Clement Yong

3 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Clement Yong

SINGAPORE – At a time when most people understand that the personal is political, individual views have become a battleground of virtue – equality, good; hierarchy, bad. Elitism? The worst possible kind of social evil. Yet, take a step back from this instinctive repulsion and there might be benefits to muddying the waters. Elitism, the belief that an elite group, however defined, should be entitled to the reins of power has been the norm throughout much of history.

3 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Clement Yong |Shawn Hoo

SINGAPORE – Straightforward celebrations can make for boring art. In the year of SG60, the heavy duty fell upon Singapore International Festival of Arts (Sifa) director Natalie Hennedige to programme a three-weekend-long festival that could imbue official patriotism with the necessary complexity. Hennedige, known for her meta-theatrical, highbrow aesthetic, responded with innovation for her fourth festival.

4 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Clement Yong

UPDATED May 31, 2025, 01:15 PM

4 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Clement Yong

UPDATED May 31, 2025, 09:45 AM

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Clement Yong

SINGAPORE – Artist-educator Sim Tong Khern, one of Singapore’s first “street artists” and a core member of early life drawing group Group 90, has died aged 95. His funeral was held at Mandai Crematorium on May 26. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Sim, born in Singapore in 1930, is best known for his large-scale public paintings of streets next to the Singapore River.