The Blue Charity Gala in aid of BT BAF & SPD

30 August 2019 – Press Release

Standing Together in Support of the Young and People with Disabilities

SINGAPORE, 30 August 2019 – Themed Stand by Me, The Blue Charity Gala held at Resorts World Sentosa on 30 August saw more than 600 individuals and corporates coming together in support of SPD and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF).

Local disability charity SPD and not-for-profit arts organisation The RICE Company Limited (TRCL), which manages BT BAF, joined hands for the first time to raise more than $500,000 for persons with disabilities and young persons with aspirations in the arts.

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Moving (54 x 63 cm)

Amaharashi (雨晴らし) Coast in Toyama (富山), Japan (38 x 51) A solitary rock formation stands tall against the backdrop of a vibrant blue sky, dotted with fluffy white clouds. The sea reflects the colours of the sky, creating a mesmerising contrast with the rugged coastline.

Covid Christmas Eve, Bhutan (21 x 28 cm)The cascading ice formations resemble delicate chandeliers, shimmering in the soft light. Just as water transforms into ice, so too can we undergo personal growth and change.

Double Take, Norway (28 x 35 cm)I made a stopover in Oslo, en route to the Arctic Circle in 2018. “Good things come in pairs” is a Chinese proverb that means harmony and order can be achieved when two opposing forces are in balance.

雪の森 Forest Snow (21 x 28 cm)雪森に 静かに映る 冬の池 (Translation) Forest Snow In the snowy forestReflected in the still waters Winter’s pondKaruizawa (軽井沢), JapanWinter is a season of dormancy, a time for rest and renewal. Even in the depths of winter, there is hope and possibility. Just as the trees will eventually bloom again in spring, so too will we experience growth and renewal, whatever our trials and tribulations.

Friend or Foe? (51 x 68 cm)The sky, a canvas of swirling blues and whites, evokes a sense of both tranquillity and drama, mirroring the dynamic nature of the Arctic environment.

Mekong Meanderings (60 x 80 cm)In the heart of Luang Prabang in Laos, where the Mekong River winds its way through the land, a fisherman starts his morning way before everyone else. The early morning mist adds a layer of mystery. Time seems to stand still.

Ogijima (男木島) Island, Japan. (26 X 35 cm)The ferry terminal is a marvel of contemporary design. The building seems to seamlessly blend into its surroundings, creating a harmonious connection between land and sea. If only our man-made structures were consistently unintrusive in Nature.

Penang’s Batu Ferringhi Beach, Malaysia (32 x 40 cm)Silhouetted against this dramatic backdrop, a lone parasail gracefully glides across the sky. I am thankful for this trip to explore Penang with my daughter.

Phang Nga Bay, Thailand (45 x 56 cm)I am surrounded by towering limestone cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea. I miss kayaking in this stunning region, where nature’s beauty takes centrestage.

Allure (20 x 20 cm)Silky black threads, Softly sway. Like a hummingbird’s wings, You flutter, enchant, Tease, tantalise. With spellbinding allure You capture my heart. With elegance and grace, You captivate. Luscious lashes,Oh, how you mesmerise. Each flutter demure and delicate, Sends passionate shivers down my spine.It’s been some time since the young giraffe in Africa took its first step. But its expressive eyes still carry sweet innocence and naivety.

Breeding, Breathing, Balloon (15 x 15 cm)A male frigatebird in Galapagos, with its incredibly inflated scarlet throat pouch, is magnificently amplified. Frigatebirds can fly over great distances, and higher than 4,000 meters in freezing conditions. That said, the adults are largely sedentary. Like me. Where I am, I can soar too, as my mind is free.

Double Trouble (25 x 25 cm)A pair of leopard cubs nestle in their lush crèche in the canopy. Their striking spotted coats blend with the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves, the perfect camouflage for naptime.

Frolic (30 x 30 cm)In Canada, I sighted a mother bear and her cubs in the British Columbia’s wilderness. Amidst rugged coastline, dotted with rocky islands and lush vegetation, they make a picture-perfect family.

