Singaporean artists and art connoisseurs congregated at the Katong Community Centre on July 20 to celebrate the 2024 edition of Art Unites. Art Unites is a 30-member art club solely filled with dedicated elders who are passionate about art. The day-long annual event was filled with multiple activities, including art exhibitions featuring works of established and budding artists. About 1,000 people attended the event.
The exhibition by prominent artists featured about 50 artworks on the theme ‘Peaceful Red Dot’, while budding artists showcased their creation based on the theme ‘Racial Harmony in Singapore’.
The Art Unites Club Feature exhibition showed how retired seniors have transformed into wonderful artists and have grown their passion for handicrafts. It also featured their art pieces.
Artists from the Women Artists Association-Singapore displayed their multi-racial costumes creation. A sit and draw competition kept participants between 5 and 15 years of age busy. The participants create artworks that reflect the concept of racial harmony.
Multiple art workshops were also conducted for free.
Manisha Sarkar, Organising Chairman and Secretary, Mountbatten Active Ageing Committee, told Connected to India that the purpose of the workshops was to make participants aware of the beauty of creation and raise interest in getting engaged in art activities for active ageing.
The event also included performance arts, including songs and dance, which, according to the organisers, not only added to the variety but also enhanced and celebrated racial and religious harmony.
When asked about the event, Manisha told CtoI: “Art Unites was conceptualised and operationalised by myself after nearly 20 years of grassroots organising in Singapore. This event is by the Mountbatten Active Ageing Committee and last year it was a Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY) listed event.”
“I have been leading various art and craft related events, workshops, field trips and more for over a decade, as a form of art therapy for senior citizens to keep them active and engaged, and to channel their perspectives of the world and their lives in Singapore through all forms of art.
“As this artistic community grew, I wanted to organise an event that celebrated the racial and cultural harmony of Singapore and our community through art,” she added.
