrative of private moments of him as few of us ever saw in the form of paintings.
The Arts House is a meaningful space for this exhibition as it is also The Old Parliament House – a national heritage which holds important memories of Minister Mentor in Singapore’s history. It is also a house of Singaporean’s stories, the viewers’ stories, just as Minister Mentor’s story shapes Singapore.
Public Private Person
Interestingly, while there are abundant news and stories about Minister Mentor in this age of mass communication, what we know of him as a private person is modest.
In the paintings, we see Minister Mentor in various ages and stages of his life, and with the people dear to him who enabled and supported him.
We see him with fresh eyes as a young child, and who would have known this young boy would later become a giant of a man of his time? We see him as a young lad pursuing the love of his life, later to become his wife. We see him in spontaneous, laissez-faire, casual, charming, cosy yet dignified postures. We see tender gestures towards his family usually reserved for private moments not seen in his public persona.
There is a quiet and subtle quality of accessibility to this well-known man that a young artist like myself find most fascinating. The solemn and serious politician image takes a back seat here.
This is a man who is a son, brother, husband, father and grandfather.
This is Harry, Lee Kuan Yew.
Acknowledgment: Source: Singapore Press Holdings
All images are copyright and belong to the artist.
Ong Hui Har
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