Gentle Power (24X30 cm)Capturing the immense power and gentle spirit of an African elephant in South Africa. The intricate details of the elephant’s wrinkled skin and weathered tusk reveal a lifetime of experiences and wisdom.

Go with the Flow (28 x 35 cm)Missing my late wife, whom I met while studying in Japan, I visited Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, home to diverse marine life, such as this jellyfish. With its vibrant colours and delicate form, it is a testament to the beauty and complexity of the marine ecosystem. It is the same in Life.

Invisible (to) Me (24 x 24 cm)At a secluded pond in Karuizawa (軽井沢), nestled amidst lush greenery, I sight a solitary duck, its head submerged. Karuizawa is a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the Tokyo Metropolis. Don’t we all need our own sanctuaries from time to time?

Little Green Delight (20 x 20 cm)When I could move independently, I enjoyed discovering Singapore’s nooks and crannies on foot. Along Old Upper Thomson Road, I sighted her.

Reach High (24 x 30 cm)What we want may sometimes seem out of our reach. Try and try again.With grace and precision, elephants in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools can balance on their hind legs to reach higher into the treetops for a quick meal.

Mummy (30 x 30 cm)In your arms Hug me tight The world feels Oh-so-rightI miss you so much.A Mother’s LoveBaboons in Botswana’s Mashatu Reserve, 2019. A quiet mother and child moment up in the trees. How we wish you are still with us today, Lok Yan.

Rock On (20 x 20 cm)This lava lizard is striking in its distinctive appearance. It is a living reminder of the island’s unique evolutionary history. He is still as a statue. Both of us are passing through time.

Si Gin Nah (21 x 28 cm)A long-tailed macaque, its face etched with determination, carries its infant across the Upper Peirce Reservoir in Singapore. It is a reminder of the need to strike a delicate balance between urbanisation and protecting our forests and wildlife.

Three (60 x 60)The stillness of these three pigeons poised on a cable-wire evokes peace and tranquillity, even as the entire world grapples with the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

Abode of Snow (21 x 28 cm)I am flying over the Himalayas. The name of the range in Sanskrit means “abode of snow”. The mountains are vast and powerful. I feel small and insignificant, yet incredibly connected to the world that God created.

Circle of Stupas (40 x 50 cm)Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2018, I visited this awe-inspiring Buddhist monument. It is a must-visit for anyone seeking. I felt as if I time-travelled into a magical past and caught a glimpse of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.

乐 (21 x 28 cm) 湖畔亭台映碧波， 叹为观止美如画。 近水楼台先得月， 独享亭景胜千金。 世外桃源伴我身， 流连忘返乐无穷， 良辰美景须珍惜。English translation available in the photobook.Ji Xian pavilion (集贤亭) in West Lake, Hangzhou, reminds me of a mirror reflecting the image of the world above—but with a subtle shift in perspective. It makes me wonder about the nature of reality and the way things appear to us. Is what we can see the only truth, or is there something deeper beneath the surface?

Jokhang Temple, Tibet (28 x 35 cm)The golden dragon head, a symbol of protection and wisdom, is a reminder of the temple’s spiritual significance. The bells hanging from the roof are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring blessings. Its gilded protector looks to the uncertain days ahead. The clouds above waltz by.

Misty Mirage (30 x 40 cm)I captured this vista from the COMO Punakha, Bhutan in 2021. As the world continued to battle COVID-19, I found myself spending the last day of 2021 and the first day of 2022 here in quiet contemplation. This is the view of Khamsum Valley Namgyal Chorten. This sanctuary in the clouds stands as a beacon of peace.

Moving, Feeling Light (45 x 60 cm)Declaring God’s glory, this celestial show, His exquisite handiwork on full display. In the darkest depths, His light shines forth.

Roof Work (36 x 45 cm)A Tibetan man is deeply immersed in his task of installing prayer flags. It is my first trip to Tibet, an autonomous region of China that is often called “the roof of the world.”

Tetris-Living (52 x 65 cm)Hong Kong’s dense urban landscape is weaved inextricably with bittersweet memories of time spent with my late wife and her family and friends. My beloved grew up in one of these apartments - running, reading, sleeping, breathing - under many azure skies. I snapped this photograph, lying on my back, on the pavement.