Male bonding in Singapore
What do men do when they get together? Throw some axes, destroy furniture, climb walls or join a choir?
MALE bonding used to be simple affairs, like a round of beer or game of football. But as life gets more complicated, so do the ways in which men forge friendships and build support networks while navigating a society where the rules of masculinity are being challenged or even upended.
As men find themselves under immense pressure to succeed professionally and personally in Singapore's hustle culture, their emotional well-being is stretched to the limit, say wellness counsellors. In this week's BT Lifestyle, we look at how men are turning to non-traditional approaches to let off steam, express themselves and connect with others.
Meanwhile, in Design, take a look at the transformation of a narrow, old shophouse in Joo Chiat into a spacious, multi-generation home. And in the Arts, we visit a stunning new exhibition featuring the works of much loved artist Chua Mia Tee and his wife, Lee Boon Ngan, whom few know was a pioneering female artist in her own right.
Finally in Dining, we get a taste of modern Indian food at the new restaurant Meh'r by Inderpal, helmed by former Masterchef winner Inderpal Singh.
For all this and more, don't miss this week's BT Lifestyle.
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Business Times
13 hours ago
- Business Times
The man who painted Lee Kuan Yew – and the wife whom history forgot
[SINGAPORE] Most art lovers recognise the name Chua Mia Tee. The realist painter is beloved for his portraits of founding fathers and working-class heroes – archetypes of the nation-building generation rendered in oil on canvas. Chua's work has come to define an era of Singapore's visual identity, with scenes of Lee Kuan Yew on the campaign trail, Singapore presidents surrounded by the Cabinet of the day, and young idealists reading poetry as progress unfolds around them. But few people know that, for much of his career, Chua – who was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 2015 – worked just a few metres away from another painter: his wife, Lee Boon Ngan (1939-2017). She was a talented artist in her own right, a realist who brought delicate floral compositions to life on canvas. Yet, she remained largely unrecognised – overshadowed by her husband's fame, and held back by the demands of domestic life. While Chua painted full-time, she raised their children, cooked their meals and managed the household. Only after the chores were done would she pick up her brushes. Chua Mia Tee's Singapore Presidents And Their Cabinets (I-V) (1996) is a stunning 3.8 m-long painting depicting the five presidents from Yusof Ishak to Ong Teng Cheong, with the respective Cabinets of the day. PHOTO: PRESIDENT'S OFFICE, ISTANA The couple's daughter, Dr Chua Yang, an obstetrician and gynaecologist behind a new exhibition to honour both her parents, says: 'She considered herself a wife and mother first, and an artist when she had time.' The exhibition, The Art of Lee Boon Ngan: Celebrating 60 Years Of Singapore Through The Love Of Chua Mia Tee & Lee Boon Ngan, opens on Jul 10 at The Private Museum in Upper Wilkie Road. Presented as part of the museum's 15th anniversary and SG60 celebrations, the show brings together nearly 50 artworks. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up They comprise 15 floral paintings by Lee – some never before seen publicly – alongside a selection of Chua's better-known works, as well as contributions from the next generation of the family. Lee Boon Ngan's vivid floral paintings showcase her impressive precision and technique. PHOTO: CHUA MIA TEE & THE CHUA FAMILY The show includes two paintings by Lee's granddaughter, London-based artist Ernestine Chua, and three artistic photographs by Dr Chua, including one of her father on the day he completed his final painting in 2021, just before he suffered a stroke. Painting beside the nation's painter Dr Chua says: 'Mother was never as prolific as Father. But she painted throughout her life. She would wait for the right light, position her flowers near the window, and choose the most complicated bouquets – with the tiniest petals and most intricate leaves. It was a challenge she relished.' Lee Boon Ngan and Chua Mia Tee, a lasting union and legacy. PHOTO: CHUA MIA TEE & THE CHUA FAMILY In their shared home studio, husband and wife worked mostly in silence. 