Page 21 - NYAA & GAHA Responding to COVID-19

The Annual Lunar New Year Gala Concert

The Annual Lunar New Year Gala Concert “Spring
on Earth”, organised by Huaxin Cultural Hub on
16 January 2021, was graced by Mr Edwin Tong,
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and
attended by H. E. Hong Xiaoyong, Ambassador of
the People’s Republic of China at the Singapore
Conference Hall.

The organisers recognised NYAA’s contributions to
promoting the Chinese Arts and uniquely Singapore
values to the young people and the Chinese culture
to a larger community in Singapore. NYAA received
a Certificate of Appreciation from Minister Edwin
Tong at the event.

Showcasing The Vibrant Public Housing Estate Through Photography

Mr Darren Soh is an architectural and landscape
photographer and an NYAA Gold Award holder
(1998 Cohort) who highlighted the vibrant and
colourful public housing estate through the lens and
his photos.

Mr Soh’s images highlighted the many firsts in
public housing in Singapore and the MacPherson
estate. His images caught the attention of Ms Tin Pei
Ling, Member of Parliament for MacPherson Single
Member Constituency. Mr Soh agreed to organise
workshops for Macpherson Estate residents on
photography and how to use images to raise the
profile of her HDB estate at a meeting with Ms Tin
on 22 January 2021. Mr Darren Soh
NYAA Gold Award holder (1998 Cohort)

Buildings from Singapore’s Early Post-Independence Year

Mr Darren Soh is a sociologist by training and an
architectural and landscape photographer, and
NYAA Gold Award Holder (1998 Cohort). Mr Soh
was convinced that by the time most Singaporeans
had grown up, many of the places they were familiar
with as children would have been obliterated in
the name of redevelopment. He has researched
the significance of the architectural landmarks in
Singapore that have disappeared in the name of
redevelopment.

As a result, Mr Soh initiated a series of workshops
to educate young Singaporeans on the importance
of heritage and appreciate some of the buildings in
Singapore before they are gone.

Darren said that taking photographs is key to
preserving the memories of these places.

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