SINGAPORE, April 14, 2004 -- Very Special Arts Singapore (VSA) and FedEx Express (FedEx) have joined forces to deliver two artworks for hearing-impaired artist, Mr. Neo Peng Hong, for exhibit at the 2004 International Very Special Arts Festival. Mr. Neo is the first Singaporean artist selected to participate in the Festival, and is also one of the few Asian artists who have been given the opportunity to showcase their works to the international audience.
The International Very Special Arts Festival, to held in Washington DC, USA from June 9-12, is a prestigious and high profile exhibition organized once in every five years. The Festival showcases cutting-edge visual and performing arts from around the world. It also features creative workshops, cultural exchanges and seminars on innovations in art education. President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush are the Honorary Chairs of the Festival.
Artists from around the world were invited to submit entries, which were evaluated by a panel of professionals in the art world. A total of 723 pieces of artwork were judged including paintings, sculptures, photography, drawing, fiber, glass, pottery, mixed media, computer-generated art, ceramics, dance, music, theater, and the literary arts. Categories were further divided into children (under 11), youth (11-21), and adult (21+). 210 visual, performing, media and literary artists were then selected to participate in the Festival.
Mr. Neo had submitted five art pieces, comprising of two paintings and three pieces of jewelry, for the panel's review. His two paintings, 'Singapore River', a unique pencil sketch depicting the bustling sight of the old Singapore River and 'Baskets Galore', a beautiful oil-based watercolor painting portraying the vibrancy of Arab Street, will be displayed among the works selected for the Festival.
FedEx, the world's largest express transportation company, is providing shipment of the artworks, and will be the official air express carrier for the project, transporting the works via the FedEx International Priority Freight service, which offers time-definite delivery for bulky items. FedEx Trade Networks will work with VSA to ensure the completion of proper documentation to help minimize customs delays and transit times and to ensure clearance at the point of destination. As with all FedEx Express shipments, Mr. Neo and VSA staff can track the shipment via the FedEx website (www.fedex.com).
[quote from VSA / Mr Neo]
"FedEx is honored to be the carrier that brings Mr. Neo's paintings to the USA, allowing a global audience to experience the talent of Singaporean artists," said Mr. Ramesh Kumar Singam, Managing Director FedEx Singapore and Indonesia. "The commitment of FedEx to bring these beautiful paintings to the USA highlights our support for the communities in which we do business, as well as our support of local arts. It also allows Mr Neo to benefit from the leading express transportation service to the USA."
About FedEx
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