'There was no chatter. They didn't comment on each other's work until the very end. When a piece was nearly done, it would be brought into the family gallery at home and placed under a spotlight for critique. That's when everyone – including us kids – would weigh in.' (Dr Chua has a brother who is a retired dean of a tertiary institution in Hong Kong.) Despite his deft executions of landscapes, people and animals, Chua Mia Tee never painted flowers. 'That was Mother's territory,' Dr Chua recalls. 'He always said: 'Your mother is far better at that'.' Artist Chua Mia Tee putting the finishing touches to a self-portrait, in which he poses with the iconic 1957 painting of his wife, Lee Boon Ngan, as a young girl. PHOTO: DR CHUA YANG And yet, history remembers him and forgets her. Part of that, Dr Chua believes, was structural. Her father received government commissions and exhibited widely. His work was aligned with national narratives and institutional platforms. Her mother, on the other hand, painted privately, for herself and her family, without ambition for public acclaim. Part of it was also choice. 'Mother never sought recognition,' Dr Chua says. 'When collectors came for Father's works and chose hers instead, she was quietly amused… She was content with her life.' A 1980 portrait of Lee Boon Ngan by Chua Mia Tee, simply titled My Wife, depicts her at work, surrounded by her floral paintings. PHOTO: CHUA MIA TEE & THE CHUA FAMILY That didn't mean her daughter wasn't frustrated. 'For years after her death, I was indignant,' she admits. 'She was always in the shadow. I felt she deserved so much more. But I've come to realise that these were my expectations, not hers. She was proud of every meal she cooked for us. She was happy.' In recent years, Dr Chua has taken on the responsibility of preserving both her parents' legacies. In 2024, she launched her second book, Women Inspiring Women: The National Edition, at The Private Museum. As conversations turned toward her parents' art, the idea for an exhibition took root. Chua Mia Tee often included Lee Boon Ngan in his paintings, such as this work titled Stone Boat Of Summer Palace, Beijing (1985). PHOTO: CHUA MIA TEE & THE CHUA FAMILY A story told in two styles The result is a contemplative and moving exhibition that places Chua's grand portraits of statesmen and civic scenes alongside Lee's luminous florals. Each speaks to a different kind of devotion – one directed outward to nation-building, the other, inward toward the beauty of everyday life. 'In many ways, she was painting her self-portrait,' Dr Chua says. 'The brilliance of the flowers symbolised the vibrancy of her spirit. When Father painted her, he was capturing her beauty. When she painted flowers, she was capturing herself.' Lee Boon Ngan's tender paintings of flowers celebrate the overlooked and the everyday – in contrast to her husband's paintings of nation-building efforts. PHOTO: CHUA MIA TEE & THE CHUA FAMILY The exhibition also includes family portraits of children and grandchildren, and intimate glimpses into the couple's home and studio. Many works were drawn from the family estate, and others, on loan from institutions such as the Istana and the National Heritage Board. Though many visitors may come for Chua's portraits of Singapore leaders, they may leave with a deeper appreciation for the domestic, the feminine, and the quieter forms of artistic expression. In a society that often prioritises progress over presence, public achievement over personal duties, Lee's work asks the viewer to rethink these binaries. Nation and home, public and private, leaders and lovers, husbands and wives – they're all part of the same story. Dr Chua Yang, with a portrait of her parents painted by her father, Chua Mia Tee. PHOTO: CHUA MIA TEE & THE CHUA FAMILY The Art Of Lee Boon Ngan: Celebrating 60 Years Of Singapore Through The Love Of Chua Mia Tee & Lee Boon Ngan runs at The Private Museum (11, Upper Wilkie Road), from Jul 10 to Sep 21.
