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Art Vice

Sullivan + Strumpf Gallery owner, Ursula Sullivan offers words of wisdom to Charley Larcombe on buying art for your home.

 

Humans are incredibly motivated by the visual as well as by stories, so it’s no wonder that art is one of the oldest professions in the world (closely tied with prostitution!). It has become a serious asset class in its own right; at the very least, art is something that most homes have in order to look beautiful. There are those that are voracious collectors with deep desires and deeper pockets to have the greatest works on their walls. But, you don’t have to be a multi-millionaire with a degree in Art History to appreciate, purchase, collect and/or love art; it really is for everyone.

Firstly, you need to understand your motivation for collecting. Are you just trying to get something pretty and affordable to match the sofa? If so, the world is your oyster, simply buy what grabs you from whomever you like. Punch in ‘Affordable Art Singapore’ into Google and go for it.

But if you are motivated by the visual, intellectual, cultural and potential financial rewards, then you do need to research. Good news is that researching art and artists is often fun and social!

BEST WAY TO START?

Go to the museums. Museums take a long-term view and if they have bought a particular artist, they have already ticked many important boxes regarding cultural relevance, longevity, commitment as an artist etc. Biennales are held in many countries and offer a broad cross section of highly regarded artists in one hit. If you approach it with an open mind, you will be surprised how quickly your ‘eye’ will develop. An important element of this research is to understand why something may repel you – asking this can often change your mind and you end up loving it for the visual and intellectual challenge it offers!

WHERE TO BUY?

The second stop is to connect with the gallerists – in Singapore, go to Gillman Barracks which is a cluster of mostly good galleries. Make contact with the gallery staff/owners as they will give you insights into the artist that you would not normally have access to; and if you are enthusiastic, they will be too! Meeting the artists is a fascinating experience as well, and most contemporary galleries will stage artists’ talks, openings where the artist is present, and there’s usually wine and a snack, so mingle and learn.

ART FAIRS

Another avenue to meet multiple gallerists is at art fairs. Some important fairs in the region are Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Stage Singapore, Art Stage Jakarta and Art021 Shanghai. Get into the VIP programme – a gallery will be able to get you a ticket – and get involved. There are a host of talks, studio visits and parties for you to enjoy.

DO IT!

Get a taste of parting with your hard-earned money with something small and something you really like. You’ll soon realise the fun of the experience is one that you want to repeat; but you have to dive in! You can up the budget as you see fit next time.

OR WAIT?

Generally speaking, the more emerging an artist is, the lesser priced they will be. But they are also higher risk, as they have achieved less institutional support (e.g. been acquired by museums), and have not proven their long-term commitment to their career. (Having said that, some galleries will put high prices on an artist’s work regardless of this, so high prices are not insurance for quality.) So you need to be aware of your attitude toward this risk. The more emerging, the less reliance on investment potential you should have.

AUCTION MARKET

The auction market is a great avenue for selling artwork. And as such, it is always worth a look to see if the artist you are considering has an auction record. Bear in mind that not having this, or having under-market value sales, can be for many reasons. For example, a lot of damaged artwork is sold through auction (so get a condition report), and sometimes an artist’s work is very tightly held, so nothing comes up.

Sadly though, I cannot give you all the answers. They will be the results of your own investigation, and will also be the greatest reward. Collecting art is not just for your home, it is for the pleasure of your mind and eyes and also your family legacy. If you understand this, it will be one of the greatest investments you will ever make.

 

Launch of the AIS Outdoor Education Program

The Australian International School has officially launched it’s exciting new Outdoor Education Program, which gives all students from Prep to Year 12 the opportunity to take part in an outdoor learning experience. Students will learn key skills such as teamwork, leadership and resilience, whilst broadening their awareness and appreciation of the natural environment.

Under the leadership of their new Head of Outdoor Education, Cameron Barry, this program will run from 2018 onwards and will provide all our students with new challenging, exciting and thought-provoking experiences. The program is sequential in format, beginning with outdoor day trips for the youngest students and continuing all the way through school life, building each year on the skills learned and challenges faced the previous year.

Cameron has been an Outdoor Education teacher for 14 years. He is passionate about delivering whole school outdoor education programs from Early Years to Senior Years and has seen first-hand how vital Outdoor Education is for today’s children and their social, emotional and physical development.

Cameron started his outdoor education journey on a YMCA summer camp in Wake Forest, North Carolina as a young 18 years old. Since then Cameron has taught and guided students in a range of positions from an assistant group leader, outdoor education instructor, group leader, outdoor education teacher, Assistant Head of Outdoor Education and more recently, Head of Outdoor Education at Brighton Grammar School in Victoria.

