PORTRAITS OF VALOUR

If there was a Chinese phrase that summed up what artists from the Singapore Art Society felt when they visited military camps over the last few months, it would be ???? (meaning "eye-opener").

In fact, they were so awed by the tough training which Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) go through, that some of them expressed their feelings through calligraphy with said phrase during the visits.

In this project initiated by the Society to commemorate 50 years of NS, 60 artists volunteered to draw, paint or sculpt a scene of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from which they took inspiration.

Camp visits were organised to give them a deeper understanding of what the SAF does. For example, they got to experience shooting with the Singapore Assault Rifle 21 at a simulator and observed recruits going through Basic Military Training (BMT) at Pulau Tekong.

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ang Ai Hua, who organised the visits, loved the idea of portraying NS through art.

"The art scene is a community that we normally do not associate with the military. Through the eyes of the artists, we can bring out a softer and more beautiful side of NS," said the 45-year-old Head of NS Outreach and Engagement.

"We hope that the art society can depict the military from an artistic, civilian perspective so that people can understand NS better."

The art pieces will be exhibited at various venues from June to December for public viewing, beginning with the launch at ION Art Gallery (24 to 29 Jun). Other venues include The Arts House (2 to 15 Jul) and Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre (30 Jul to 13 Aug). Members of the public who are interested in bringing a piece of NS50 art home can purchase them from the Singapore Art Society.

Picture-perfect

Love art? Here's a sneak peek at some pieces you can expect to see at the exhibitions!

If I can go through it, so can you

Oil painting

WANG FEI, 45

MY INSPIRATION: When we went to the BMT Centre, LTC Ang gave a pep-talk to the recruits as they were very weary and drained from their training. She said something that inspired my painting -- "If I can go through it, so can you".

The art piece showcases the bond of a female Regular encouraging recruits, and the camaraderie between them. Each of the 19 recruits has his own actions and expressions as a reaction to LTC Ang's words.

After all, these recruits are just your average boys going through a rite of passage. Seeing them train so hard and knowing that they will become protectors of our country touches me deeply.

Fearless protector

Mixed media on canvas

P. GNANA, 46

MY INSPIRATION: My inspiration comes from a soldier's strength. Through a collage of muted colours like black, green and grey and materials resembling the SAF uniform, I want to evoke feelings of the toughness of military life.

As this is an abstract piece, it is up to the viewers to interpret what the piece is trying to portray. My works are usually focused on relationship themes and creating this piece was challenging. But just like how the soldiers use two years of their lives to train, I also wanted to step out of my comfort zone and take a different approach to bring out the resilience of SAF soldiers.

French horn player

Pastel colour painting

SIO SIT MIN, 70

MY INSPIRATION: When I visited Nee Soon Camp and saw the SAF Band rehearsing, I was intrigued by the bold colours of their uniforms. I took lots of pictures during their performance and narrowed it down to a French horn player from the band. I felt that the splashes of red, white and gold bring out a softer side of the SAF -- one which the public does not usually associate the military with.

On another note, I thoroughly enjoyed myself during the camp visits as I never knew that the SAF had so many departments and units.

My most memorable visit? BMTC, as the beginning is always the toughest and I could see the young recruits giving their all to train.

Pulau Tekong

Watercolour painting

ANNE LIM, 52

MY INSPIRATION: As I'm a scenery painter, I was very inspired by the lush greenery in Pulau Tekong.

This painting is based on the scene where recruits were resting while waiting for their turn to train. Although the colours in Tekong are largely green, I decided to add tinges of blue in the painting to exude a cooler touch.

I hope that when recruits look at my art piece, they will see a different perspective of serving NS. Training may be tough, but sometimes, all it takes is an adjustment of mindset. Just pause and look at the lush greenery, and you may not be so vexed about having to go through NS.