Local Motifs On A Locomotive
Band Of Doodlers Make Some Noise
Art exists in many forms. Breaking barriers constantly, is the Band of Doodlers, founded in 2013. Made up of illustrators, artists and designers from the region, this 800-strong community encourages fun collaborations to promote interaction through art.
Last Friday, the National Arts Council and Band of Doodlers unveiled an art exhibition that literally moves. Other than the fact that the creative process involves youths from social service organisations, making it emotionally stirring, the showcase is actually on a moving train. The raison d’etre of the Noise Singapore programme is to foster a sense of community among youths. https://www.noisesingapore.com/About-Noise The method of delivery also brings art to everyday commuters on the Downtown Line.
Launch Of Noise Local Motif
As this occurred during the school holidays, I had M4 & M5 in tow. Our journey began at Bukit Panjang Station where we met some artists as well as youths from the social service organisations. M5 & I spent some time chatting with a boy who has Osteogenesis Imperfecta. His mother & I swapped parenting notes about how art has helped our kids to develop.
To launch this art exhibition, I suppose there is no better person than Mr Baey Yam Keng. After all, he is the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth, and Transport. Full of energy and smiles, he spent time with both the beneficieries and artists, and even my kids. Together, we boarded the train and investigated the art on the floors and walls, until our journey ended at Sixth Avenue Station.
Although fine art is the form in which financial value lies, creative art is the best form of investment. I’m glad my kids were able to experience what I did on that train.
The Art of Understated Luxury
An Introduction To Delvaux
The next day, I attended a party thrown by Delvaux. As this was my first time in the boutique, I was excited to be introduced to this brand. Classics include the Brilliant created in 1958 with Paule Goethals, the famous Belgian architect. I was also shown the Tempete whose design is modelled after a sailboat’s trapeze. I loved the feel of the buttery soft leather interior and placed it back on the shelf with some regret.
Quirky Cool
Other than the iconic bags, Delvaux also carries quirky pieces, some inspired by Belgian artist, Rene Magritte. I found this video online, Les Miniatures Belgitude, a collaboration with Jaco Van Dormael:
Before I left, Delvaux arranged for me to meet a tarot card reader. Although I’m a woman of science, I do recognise there are many things we can’t explain, and this tarot card reader got many things right about my strange circumstances. Of course, she had an unfair advantage. Coincidentally, she & I studied literature together decades ago, so I suppose she probably knows me more than most. After all, while science explains the body, art reveals the soul. Wouldn’t you agree?
The Fine Art Of Being A Woman
Later that evening, I went to the St Regis Hotel to attend a gala organised by the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations. This annual affair is held every March to honor International Women’s Day. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with friends from other organisations like AWARE, the Financial Women’s Association and UN Women besides my fellow doctors & dentists. Onstage, female pioneers from various sectors were inducted into the Hall of Fame, President Halimah Yacob gave a stirring speech, and a group of talented children danced and sang their hearts out.
After dinner, some of us headed over to the Manhattan Bar for a nightcap. You might remember that I alluded to some stress in my previous article: Gin And A Weekend Of Healing Tonics. Other than discussing serious issues about the current state of affairs affecting healthcare workers and the health economics in Singapore, we bonded over personal challenges & successes.
When I was in university, there was a quota on the number of females who could study medicine. Today, we still have some way to go before achieving gender parity in our profession. Sometimes I feel that the art of being a woman is figuring out our strengths and weaknesses and accepting support from others. Well this is my tribe and I sure am grateful for their support.
