State of the Arts: Nov 7 to 14

SINGAPORE — Last weekend, National Arts Council (NAC) chief executive Kathy Lai’s opinion piece about the “tough balancing act” of arts funding was published in The Straits Times, in response to earlier critical opinions expressed by Cultural Medallion recipients Ong Keng Sen and Haresh Sharma, who argued for unconditional support. The debate continued online with other artists offering their own views on the matter. Meanwhile, public art was also in the spotlight, after the National Parks Board withdrew support for NAC’s community art project by an Australian artist — which aimed to paint a clump of trees blue as a commentary on deforestation — after objections from environmentalists and despite reassurances of the paint’s safety by the arts council. On the museum front, the Asian Civilisations Museum opens its doors today with a series of events to mark the end of the first phase of its multi-million dollar revamp, while the National Gallery Singapore announced its special exhibitions — on Singaporean artist Chua Ek Kay and Chinese artist Wu Guanzhong — in conjunction with the opening celebrations. It also announced it has received a S$5 million donation from hedge fund manager Danny Yong, the largest individual contribution in Singapore. Elsewhere, the Singapore Writers Festival wrapped up, a restaging of Beauty World and the second Affordable Art Fair of the year both kicked off, and Singapore Lyric Opera celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala concert. MAYO MARTIN