The Straits Times: At the Root of it all, he's a winner

Mr Chen Shi-Jin with his prize-winning entry, Root, at last night's result announcement of UOB's 15th Painting of the Year competition. — Picture by WONG KWAI CHOW.

Original publication: The Straits Times
Date: June 27, 1996
Republished for archival purposes

DESPITE having just won the top prize of $12,000 in an art competition, artist Chen Shi-Jin is determined to not let it get to his head.

"Life is as per normal," he stressed at last night's announcement of the results of the United Overseas Bank Group's 15th Painting of the Year competition, held at the Singapore Art Museum.

"Of course I am happy," said the 36-year-old artist. "But I would carry on painting anyway even if I hadn't won anything."

The judges for the competition were, in contrast, more effusive. In describing his Chinese ink and colour painting entitled Root, chief judge Marjorie Chu said "the painting is like a symphony", containing "the thunderous sounds of the trees and the roots and the tinkling of bells somewhere behind the trees".

Mr Goh Beng Kwan, a well-known homegrown artist, and Mr Tan Teo Kwang, curator of an art gallery, were also on the panel.

Also included in the panel were overseas judges Manjit Bawa, a renowned artist from India, and Mr Guy Warren, former principal lecturer and head of department of Painting at Sydney College of the Arts in Australia.

The winners in the other categories were:

• Abstract: On The Edge, a mixed media painting by Mr Luis Lee;

• Representational: Woman after William de Kooning, an ink on rice paper painting by Mr Anthony Chua;

• Traditional Chinese: Primitive 96-3, a Chinese ink and colour painting by Mr Tristone Aw; and

• Most Promising Young Artist: Memory of Malacca, a Chinese ink and colour painting by Miss Antonia Vann.