Ong Sor Fern
Art lovers are looking forward to the National Gallery’s opening in November as the National Collection, comprising some 8,000 works, will finally come back into the public’s eye.
But some of the Gallery’s most prized pieces are already starring in an online video series titled My Masterpiece. The series will feature 12 works, each accompanied by an eclectic bunch of personalities speaking about their impressions of the works.
Painter Georgette Chen is in the spotlight this year. There was a three-part television biopic starring actress Rui En as the unconventional painter and she will be among the cast of characters highlighted in Nanyang, The Musical, an upcoming production at the Singapore International Festival Of Arts. This 1946 Self Portrait was displayed briefly at the National Gallery’s recent Naked Museum night, and is an alluringly enigmatic work. It was painted just after the war and a few years after the death of her husband Eugene Chen.
Source: The Straits Times
Categorised in EN, National Gallery Singapore, The Straits Times, The Worlds Of Georgette Chen.
Last year we shared news on one of our efforts to promote the appreciation and understanding of Singapore’s art development through the commission of a three-part docudrama titled, The Worlds of Georgette Chen.
On 24 April 2015, we welcomed the cast at the Gallery for a press conference on the launch of the docudrama, where attending guests were given a first look at original artwork of Georgette Chen’s Self-Portrait. The premier telecast of the docudrama was officially aired on 29 April 2015, Channel NewsAsia.
Starring MediaCorp’s award-winning actress, Rui En, as Georgette, viewers were invited to immerse themselves into the whirlwind life of Georgette Chen, starting from life in France (1927 to 1933) during the Second World War, along to her journey in Japanese-occupied China and Hong Kong (1934 to 1948), and finally in Penang and Singapore (1950 to 1980), where she made her home.
Artworks by Georgette Chen will be on display in the DBS Singapore Gallery when National Gallery Singapore opens in 2015.
Check out these exclusive behind-the-scenes sneaks of Rui En, the cast and crew in action. How well do you think Rui En embodied the role of Georgette Chen? How well do you think Rui En embodied the role of Georgette Chen? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook.
Rui En and Ralph Lee, who plays Eugene Chen, film a scene along the River Seine. Living in Paris, the River Seine was one of Georgette Chen’s many artistic inspirations. Little did she know that a painting of this river would eventually connect her with her leit motif of love, Eugene.
Rui En and Ralph watch a playback of a scene of Georgette and Eugene Chen’s wedding. Georgette married Eugene Chen on 14 July 1930 in Paris.
Rui En filming on location at Musée d’Orsay, Paris.
Source: National Gallery Singapore
Categorised in EN, National Gallery Singapore, The Worlds Of Georgette Chen.
Airing Details
“The Worlds of Georgette Chen” is now airing on Channel NewsAsia on the following dates and time slots:
Episode 1 – 29 April 2015, 8pm, CNA
Episode 2 – 06 May 2015, 8pm, CNA
Episode 3 – 13 May 2015, 8pm, CNA
Videos: Related Trailers & Interviews
Synopsis
The Worlds of Georgette Chen, a three-part docÂuÂdrama will premier on 29 April 2015 on ChanÂnel NewsÂAsia. It spans across three periÂods, giving viewers an insight of the draÂmatic worlds of GeorÂgette Chen. These periods include the French period from 1927 to 1933 where she received her early art education; the Chinese/Hong Kong period from 1934 to 1948; and the Penang/Singapore period from 1950 to 1980.
Being inspired by her surÂroundÂings, GeorÂgette proÂduced porÂtraits and still lifes from each phase. She perÂfecÂted her techÂnique and taught at the NanÂyang Academy of Fine Arts.
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Tonight on CNA! Rui En as SG pioneer artist, Georgette Chen, in the debut of "The Worlds of Georgette Chen" at 8pm, on Channel NewsAsia! (All photo credits to Channelnewsasia.)
Posted by Rui En on Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Remember to catch the 1st episode of "The Worlds of Georgette Chen"!! Tonight on Channel News Asia 8pm.
Posted by Hype Records on Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Rui En in cheongsam!! Catch her in "The Worlds of Georgette Chen" on Channel News Asia starting 29th April Wednesday 8pm.
Posted by Hype Records on Friday, 24 April 2015
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Categorised in Channel 8, Channel 8 News, channelnewsasia.com, Hype Records, L’Oréal Paris, National Gallery Singapore, The Straits Times, The Worlds Of Georgette Chen, Toggle SG, Zaobao.
As part of our efforts to proÂmote appreÂciÂation and underÂstandÂing of Singapore’s art develÂopÂment, the GalÂlery has comÂmisÂsioned a three-part docÂuÂdrama on GeorÂgette Chen (1906 — 1993), one of Singapore’s most loved artists.