Cameron strongly advocates for school programs that challenge and inspire all students in the outdoors.

This exciting new program extends learning well beyond classroom and into natural environments, both here in Singapore for the youngest students and further afield in Malaysia and Thailand for our older students.

Australian International School
www.ais.com.sg

 

ANZA Soccer

Cheers to Charity

Rae Moller of ANZA Action looks forward to this month’s Christmas Charity Event in aid of The Salvation Army.

What social services do the Salvation Army provide in Singapore?

The Salvation Army runs a nursing home, two children’s homes, a programme to help children of prisoners, and Family Support Services – which is what ANZA specifically supports at present.

What does the Family Support Services offer?

FSS works with frail, elderly, and impoverished people mainly living around the Tiong Bahru and Bukit Merah area. These are some of the oldest HDB estates in Singapore, and have many elderly living there, without family or friends. FSS provides pastoral and practical care for these members of the pioneer generation.

What does ANZA do to contribute? 

Once a week, FSS distribute food and care parcels to elderly people in their area. ANZA members help pack and distribute these parcels. This may involve working at The Salvation Army office to pack the goods on a Monday or going out in the van to help with delivery on a Tuesday.

As needed, ANZA members may also help with outings for the elderly – pushing wheelchairs, helping those unsteady on their feet, or just being a friendly face. They may also help out at craft or pamper days at the FSS centre. Each Christmas, theyparticipate in the collection of donations during the Starbucks Christmas Open House.

Where is FSS located?

They are at Blk 42, Beo Crescent – not far from Tiong Bahru Plaza.

So, what can YOU do to help?

You can sign up to help with all of the above. ANZA has a roster catering for three months at a time, so you can help out on a day that suits you, or volunteer for any of the ad hoc events that come up.  You will get to meet some of Singapore’s real characters.

What is the ANZA Christmas Charity Event all about? 

As well as donating our time, ANZA also aims to raise money for FSS so they can buy much-needed items for the elderly. We also have a giving tree where donations of suitable Christmas presents can be dropped off, to give everyone some festive cheer. We’d love to welcome you to our Christmas Charity Event on Thursday 30 November at the Redot Fine Art Gallery to raise a glass of Chandon to new friends, old friends and dear friends.

The Event

ANZA Christmas Charity Event
Thursday 30 November
6.30-9.30pm

Redot Fine Art Gallery
Old Hill Street Police Station, 140 Hill Street, #01-08, 179369

Members tickets: $70
Non-Members tickets: $80

Register for the Event!

For further info: http://www.salvationarmy.org/singapore

Nature’s Steel

Be inspired by irregular architecture produced by a very regular material; bamboo. Charley Larcombe looks to nature’s building blocks.

 

One of the (many) memorable aspects of my vacation on Cempedak Island a few months back, was how the incredible architecture seemed to burst from the earth rather than be built a-top it. Voluptuous ylang-ylang roofs curved into the contours of the island and the structures towered from the sand towards the sky as if Mother Nature had been the engineer herself. This feeling was created, in most part, by the extraordinary use of bamboo – and not in an aesthetic castaway-island superfluity, but in the actual construction. From the vaulted ceilings of the villas, to the drinking straws; from the infrastructure buildings, to the door handles, different types of bamboo were put to hard work – proving the versatility of this very ordinary plant. And how important it could be to the region’s construction. Bamboo doesn’t have to be regulated to beach-side ‘tiki bars or the atypically cultural idea that only the poor and the rural live in a bamboo house – it can be put to use in the design of the best-of-the-best hotels, full-time homes and high-end boutiques.

“What I like about working with bamboo is that it’s a natural material which is flexible yet very strong,” comments architect, Miles Humphries who worked on the Cempedak project. The island’s buildings – from front-of-house to the behind-the-scenes – are bamboo as per the vision from the resort’s owner. “It regrows at a rapid rate and, with over 140 species in the world; it comes in a variety of shapes and colours. It automatically gives a strong interior look to the buildings so it means that the interior is already established… rather than you having to apply a ‘second skin’. I see the use of bamboo like this only growing in popularity – although it has been in use for 100s of years, it is now taking on a new dimension.”

That new dimension is being seen in property throughout SEA. In Ho Chi Minh City, a ‘green’ ethos is being juxtaposed with the concrete jungle and designers from the often polarised visions of-the-moment technology and getting back to nature are shaping the landscape. Throughout the region, architects are pushing the importance of incorporating green space and doing so sustainably.

