UOB Painting of the Year winner Khairulddin bin Abdul Wahab’s mural in Yishun aims to inspire the community and to provide a creative environment for children
More than 35 United Overseas Bank (UOB) employees have joined artist and UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Singapore winner Mr Khairulddin Bin Abdul Wahab to bring art to the white walls of a void deck1 in Yishun. Over two days2 , UOB employees and Mr Khairulddin painted a mural of a whimsical magical forest to inspire and to bring joy particularly to more than 35 children from the community.
These children, aged from four to 12, receive free weekly tuition and participate in a reading initiative as part of the Singapore Red Cross Young Hearts Programme at the void deck. To make the tuition and reading experience more comfortable and fun, UOB also donated various items such as tables, stools, a book cart, play mats, comic books, removable chalkboard stickers and 35 personalised individual white board sets.
Mr Khairulddin said the imaginary forest theme took a few weeks to conceptualise. “The magical forest corner is a kaleidoscope of lush greenery and delicate flora to create a vibrant environment in which the children can learn and play. The theme combines the beauty of nature with a playful style of illustration to evoke cheer and to encourage the children’s creativity and imagination,” Mr Khairulddin said.
One of the volunteers, Mr Daniel Ng, Head of Group Audit, UOB, said the community-based activity is part of the Bank’s ongoing efforts to encourage the appreciation of art and education in the community and to develop young minds by providing them with an imaginative learning space.
“At UOB, we believe that art connects people and strengthens societal bonds. Through the brighter community art space created by UOB employee volunteers, we hope to create a conducive learning space for the children and to promote a greater sense of belonging within the community. This initiative also enables us to support the Singapore Red Cross’ Young Hearts programme which helps children in their learning journey,” Mr Ng said.
Mr Louis Ng, Member of Parliament (MP) for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency, said, “The art murals have made the areas of the void decks brighter and more refreshing, adding vibrancy of colours to the neighbourhood. These artworks are not only for our residents of Block 269A Yishun to enjoy, but for residents in the surrounding blocks to benefit from as well, and in turn help build social and community bonds. Today, memories of children and residents enjoying their newly spruced community art space and fulfilled wish-list items granted by volunteers from UOB will stay with them for a long time.”
1 The mural can be found at the void deck of Block 269A Yishun Street 22.
2 The mural painting sessions took place on 24 and 27 May 2019.
