Choo Thiam Siew
BORN: 1951
HOMETOWN: SINGAPORE
LIVES AND WORKS: SINGAPORE
Choo Thiam Siew has had a distinguished career in the Arts scene spanning over 20 years. Prior to his current role as the CEO of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC), he was the President of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) from 2003 to 2014, and served as CEO of the National Arts Council (NAC) from 1996 to 2003.
Choo is formally trained in Chinese calligraphy. His love for calligraphy began at the tender age of 11, when he started by teaching himself basic brushstrokes. He has come a long way since then, having continued his practice to hone his skill over the past 50 years, including 20 years of training under the locally renowned calligrapher, Mr. Chang Sow Yam. He has previously participated in group exhibitions and has regularly presented his calligraphy works to close friends and family. Choo is also well-versed in and a published writer of Chinese classical poems, producing his first collection of personal poems in 2001. He marries his deep knowledge in Chinese classical poems, as well as in Chinese language, history, philosophy, and culture, with his masterful skill in calligraphy to produce original and meaningful calligraphy artworks, making him a truly unique and well-rounded calligrapher.
Choo was educated as a horticulturist, having received his Bachelor in Horticultural Science from Lincoln College, University of Canterbury, and his masters in urban forestry from Australian National University (ANU), both under Singapore’s Colombo Plan Scholarship. Prior to his career in the arts, he was with the then Parks and Recreation Department (P&R), which later became the National Parks Board (NParks) for 20 years, rising to Deputy CEO before leaving in 1996.
Over the years, he has served as Chairman, President, or Board Member on various cultural organizations and institutions, including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, School of the Arts, and presided as Chief Judge of the UOB Painting of the Year for several years. Currently, he is the Chairman of Tote Board Arts Fund, Director of Singapore Chinese Orchestra Company Limited, Independent Director of Composers and Authors Society of Singapore Limited (COMPASS), Director of Ding Yi Music Company Ltd, Member of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd Chinese Newspaper Division Advisory Panel, Chairman of National Chinese Music Competition Advisory Committee, President of General Society for Chinese Classical Poetry (International), and Chairman of MCI’s Broadcast/Publication/ Arts Appeal Committee.