From the urban to the idyllic, Bali boasts several examples, including another of Humphries’ projects – the incomparable Kubu restaurant at Mundapa, the Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Ubud. The bamboo structure on the banks of the Ayung River includes nine private cocoon tables inspired by traditional rice huts used by the Balinese farmers at harvest. The pomp of white table cloth dining accompanied by a tropical breeze and the natural surroundings combine to make a meal there an immersive experience. “For that project, it was important that Kubu be a part of the landscape, not just built on it,” recalls Humphries.

He is not alone with using bamboo in Bali for a more design-centric purpose – and it isn’t just for the high-end hotels.

Artist and Designer John Hardy has been a strong advocate for the use of bamboo for many years. Harking from Canada, he first visited Bali in the ‘70s and his experiences inspired his world-renowned jewellery collections – and now he clearly wishes to give back to his adopted home.

Back in 2004 he joined forces with Singapore-based architect, Cheong Yew Kuan in building the Kapal Bambu boutique. A 90ft-tall bamboo cathedral, it is referred to as ‘the ship’ and appears to float over the rice paddies, allowing the subak, Bali’s traditional natural irrigation system to flow uninterrupted. They hired the whole village to work on the roofs which were created from hand-cut bamboo shingles, an ancient technique almost lost in Bali.

 

Then, in 2007 Hardy gathered a team, IBUKU, to design and build the Green School, a holistic student-centred environment with nature at its core. The first structure was a bridge connecting the two sides of the river campus and is an outstanding example of what is possible when architects, engineers, designers and craftsmen come together.

This project has since progressed into a growing style – in particular with the Green Village, a collection of stunning homes and Sharma Springs (the jungle fantasy escape for the Sharma family) using the bamboo style and pushing the envelope in terms of design.

The sustainability angle is obviously of great importance – not only for its rapid regeneration but bamboo also absorbs a great deal of carbon dioxide whilst releasing plentiful amounts of oxygen. It ticks the ‘green’ credentials.

“From a sustainability angle, it’s probably as good as it gets,” says Humphries. “It is the fastest growing grass in the world so by the time you have finished building your villa for example, the bamboo that you originally harvested, has already regrown!”

It also boasts incredible strength with a greater tensile strength than steel (meaning it is harder to pull apart) and, with new treatment methods, it now has longevity as a building material.

The beautiful plus, is that this living and breathing building-block feels as good as it looks. It’s smooth and tactile and inviting to the touch – it’s meant to be a hands-on design. Which is why, perhaps, that traditionally the builders work off miniature models of the build as opposed to architect’s drawings.

With so many attributes, it’s no wonder that these structures are growing in popularity. By blurring the lines on the idea that construction can descimate, these structures show they can enhance an area. These buildings are not just surrounded by nature, they are part of it.

The Benefits of Art Therapy​

Art therapy has proven to be a successful form of treatment for special education students and kids with other behavioural, emotional or psychological issues. It allows children to express themselves in non-verbal ways through the use of art tools and supplies. This form of expression can tell a therapist many things. In fact, it provides a way for the child to communicate things they simply cannot say in words. 

Children are encouraged to express their feelings through the art that they create in their session. In addition, they have the chance to learn social skills, gain cognitive growth, obtain coping mechanisms through the resolution of frustration and practice sensorimotor skills such as sensory stimulation and hand-eye coordination. In addition, practical skills are learned such as how to locate the art supplies, ways in which to utilize certain tools and the importance of putting away their supplies and cleaning themselves up. 

The kinds of artwork done by students are quite varied. They may include making collages, drawing pictures, painting murals, crafting puppets and creating sculptures, among a myriad of other activities. All of these are ways for the child to express their feelings and to provide information indirectly to the therapist. This approach to therapeutic intervention is a very useful tool in dealing with various disabilities and behavioural issues. Of course an art therapist can also work with students with emerging talents to help grow and hone their skill; which is very beneficial for their self-esteem as well as their future employability. 

Melbourne Specialist International School (MSIS) located in the Dempsey area of Singapore offers a unique and innovative model for teaching students aged 3 – 21 years with intellectual and multiple disabilities.  The current curriculum follows a visual and performing art Programme in collaboration with the Victorian Education Board, Australia. Teachers, specialists and therapists work together to address the specific needs of each student tailoring a unique educational programme for that individual.  

 

Chloé Dunn-Lee has recently been appointed as the new Art Therapist at MSIS. She is a trained Art Therapist and has Masters in Art Therapy from LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore, BA in  Education and Training from University of Geneva and is a registered art therapist with the Australian and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZATA). She truly believes every child is able to grow to be a fulfilled, happy and successful individual with the appropriate support. 

