Art by Pathlight students to be displayed along Singapore River
(From left) Pathlight School students Marcus Goh, Nurdaanya Mohamed Hafiz, and Brennan Tay with their artwork.
SINGAPORE – A construction hoarding in Kim Seng Linear Park – which runs alongside the Singapore River – will soon be turned into a community art canvas, showcasing 30 works by neurodivergent students from Pathlight School.
The works, inspired by the Singapore River, represent the students' interpretations of the river's history, community and culture. They will be exhibited on the hoarding for three years throughout the construction of the River Green development, a 524-unit riverfront condominium consisting of a single 36-storey tower.
The project is a collaboration between real estate developer Wing Tai Group and Pathlight School.
Measuring 200m long and 4.8m high, the transformed hoarding will be ready by July 17.
The 30 works to be displayed on the hoarding were selected from among 69 entries in an art competition organised by Pathlight School and Wing Tai Group that was open to secondary and vocational track Pathlight students.
The competition was judged by Ms Cecilia Chow, senior manager of programmes at Singapore Art Museum; Dr Joseph Lim, associate professor at NUS School of Architecture; and Mr Edmund Cheng, deputy chairman of Wing Tai Holdings.
An awards ceremony to recognise the students whose works were chosen for the display was held at Pathlight School Ang Mo Kio Campus 1 on July 11.
Ms Stacey Ow Yeong, head of marketing at Wing Tai Property Management, said the developer saw an opportunity to convert the hoarding for its River Green development in Kim Seng Linear Park into an art canvas because it is highly visible, and many people pass by the area.
The current hoarding near the Singapore River where artworks by Pathlight School students will be displayed.
PHOTO: WING TAI GROUP
'This collaboration with Pathlight School shines a light on the unique perspectives and artistic talents of neurodivergent individuals,' she added.
Marcus Goh, 16, created two artworks which placed within the top 10 in the art competition.
His acrylic painting, Flowing Through History, was inspired by the things that he sees around the Singapore River, such as the boats, the buildings and the people passing by.
'I feel very happy and proud,' said the Secondary 1 student, when asked how he feels about having his art displayed.
His second winning artwork, A Spectrum Of Colours, uses colourful buildings to reflect the vibrancy of Singapore's culture, where different ethnicities and communities live together.
An acrylic painting by student Marcus Goh was inspired by the things he sees around the Singapore River, like the boats, the buildings, and the people.
PHOTO: GOH WEI-YU MARCUS
Sec 2 student Nurdaanya Mohamed Hafiz, 14, depicted the teeming quays of the Singapore River in her pen and watercolour work, A Playful Night At The Singapore River.
'As a little history buff myself, I learnt that the Singapore River holds cultural and historical significance to Singapore, especially in our early days,' she said.
Another inspiration for her was seeing youth her age or younger, like her younger brothers, disconnect from their gadgets so they can enjoy outdoor activities.
Student Nurdaanya Mohamed Hafiz's pen and watercolour work. One inspiration for her was seeing young people disconnect from their gadgets so they can enjoy outdoor activities.
PHOTO: NURDAANYA BINTE MOHAMED HAFIZ
'I wanted to bring out that sense of nostalgia to our older and current generations by combining two significant parts of their childhood and Singapore's history into one frame,' the schoolgirl reflected.
Community & Wellness Along Singapore River, an entry by Year 8 vocational student Brennan Tay, 20, which placed within the top 30, captures the joy of wellness and community in a lively green park by the river.
'I visited Kim Seng Park and I saw a group of children running together, and I liked what I saw because I am also in a running club CCA in school,' he said. 'I like to share the joy of wellness and connecting with nature through my artwork.'
Student Brennan Tay's artwork capturing the joy of wellness and community in a lively green park by the river.
PHOTO: TAY HONG YAO BRENNAN
At Pathlight School, art education classes are tailored to the diverse profiles, strengths and learning needs of students.
Ms Nurhilda Anuar, subject head of the art department at Pathlight School, said: 'In my art lessons, I will study each student profile in order to determine the suitable approach for each student. For instance, autism-friendly strategies such as visual supports and simplified work systems may apply for a student who requires explicit structure to understand and execute the art task.'
Senior principal of Pathlight School, Ms Linda Kho, hopes the public will recognise the students' talents and abilities through the artworks, and be more open to embracing neurodivergent people.
'It's not about being different or focusing on their deficit. It's about their talents and their voice, and that there's a place for them to contribute to society,' she said.
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