March 16th, 2009 Angst of an Artist, Poet from Singapore
What does it feel like when you are approached by strangers? For any reason, for directions or for the time of day, or night. Well, how would that change should you become known for putting your heart and soul and everything out there. Yeah, those not involved in the public arts or entertainment scene seem to find it easy to say, ‘…well, they asked for it, that’s what they get’. It is this writer’s opinion that responses such as those are jealous driven, by people not going after their dreams, much as the familiar phrase by those not trying to ‘make it’ or quite frankly, those not really trying to anything, in Los Angeles. In reference to those making their bills and being responsible by way of waiting tables, meanwhile working double time to follow their dreams. Lee Tzu Pheng is one such celebrity, gaining notice and notoriety by her writings. Because of her inspirational writings, the public approaches her on the street, needing and wanting those words of wisdom and inspiration. Which makes her uncomfortable, I mean really..when you consider how uncomfortable it is for a stranger to ask for directions to Singapore luxury hotels, consider when you are asked directions, for all intents and purposes, to your heart or to the exact center of what you believe and what you hold to be true. It’s a calm on the surface, while feet are frantically duck-paddling underwater.
Pheng offers herself up through various public readings and her dedication to the youth of today. Artists of the now, owe it to the artists of ‘soon’. And Lee’s foundation in collaboration with the Old Rafflesian Assoc. has offered scholarships to those talented who are also in need, and to be honest, in this economy, what artist isn’t in need of support. Well, perhaps Ron Howard or Steven Speilberg, but for those still in the streets, and those that are young with dreams of what could be possible, this is an incredible testament to the dedication of the written word and the lyrical way words express what everyday conversation is incapable of doing. Pheng illustrates what is possible with the written word, in one simple way of her words being set to music by symphony conductors and by having broadcast stints on BBC Radio. There are entire courses of study now in universities around the world, studying just what she has written, she’s become and artistic, a social and a feminine icon, from a country not super well known for their support of free speech and expressionism.
Related posts:
- The Green Scooters of Singapore
- Restaurants in Singapore
- The Islands Surrounding Singapore
- More Cement in Singapore?
- Singapore Restaurant Recipes Travel the World