Inaugural Neo Kah Kiat Arts Award to honor exceptional talent among artists with disabilities
At the Shaping Hearts 2024 inclusive arts festival, held at Our Tampines Hub on October 19, the Neo Kah Kiat Arts Award was introduced to recognize the extraordinary talents of artists with disabilities. This new set of awards, launched by the Mayor of North East District Desmond Choo, is named after the founder of caterer Neo Group, Mr. Neo Kah Kiat, and is supported by a $1 million commitment over five years.
One of the artists featured in the event is Madam Moy Saw Han, a 50-year-old former lawyer who lost most of her vision due to glaucoma in 2018. Despite the challenges posed by her condition, including total blindness in one eye and reduced vision in the other, Madam Moy discovered a passion for painting in 2023. Her painting, Autumn Beauty, a landscape of sunflowers, is now in the running for the award, which includes categories such as Painting of the Year and Popular Painting.
The sixth edition of the festival featured over 500 artworks by more than 200 artists with disabilities, both local and international. These artworks, including Madam Moy’s, are on display until November 3 and are available for purchase. The awards will be announced in November, and the event is set to continue fostering inclusivity in the arts community.
Mr. Choo, also an MP for Tampines GRC, emphasized that the awards aim to offer artists with disabilities the same recognition they would receive in any other art exhibition. “Every visit to the exhibition, every purchase of the artwork, is a recognition of their excellence and journey,” he remarked.
For the first time, the festival has gone international, showcasing works from artists in cities including Hanoi and Amman. This expansion highlights the universal nature of art, with many artists using it as a form of expression, especially those who are non-verbal.
Madam Moy shared that her art reflects her perspective on life and her disability. Through her landscapes, she hopes to convey the message that every day is a new opportunity for hope and renewal.