The Worlds of GeorÂgette Chen will feaÂture MediaCorp’s top actÂress, Rui En, as the iconic artist. The premiere teleÂcast will air on 29 April 2015 on ChanÂnel NewsÂAsia and MediÂaCÂorp ChanÂnel 5. GeorÂgette Chen received her art eduÂcaÂtion in Paris, New York and ShangÂhai, before findÂing her home in SingaÂpore. Regarded for her colossal conÂtriÂbuÂtions to the burÂgeonÂing NanÂyang school of paintÂing and to Singapore’s art moveÂment for over four decÂades, GeorÂgette Chen was awarÂded the CulÂtural MedalÂlion in 1982.
GivÂing viewÂers an insight into the draÂmatic worlds of GeorÂgette Chen, the docudrama’s storyline spans across three periÂods, includÂing the tumulÂtuÂous years of the Second World War: the French period from 1927 to 1933; the Chinese/Hong Kong period from 1934 to 1948; and the Penang/Singapore period from 1950 to 1980.
Immensely inspired by her surÂroundÂings, GeorÂgette proÂduced still lifes, porÂtraits and landÂscapes from each phase. Her porÂtraits of her first husÂband and more importÂantly, of herÂself, are paintÂerly winÂdows to her cineÂmatic life.
ArtÂworks by GeorÂgette Chen will be on disÂplay in the DBS SingaÂpore GalÂlery when the GalÂlery opens in 2015.
EpisÂode 1: Love in Autumn
GeorÂgette Chen received her early art eduÂcaÂtion mainly in Paris. She was immensely inspired by Paris, a city she loved and where she had her first rare breakÂthrough as an Asian female artist. It was also in Paris that she marÂried a man who became her leit motif of love. Her porÂtraits of her first husÂband, and more importÂantly, of herÂself, are paintÂerly winÂdows to her cineÂmatic life.
EpisÂode 2 Dark PasÂsage in Winter
After her marÂriage to promÂinÂent Chinese politiÂcian Eugene Chen, GeorÂgette jourÂneyed through the dark pasÂsage of winter in her life. PolitÂics and war decided her fate. Yet, she held on to her sinÂguÂlar pasÂsion – paintÂing. She conÂtinÂued to proÂduce an impressÂive oeuvre of still lifes, porÂtraits and landÂscapes durÂing the most tumulÂtuÂous and nomadic years of her life.
EpisÂode 3: DeathÂless Days in Summer
By age 48, GeorÂgette Chen had surÂvived two world wars, suffered under the JapanÂese occuÂpaÂtion of China, mourned her first husÂband and divorced her second. Now alone and disÂplaced, she sought refuge in SingaÂpore. In this land of perÂpetual sumÂmer, which she called her “Tahitiâ€, the proÂlific artist perÂfecÂted her techÂnique and taught at the NanÂyang Academy of Fine Arts.
The Worlds of Georgette Chen debuts 29 April 2015 on CNA, 8pm.
Source:National Gallery
Categorised in EN, National Gallery Singapore, The Worlds Of Georgette Chen.
The Worlds of Georgette Chen, the first-ever docudrama on Singapore’s pioneer artist, was announced by National Gallery Singapore on 19 June 2014 at a press conference held at the Fullerton Hotel and attended by actress, Rui En, who will be playing the role of Georgette Chen.
Local and international media were introduced to Singapore’s First Lady of Art; her intriguing life story, her contributions to Singapore’s art history and her artworks which will be on display when the Gallery opens. Following release of the news, fans of Rui En buzzed with excitement upon hearing their favourite actress taking on this unique character with historical significance.
Commissioned by the Gallery and produced by Channel NewsAsia, the three-part docudrama will be shot on location in Europe, China and Southeast Asia. Premiering in April 2015, the docudrama will cover three periods of Georgette’s life: the French period from 1927 to 1933; the Chinese/Hong Kong period from 1934 to 1948; and the Penang/Singapore period from 1950 to 1980, and is set to give the dramatic worlds of Georgette Chen, one of Singapore’s most loved artists, a contemporary relevance.
“Given the important position Georgette Chen occupies on Singapore’s art history, which is a key focus of the National Gallery, the enactments in the form of drama will allow us to further the appreciation and understanding of Singapore’s art historical development among a new generation,” says CEO of National Gallery Singapore, Ms Chong Siak Ching.
Sharing her thoughts on this exceptional opportunity, Rui En said, “The more I read about her, the more I realise how important the role is. In her day, it was rare for women to paint professionally. She was a pioneer on many fronts and her quiet strength and love for life will certainly inspire women today.”
Mr Shabbir Hussain Mustafa, Curator, National Gallery Singapore; Ms Chong Siak Ching, CEO, National Gallery Singapore; Ms Debra Soon, Managing Director, Channel NewsAsia; Rui En, Actress; and Mr Woon Tai Ho, Director (Media & Marketing), National Gallery Singapore, share information about ‘The Worlds of Georgette Chen’ with media.
Embracing her role as Georgette Chen, Rui En strikes a pose for photographers.
Source: National Gallery
The Worlds of Georgette Chen debuts 29 April 2015 on CNA and Ch 5.
Categorised in EN, National Gallery Singapore, The Worlds Of Georgette Chen.