 

At MSIS, Chloe has been engaged in providing sensorial experiences to the children to help them experience the joys of making marks and develop a keen interest in creating art using different mediums to express themselves.   

 

Melbourne Specialist International School has a team of in house specialist including an Educational Psychologist, Speech Therapist and Behaviour Therapist as well as Art Therapist, Chloe.  Additionally there is the support of Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Speech and Art therapy as well as Dance, Music and Drama specialists each week who attend the school at set times when required.  These specialists and therapists share their expertise with the classroom teachers who utilize that knowledge to enrich their own daily lessons.  MSIS provides one-on-one therapy sessions that can all be done within school premises.   This alleviates the need for the child to travel to various appointments in multiple locations which makes the school a highly beneficial option to parents and children.  

 

MSIS is a unique school that offers all students the opportunity to become independent, access the school curriculum, gain social interaction opportunities and have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that is based on each individual need and goal.

 

Melbourne Specialist International School 

75C Loewen Road 

Singapore 

248853

+65 6634 8891 

www.msis.edu.sg

admissions@msis.edu.sg

ANZA Magazine November 2017

Ice Versus Fire

Looking to push yourself even further? How about an ultramarathon amidst the highest peaks in the world? Or what about running through a landscape more densely populated by horses than people? Incredible sporting achievements; unbelievable insights to different cultures and life-changing views to see. These are the ultimate runs in Asia.

Just to get everyone on the same page, an ultramarathon is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 26.2 miles, but the two covered here are ultra in landscape and distance.

Although your body may tell you otherwise after your first ultramarathon distance, these extraordinary endurance races are better than their shorter cousins as invariably an ultra is amongst nature in a stunning landscape, as opposed to the unrelenting tarmac of a city race. So if you feel the need to get out of Singapore to push yourself a little further, take a look at these ultra-races; The Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon and the Gobi March. Described as two of the greatest in Asia, they have to be on the bucket list of a runner looking to go the extra mile (sometimes extra 50…) as well as witness incredible environments. Let’s inspire you.

Tackle Everest

Technically, the Tenzing-Hillary Everest is a marathon as the actual race itself is the 26.2miles distance, although an Ultra distance is sometimes also run. However, the three-week altitude acclimatisation and the tough ascent up to Everest base camp pre-run definitely gives this race the ‘ultra’ feel.

Competitors fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, and then embark on a 14-day trek through Sherpa villages with snow-capped mountains as the hiking backdrops. The runners can visit Buddhist monasteries such as Pangboche, one of the oldest in the area, and Thyangboche, the biggest in the Himalayas along the way before making Base Camp at an incredible height of 17,598ft. This is where the race – named after the first successful ascent of the mountain by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953 – begins. It is the only trip, bar mountaineering expeditions, that has overnight camping right at the base of the towering Mount Everest, near the famous Khumbu Glacier.

Essentially, competitors take two weeks to hike to the start point at 5,364m, to then run down to the Sherpas capital of Namche Bazaar at 3,446m. The world’s highest marathon has two uphill sections within the race, despite the fact that most of the course is downhill and naturally, competitors are to expect snow and ice on the upper parts and the dangers of exposure to serious elements along much of the marathon route.

And don’t forget, they may have run an extreme distance in extreme conditions, but they still have to get all the way back down the mountain so there’s a further two days of trekking once the race is completed. If that isn’t intense, then really, what is?

Face the Desert

The Gobi March, part of the 4 Deserts Race Series (one of the top 10 endurance competitions in the world) is a 250km self-supported footrace through Mongolia. Taking place over seven days, competitors begin in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, follow the footsteps of the Great Genghis Khan, before finishing in Karakorum, the 13th and 14th century capital of the Khan’s empire in the vast Steppe.

Competitors who travel to the ‘Land of the Eternal Sky’ will pass through the UNESCO Heritage Site of the stunning Okrhon Valley and not only be blown away by the great rock valleys and old forests and sweeping views of the Steppes, but also the sheer loneliness of a country with more horses and cows than people. The weather is amongst the most extreme in the world with -30 °C during the winter; to +40 °C during the summer (temps during the race in July/ early August can range from 5-35 °C so competitors have to be prepared for all sorts).

Approximately 20% of competitors run the entire course (the fastest time at around 24 hours), 60% combine running with walking; whilst the remaining 20% solely walk the route which could take around 70 hours. They stay in traditional yurts along the way and get to experience a largely untouched culture, including witnessing the Naadam Festival. Mongolia’s biggest celebration, it features the ‘three games of men’ which is archery, horse racing and Mongolian racing.

