A PICTURE OF VIBRANCY

It started off simply enough for renowned watercolour artist Ong Kim Seng.

Former military officers who had trained in SAFTI Military Institute's live-firing area had regaled him with tales of tranquil lakes and lush virgin forests, all found in the protected area.

Interest piqued, Mr Ong asked his old friend, Mr Peter Ho, then Permanent Secretary for Defence, whether he could help to arrange a visit. One thing led to another and Mr Ong agreed to present one of his paintings to SAFTI as a memento.

However, the project hit a snag after Mr Ong went on a guided tour of the live-firing area in a Land Rover. He simply could not find a suitable spot that could be distinctively associated with SAFTI.

"I think in the minds of most Singaporeans, when you say SAFTI, they think of the tower with the flag. At the live-firing area, it was all rivers and jungle, as well as disused tanks as targets," mused Mr Ong.

"I tried to paint a few thumbnail sketches, but it did not look like a military area in Singapore; it could very well have looked like somewhere in Iraq or the Gulf."

Two years later and a sheer dose of serendipity ensured that the completion of the painting was timed perfectly to coincide with SAFTI's 10th anniversary celebrations this year.

"It was only recently that I met Peter Ho and he asked how was the painting. I had hoped he had forgotten about it!" said Mr Ong.

"I then asked to go to SAFTI Headquarters since that is the place where you can see the whole of SAFTI. I took a walk around the area and it was right in front of the admin area, that when you look, all the important buildings are there the corridor, ceremonial hall, tower, entrance to the parade ground, and the stadium. It was a very good spot."

The actual painting took about four weeks to complete.

Mr Ong personally handed over the painting to Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Ng Yat Chung at SAFTI on 25 Aug.

"SAFTI is where we train our fighting men who defend Singapore, who guard our territorial waters, boundaries and airspace. So I think you have to put that kind of discipline and seriousness into the painting," said Mr Ong, who has painted other buildings, including Singapore Polytechnic and the Istana.

"This is done by using colours. To symbolise a bright future, strong colours are used. You can see the building is red, it is different - the kind of energy, the type of energetic colours that is incorporated into the painting," he said.

"The message that I want to put across is that this is SAFTI, something that gives you the latest in military technology and military education. It is the nerve centre of military training and when you are here, you can see all aspects of military training."