Business Times
15 hours ago
- Business Times
Male bonding in Singapore
What do men do when they get together? Throw some axes, destroy furniture, climb walls or join a choir? MALE bonding used to be simple affairs, like a round of beer or game of football. But as life gets more complicated, so do the ways in which men forge friendships and build support networks while navigating a society where the rules of masculinity are being challenged or even upended. As men find themselves under immense pressure to succeed professionally and personally in Singapore's hustle culture, their emotional well-being is stretched to the limit, say wellness counsellors. In this week's BT Lifestyle, we look at how men are turning to non-traditional approaches to let off steam, express themselves and connect with others. Meanwhile, in Design, take a look at the transformation of a narrow, old shophouse in Joo Chiat into a spacious, multi-generation home. And in the Arts, we visit a stunning new exhibition featuring the works of much loved artist Chua Mia Tee and his wife, Lee Boon Ngan, whom few know was a pioneering female artist in her own right. Finally in Dining, we get a taste of modern Indian food at the new restaurant Meh'r by Inderpal, helmed by former Masterchef winner Inderpal Singh. For all this and more, don't miss this week's BT Lifestyle.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Return to Middle-earth with a musical spin on The Lord Of The Rings
The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale is told from the perspective of hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin as they set out on an adventure to destroy a powerful magical ring. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD Return to Middle-earth with a musical spin on The Lord Of The Rings MELBOURNE – More than 20 years have passed since director Peter Jackson took moviegoers to Middle-earth with his Oscar-winning The Lord Of The Rings trilogy (2001 to 2003). The road goes on in August with the Asia debut of The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands. The theatrical production is based on English author J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved epic fantasy series (1954 to 1955), instead of Jackson's action-packed films. Told from the perspective of hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, the story follows the four friends' adventures as they seek to destroy a powerful magical ring. The three-hour show features original music by Indian music and film icon A.R. Rahman, Finnish folk band Varttina and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale. The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale made its debut at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Canada, in 2006. It then travelled to Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London in 2007, where it played until 2008, earning five nominations at that year's Laurence Olivier Awards. The production was revived in 2023 at The Watermill Theatre in Britain, followed by a staging at Chicago's Shakespeare Theatre in 2024 before making its way to New Zealand and Australia. The Straits Times met the principal cast members playing Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, as well as characters Gandalf, Gollum and Galadriel, at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne, who offer reasons their show is a must-watch. 1. Actors are also orchestra members Unlike musicals, where actors sing to tunes performed by musicians in an orchestra pit, all 32 cast members in The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale play an instrument onstage. More than 20 instruments are used in the show. Merry (Jeremi Campese) and Pippin (Hannah Buckley) play the cello and violin respectively. Elves Elrond (Andrew Broadbent) and Legolas (Conor Neylon) are on the trombone and accordion, while dwarf Gimli (Connor Morel) plays the bouzouki, a long-necked string instrument. Actress Stefanie Caccamo, who plays elf Arwen, learnt to play the harp for the production. Wern Mak, as Sam, will play percussion when he does not have an acting scene. Cast members in The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale double as musicians, playing the songs live on stage. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD It is no easy feat: The actors need to memorise not only their lines, but also the music score – all within the five-week rehearsal period. Says Buckley: 'I was very nervous in the beginning to play the violin and sing at the same time. I was badly out of tune during practice .' The 30-year-old adds that being a violin teacher helped, as she learnt how to play and speak to her students at the same time. Yet, the challenge remains, especially when some parts required her to play the melody on the violin while singing the harmony simultaneously. 'I tried to do that in the Sydney shows, but I was deeply out of tune,' she says, adding that she has since improved. Campese, 27, says: 'When you sing, you can't really hear what you're playing.' The actor-musician admits there is added pressure, as playing out of tune may affect the ensemble's singing. 'There are moments where I won't do the full dance choreography because it's more important to play in tune,' he says. Buckley adds: 'Jeremi and I have a lot of scenes. The priority is always storytelling, whether through acting, playing an instrument or dancing.' Terence Crawford, who plays the wizard Gandalf, says: 'There are some shows where they have people play the guitar or jump on a piano and sing a song. But this is such a sophisticated arrangement that requires real musicianship. 