Singaporean comic artist Sonny Liew returns NAC funding
Singapore’s award-winning comic artist Sonny Liew has reportedly returned the first tranche of funding that he received from the National Arts Council (NAC) for an upcoming project, saying he did not want to engage in “compromises”.
The 42-year-old was earlier awarded $19,000 worth of funds under the council’s Creation Grant, which provides support for “the creation, adaptation and re-development of distinctive artistic content”.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday (15 September), Liew explained, “With the SWF (Singapore Writers Festival) and the Creation Grant, I’m trying to simplify things on my end, to not get too tangled up in the compromises involved in a relationship where genuine dialogue is so limited.”
Liew had earlier refused to participate in this year’s SWF, which is also supported by the NAC.
“I suppose as much as artists have to deal with a culture of fear and self-censorship, the same applies doubly for folks at the NAC. So you never really get to speak to anyone face-to-face. Maybe more face-to-mask,” added Liew. The post has already been deleted.
According to NAC’s website, the Creation Grant is for artists with a strong track record of artistic achievement and production.
Liew is the first Singaporean to have an Eisner award in July for his graphic novel “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye”. He was awarded under three categories – Best Writer/Artist, Best US Edition of International Material – Asia, Best Publication Design.
In 2015, the NAC withdrew an $8,000 publishing grant for his award-winning work, citing “sensitive content”.
Related stories:
NAC withdraws grant for Singapore comic due to “sensitive content”
I want to know what the Lees think of ‘Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye’: Sonny Liew
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