Qi Speakers Reunion over Art for a Cause
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 11:21AM By Lira Low Roberts
Qi 2010 Speakers Tim 'Mac' Macartney and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and President of Timor Leste H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos Horta reunited on 27 May at the Little Arts Academy in Singapore, where President Ramos Horta graced the opening of Looi Siao Siang's first solo exhibition as guest-of-honour.
We were in luck! Founder of Ebercombe Tim 'Mac' Macartney was in town for the WWF's One Planet Leader's Asia Pacific Programme, while President Ramos Horta had dropped by for a quick visit and to officiate the opening of the art exhibition. First thing on Friday, we bundled Mac into the car between morning programme sessions and sped him off to a charming, creative space for disadvantaged youth called the Little Arts Academy. Looi Siao Siang, a 20 year old talented artist who was born with a brain injury and grew up with sensory challenges, launched Beautiful Wild Animals, his first solo art exhibition.
Looi presents President Ramos Horta with a painting
Tim 'Mac' Macartney
Looi generously donated part of the sales proceeds of his paintings to The Business Times Budding Artists Fund (BT BAF) and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (STSPMF), with the rest to fund his upcoming trip to Timor Leste later this year. With Timor Leste's natual abundance of diverse flora and fauna, it will no doubt be an ideal destination for Siao Siang to embark on his next artistic journey.
A proud moment
The 22 selected paintings featured in the exhibition reflect Siao Siang’s innate love for animals. These artworks depict the natural beauty and majestic power of these creatures in their natural environments, and are expressed with childlike sensitivity through the use of bright colours with bold patterns. We had an amazing time catching up with Mac and President Ramos Horta as we were surrounded and awed by the stunning artwork. Refreshed, and uplifted by the power of hope and beauty.
