By Rosemarie John – With a gifted hand and a huge heart, Gelyn Ong is a seven year old whose talent goes beyond words. Full of colour and life, Gelyn’s paintings adorns homes and organizations in Singapore as she donates her work to charity auctions, raising funds for humanitarian causes both on the island and abroad.
Raising close to $100,000 for charity in the past, her first solo exhibition entitled “My Dreams, My Wishes” was held at the Fullerton Heritage, Singapore. Featuring 29 of her latest works, this exhibition aims to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Foundation , a charity which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
“It is my dream and wish that through art, I will be able to help in the very little way that I can, the less fortunate children to fulfill their own dreams and wishes”, said Gelyn. A rare species in today’s world of crass commercialization, Gelyn is modest and almost shy. This wonderful human being was humble, accessible and proud to let her work do the talking.
Mostly depicting wild animals and scenes from nature, it was an extraordinary display of the meditations of the human mind on canvas. The most interesting factor in Gelyn’s work is the embossed nature of her paintings. It’s 3D effect brings more life and vibrancy at each glance.
Dance With Me
Gelyn next to The Red Topiary
Finding joy in the whimsical world of sketches, shapes and colours, this budding artist started venturing into the world of artistic splendour through crayons and colour pencils at the tender age of two. Today, 5 years later, she has mastered various techniques, mediums and materials and now trying to blend Chinese ink painting techniques with acrylic.
Henry Ward Beecher said, “every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures”. Just as you roam around the captivating exhibition, you can’t help but wonder what she will produce through her artistic soul as an adult.
The exhibition is supported by lead sponsor PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Singapore as part of its commitment to Corporate Responsibility and engagement with the arts, as well as venue sponsor The Fullerton Heritage under its Art in the City programme.
Alluring Hues
Two Brothers
Beyond the Yellow Mellow Hills
PwC Singapore also incorporated a “green” element into the project, as the main sponsor of a special initiative with EZ-Link Pte. Ltd by printing 2500 limited edition ez-link cards displaying one of Gelyn’s favourite paintings.
Graced by Minister Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, the exhibition was kicked off with the reveal of Gelyn’s interpretation of Singapore’s iconic structure, the Merlion.
Gelyn’s art exhibition will be on display at the Fullerton Heritage Gallery, The Fullerton Hotel, from October 29 to November 22, 2011.
“My Dreams, My Wishes” Exhibition at the Fullerton Heritage
Gelyn Ong’s inaugural address
Getting there: Alight at Raffles Place MRT Station and proceed to Exit H.
Artwork by Gelyn Ong | Text & Photography by Rosemarie John © All Rights Reserved
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*Disclaimer: We thank Juliana Tan from URA for inviting Travel and Beyond to be part of this lovely event and to PwC and The Fullerton Heritage for hosting us. However, as always all opinions expressed are exclusively that of the author.
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Wow! That’s real talent right there! This girl is truly an artist in the making! And with such a big heart, she’ll definitely go places. I hope she continues to pursue her dreams and share it with the rest of the world.
I am still dumb-founded on Gelyn’s amazing gift and humble heart! This was the first art exhibition that was truly worth going to for both talent and for its cause.
What a talented girl! And using it for charitable purposes, how inspiring! Great article. I am going to repost this everywhere I can.
Thanks for the shares Nathan! Gelyn was such a lovely little girl. Its amazing to see that she has pledged every single cent of her sales proceeds to charity… you don’t find such generosity easily these days.