Actor Thomas Ong finds buyer for oil painting of founding PM Lee Kuan Yew
Home-grown actor Thomas Ong recently made the difficult decision to part with a beloved possession: a huge oil portrait of Singapore’s late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
The 55-year-old posted on Instagram on Nov 16 that he was letting it go for $4,000 as he was moving to a smaller home. The artwork is composed entirely of numbers, arranged to look like Mr Lee.
The actor of series such as Channel 5 soap opera Kin (2018 to 2022) and Channel 8’s Three Wishes (2014) said he has always admired Mr Lee’s foresight and courage. He chanced upon the painting in Thailand six years ago. It measures 1.7m by 1.5m and took a month to complete.
Ong spent more than $2,000 to buy it and transport it back.
He said: “I was so taken by it that I brought it home without hesitation. When my friends see this painting, they’re in awe of how unique it is and are curious how the artist managed to imbue such deep emotions into the canvas.”
He added: “Every time I face challenges in life or when I feel down, I look at this painting and it reminds me, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ All the hardships and perseverance will eventually be beautiful chapters of life.”
In an interview with Shin Min Daily News published on Nov 21, Ong said an old friend has agreed to buy the painting from him at his asking price of $4,000. The money will go towards two schools in Cambodia, which Ong has been financially supporting for several years.
He told Shin Min that he felt sad to part with the artwork.
“It is a rare piece of work. But we come into this world bearing nothing and we will leave with nothing, so having had it in my possession is enough. It is more important to raise funds for the school,” he said.
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