When I Was Young

ESTHER NG, estherng@mediacorp.com.sg

Some inmates paint to forget, others to learn.
Ooi Boon Keong

AH FEI'S favourite colour is blue - the 42-year-old inmate suffers from depression and paints to forget.

But these days, he has lightened up somewhat - not only is Ah Fei using brighter colours, he has been accepted into a fine art foundation studies programme offered by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and LASALLE College of the Arts. "Art helps me express myself. I finally found my direction," he said.

While there are other vocationally certified courses available in prison, this is the first certificate-based art programme. "We want them to begin preparing for life after their release. This programme trains them for further education in art or a job in the creative industry," said SPS' Head Programme, Ms Phang Seok Sieng.

The programme took nine months to finalise and is the brainchild of Ms Jane Ittogi, chair of Singapore Art Museum Board. "Working with artist Chen Kezhan who had been a very early volunteer in prisons, (we) understood how inmates could gain from formal art training," said Ms Ittogi.

Spread over five weeks at SPS' Visual Arts Training Centre, the 45-hour programme covers concepts and techniques in fine art. Selected inmates are required to submit two projects by the end of the course: A visual journal chronicling their thoughts and artistic expression over 10 days, and a painting.

These can also double up as their portfolio which can be used when they apply for art diploma courses elsewhere.

To qualify, inmates need to complete SPS' two-month basic art rehabilitation programme. They are also assessed on their conduct, commitment and creative talent. So far, only 10 out of 80 have been selected.

Kenzo, 37, likes modern artists Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. "I've always loved art as a child. This is my first time working with acrylic, but it has taught me patience and discipline," he said.

Kenzo, who is serving seven years for drug-related offences, will be released in December. "I want to be a designer," he said.

Like Ah Fei, he intends to further his studies in art at LASALLE. Both men will also be exhibiting their works at an exhibition organised by Yellow Ribbon Project later this year.

From TODAY, News – Thursday, 14-May-2009