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Source:
www.acm.org.sg |
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Asian Civilisations Museum
Receives S$5 million Gift For Expansion Of Its China Gallery |
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Chinese culture will get a significant
boost with the planned expansion of the Asian Civilisations Museum’s
China Gallery. The museum has received a $5 million gift from Hong
Leong Foundation for the project – the largest cash donation made to
the museum to date. The donation will cover part of the cost of the
expansion of the museum’s Chinese gallery and acquisition of
artefacts for the collection. |
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“We are truly delighted with this
generous donation from Hong Leong Foundation,” said Dr Kenson Kwok,
Director of the Asian Civilisations Museum. “While there is
currently an embargo on building projects under the government
agencies, with this donation will enable us to start on design work
and costing studies. This is the single largest cash donation to the
ACM to date.” |
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This donation marks the second time that
Hong Leong Foundation has given to the ACM. In 2001, Hong Leong
Foundation gave S$2.8 million for the establishment of the ACM’s
China gallery, which is named after Hong Leong Group’s founder, the
late Mr Kwek Hong Png. |
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“In a challenging economic climate,
donations play an even greater role in helping to further the arts,”
said Dr Kwok. “While some may feel the arts should take a back seat
to the economy right now, we believe that it is through the arts and
culture that people can gain inspiration and encouragement in bleak
times.” |
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This second donation of S$5 million in
funds is part of Hong Leong Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote
the understanding and appreciation of Chinese art and culture.
Established in 1980, Hong Leong Foundation is the charity arm of the
Hong Leong Group, which is dedicated to the philanthropic causes of
the Group, including the arts, education and welfare. |
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With the expansion, the museum has plans
to revamp the current China gallery display. One of the highlights
of the redesigned space will be an area dedicated to the arts of
Fujian. Highlights would include regional specialties from Fujian
such as longyan wood furniture and the museum's collection of
blanc de chine porcelain from Dehua - one of the best in the
world. |
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Fujian or Hokkien culture is especially
meaningful for the Group, as the Group’s founder, the late Kwek Hong
Png, hailed from the region. Born in 1913 in the Tung Ann (Tongan)
district of Fujian, Mr Kwek struck out on his own at the tender age
of 16, and came to Singapore to build his fortune. |
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“Usually when people think of Hokkien,
they think about the food or the language,” said Mr Kwek Leng Beng,
son of the elder Kwek, and Executive Chairman of the Hong Leong
Group. “But Fujian is also about fine art and rich culture. We want
to bring this aspect closer to Singaporeans through this project.” |
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The Hokkiens are the largest Chinese
dialect group in Singapore, constituting around 40% of the Chinese
Singaporean population. They originated from the southern parts of
the Fujian province, including Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Quanzhou. The
early Hokkiens were key to Singapore’s development into a regional
trading hub, being actively involved in the early trading at the
Singapore River. |
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“In uncertain times, remembering the
toil of our forefathers can not only be a source of inspiration, but
encouragement as well,” said Mr Kwek. “Heritage is a part of our
society that cannot be forgotten. By working with the Asian
Civilisations Museum, we hope to be able to inform and educate
future generations about the roots of our forefathers.” |
About the Asian Civilisations Museum
The Asian Civilisations
Museum's mission is to explore and present the cultures and
civilisations of Asia, so as to promote awareness and appreciation
of the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans and their links to
Southeast Asia and the World. The Asian Civilisations Museum first
began its operations at Armenian Street in 1997, which closed at
end-2005, and re-opened on 25 April 2008 as the Peranakan Museum.
The ACM’s flagship at the historic Empress Place Building opened on
2 March 2003. |
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Source:
www.acm.org.sg Press Release
7 Apr 2009 |
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FrontPage Edition: Mon 13 Apr 2009