It is this combination of gruelling miles and extraordinary culture that makes the Gobi March a particularly important race amongst ultramarathon runners, and those looking for a great, new experience.

By Charley Larcombe

Photos by: Anuj D Adhikary & courtesy of Shikhar Pendey

Choosing the right bilingual programme for your child

Chinese-English bilingual programmes offer children many benefits, yet deciding which one is best for your child can be challenging. Huali Xiong, Head of Chinese at Canadian International School (CIS) and author of the best selling Big Apple Chinese Programme, shares why CIS has been a popular choice for so many families.

Substantial experience

CIS’ Chinese-English bilingual programme was one of the first to be offered in Singapore by an international school. Our extensive experience makes us one of the most trusted international schools in the region to educate students in becoming fluent communicators in both languages.

Outstanding student progress

After just one year in the programme, kindergarten students with no prior knowledge of Chinese can accurately understand and follow their teacher’s instructions. Many are also capable of communicating clearly with their Chinese teacher. By the end of Grade 1, after two years in the programme, all our students can communicate confidently and read simple books in Chinese without the help of pinyin (romanization of Chinese characters).

Available from Kindergarten to grade 6

Our programme is available to students in junior kindergarten through to grade 6 and offered at both our Lakeside and Tanjong Katong campuses. It is fully aligned to the International Baccalaureate PYP and there are no limits on the number of classes available per grade (we currently have over 30 bilingual classes). We also have a specific pathway in place once the programme ends for students to maintain their high level of Chinese during Secondary School.

Experienced, native speaking teachers

All subjects are taught in each language by native speaking teachers. Students attend lessons in English one day and Chinese the next. One of the key benefits of this two-teacher model is that it compels students to communicate with their teachers in both languages, not just the one they feel most comfortable with.

Strong focus on learning Chinese culture

For all classes taught in Chinese, we try to integrate the Chinese culture into students’ learning where possible. This ensures our students are not just learning empty, meaningless symbols but also the correct forms of address, etiquette and behaviour.

Unique reading programme

CIS has one of the most extensive guided reading programmes amongst international schools in Singapore. Our programme covers 36 levels and includes three native speaking Chinese literacy coaches responsible for providing students with tailored, individual reading support. We also have a well stocked library with over 1,000 Chinese fiction books and every student enrolled in the programme has an account to the leading Wawayaya Joy Reader App.

To learn more about CIS’ Chinese-English bilingual programme and what factors to think about when choosing a bilingual programme for your child, register here for a coffee morning with Huali on November 22. After the talk, you will also have the chance to visit classrooms and observe first hand what learning looks like in their popular bilingual programme.

www.cis.edu.sg/

New Principal at AIS

Dr Eddie Groughan has taken on the role of Principal at the Australian International School(AIS). Eddie takes over from Andre Casson, who will be moving into the role of Head of School following Simon Leslie’s departure at the end of this academic year.

Eddie is no stranger to the world of international education, having been a Principal at four well-regarded schools across Australia and Asia (Pulteney Grammar School and Pedare Christian College in South Australia; Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Queensland and Dulwich College in Shanghai). He has also been a Deputy Headmaster at Aquinas College, and a Head of Sport at the Hale School in Perth, Western Australia. Eddie’s teaching began at the Sydney Grammar School where he taught Science and Physical Education from K-12.

In his academic endeavours, Eddie holds a Doctoral degree in educational history with a thesis on the social effects of the Great War. His university association includes a year as an Associate Professor, teaching and devising units of study in a Master’s of Educational Leadership program at the Australian Catholic University. 

Eddie believes that learning is a means to self-fulfilment. As an insight to this belief, Eddie was a late starter to study beyond school, gaining a Diploma of Physical Education at the age of thirty before progressing to a Doctorate over the subsequent fourteen years. 

Beyond schools and formal education, Eddie has been a Hawaiian Ironman, a first-grade rugby player for the Gordon club in Sydney, and has competed in a number of endurance events. He remains keen on his fitness and guitar.

Eddie says of his new role at AIS “I’m extremely excited to be joining the school and I have already been made to feel so welcome by every member of the AIS community – parents, staff and of course our wonderful students. I believe what really sets this school apart from others is its’ friendly, inclusive community which values each and every child and helps them to follow their dreams – whether these be academic, sporting or in the Arts. There is a place for every child here and it’s great to see so many happy, smiling faces as I walk around the campus.”   

If you’ll like a chance to meet Dr Eddie Groughan visit our Open House on 9 November. Book your place now!

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