For The Sunday Times
July 13, 2008
"A painting” that is actually a series of three photos of animal organs has been named the UOB Painting of the Year.
It raised some eyebrows, in more ways than one. Entitled Anatomical Fantasies Of
Meat, the work by 25-year-old undergraduate Joel Yuen beat 1,200 other entries to clinch the prestigious award, now into its 27th year.
One of the photos includes a pig’s tongue, heart and stomach turned inside-out, as well as a chicken’s spinal bones tied together and suspended with nylon strings.
Mr Yuen, who is from Nanyang Technological University’s School of Art, Design and Media, yesterday received $30,000 in cash prizes.
Some contestants, who asked not to be named, found it strange that his entry had won.
Firstly, it was not a painting but a work of photography.
Secondly, his subjectmatter was reminiscent of British shock artist Damien Hirst, whose 1995 work featuring a rotting cow and bull was banned by New York City public health officials. They had feared the stench of the carcasses would cause visitors to vomit.
UOB could not be reached for comment on this issue.
But Mr Choo Thiam Siew, chief judge and president of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, said the panel’s five judges unanimously agreed that Mr Yuen’s work was not vulgar at all.
“Even though it’s a photo, it looks a lot like a still-life painting. And it had a
powerful message, showing how humans are indiscriminately slaughtering,” he added.
Mr Yuen himself was surprised to learn that he had won the award.
“As for Damien Hirst, I’m not really a fan, and I noticed the similarities only after I started working on my piece,” he said.
This is the first time an entry from the photographic category has won the Painting of the Year award, after the category was introduced in 2003.
Also, the cash prize this year for the award was increased from $20,000 last
year.
All winning entries, including Mr Yuen’s work, will be on display at the Esplanade Recital Studio until Aug 2.