'We have people in the cast who are principally musicians. We have a drummer who has a doctorate in percussion.' 2. From books to stage Condensing three books – The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers and The Return Of The King – into three hours is an ambitious undertaking. Fans of Jackson's films may be disappointed that some major moments in The Two Towers, such as the battle at Helm's Deep, are not in the musical. 'We are telling a story from the hobbits' perspective, so a lot of the extraneous details and things that weren't witnessed by the hobbits are omitted,' says Mak, 26. Rarmian Newton, who plays Frodo, says that while the films 'had lots of cool, incredible action sequences', their show does not set out to replicate the movies, but to emphasise the universal themes of hope and community. Frodo (Rarmian Newton) has to destroy the powerful One Ring. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD It is also not necessary to have read the books or watched the films to enjoy the musical, says Jemma Rix, who plays elf noble Galadriel. 'We have had so many people who have come not knowing anything, telling us they understood the story and could relate to it,' says Rix, who is in her 30s. Crawford, who is in his 60s, adds: ' The problem of adapting a famous book is you will have different camps of people who will either like the adaptation or hate it. Don't worry if you know the story or not. We'll tell you a crazy story that is poignant, spectacular, beautiful and full of fantastic music.' 3. Born to be Gollum To be cast as Gollum was a dream come true for Laurence Boxhall, who professed to be a 'Tolkien nerd'. The actor, who is in his late 20s, used to pretend to be Gollum – a monster with a distinctive style of speech – while growing up, having read the books and watched the films. His preparation for the role involved studying Tolkien's books even more closely and taking notes on how Gollum speaks in them. He says: 'I also listened to how Tolkien himself performed Gollum's voice – which I think Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the films, had also done.' Laurence Boxhall as Gollum in The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD Boxhall adds that he is aware audiences may expect a performance similar to the English actor's. Describing his approach as 'a third of Serkis, a third of Tolkien and a third of my own thing', Boxhall says he needs to find a 'comfortable and sustainable vocal placement that wouldn't tire my voice'. Physically, he prepares by getting his body used to moving as a quadruped, as performing eight shows a week on all fours is 'taxing on the muscles'. He stretches and exercises with resistance bands while getting his body painted. Transforming into Gollum takes about 45 minutes, with some parts completed before the show and the rest finished during the interva l. 4. Be early for Bilbo's 111th birthday party Audiences are encouraged to take their seats as early as possible. There is an interactive pre-show segment where they are transported to the Shire, home of the hobbits, as partygoers at hobbit Bilbo Baggins' 111th birthday celebration. Bilbo is Frodo's uncle and the hobbit who found the One Ring. His story is told in Tolkien's other book The Hobbit (1937), a prequel to The Lord Of The Rings. The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale starts with the celebration of Bilbo Baggins' birthday. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD The cast members , as hobbits, will mingle with the audience , playing games such as ring toss with them and posing for photos. Says Mak: 'The birthday party scene brings everyone together as a family. It also acts as a gathering point for the characters and the audience, emphasising the sense of community and shared storytelling that runs throughout the show.' 5. A tale of hope and resilience Tolkien's relatable characters are the reasons his stories have remained popular for over 70 years. 'There's this sense of hope where the story tells of overcoming animosity, like Legolas and Gimli, two characters who initially hated each other, yet became best friends,' says Newton. The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale starring (from left) Rarmian Newton as Frodo, Wern Mak as Sam and Terence Crawford as Gandalf. PHOTO: DANIEL BOUD Crawford agrees, saying the show emphasises the power of people coming together, respect, kindness and a sense of community – both onstage and with the audience. 'What I love is that Frodo is an unlikely person to conquer such a big thing,' says Rix, adding that the story inspires audiences to believe that even small people can do amazing things by facing their fears and challenges. Says Boxhall: 'Frodo is changed at the end of his hero's journey, but it doesn't mean he's failed. 'In the crazy world we live in today, it's okay to not be okay, as long as there is hope.' Book It/ The Lord Of The Rings – A Musical Tale Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue When: Aug 12 to 31, 8pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 2pm (Saturdays), 1 and 6.30pm (Sundays) Admission: $68 to $238 via Marina Bay Sands ( Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to and Klook ( Joanne Soh is a lifestyle correspondent at The Straits Times, with a special interest in entertainment and pop culture. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
