Winning bidders Mr Karsono Kwee (extreme left) and Mr Neo Kah Kiat (extreme right) alongside Mr Frederick Chin, UOB’s Head of Group Wholesale Banking & Markets (middle), Mr Eric Lian, UOB’s Head of Group Commercial Banking (second from right) and Mr Kelvin Lim, Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director at LHN Group (second from left), at a fundraising gala on 13 February 2024.
Singapore, 15 February 2024 – UOB and its Commercial Banking clients raised more than S$2.2 million for charity, as part of the Bank’s annual Lunar New Year festive celebrations.
The funds raised through a series of art workshops and fundraising gala, will be used to support art, children and education causes. These include The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, FaithActs, and Central Singapore CDC (UOB My Digital Bootcamp), North West CDC and South West CDC.
Mr Frederick Chin, Head of Group Wholesale Banking and Markets, UOB, said, “Our tradition of combining art, philanthropy and celebrations gives us the opportunity to spread festive joy to the broader community through annual fundraising activities. We are grateful to our clients for their generosity every year, where the business community come together to support children and artists in a meaningful way. Through our combined efforts, we continue to do good together.”
As part of the fundraising efforts, about 40 clients took part in an art workshop on 30 January 2024. During the workshop, Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and CEO, UOB, applied finishing touches to the art pieces.
These art pieces were auctioned off to Mr Neo Kah Kiat, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Neo Group Limited and Mr Karsono Kwee, Executive Chairman of Eurokars Group, for a bid amount of S$188,000 and S$128,000 respectively at the fundraising gala on 13 February 2024 with clients.
The first art piece, titled, “Soaring Dragon”, depicts a legendary dragon on jade, signifying an abundance of gold and jade, and exuding a noble atmosphere. The dragon soars above a solid foundation of a jade seal, flying amid the auspicious clouds, conveying the joy of a flourishing future. The artwork reflects honour, success and good fortune, demonstrating the Eastern traditional beliefs, wisdom and optimism. “Soaring Dragon” is a commissioned artwork by Leo Liu, Platinum Award winner of the 2012 UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore) art competition.
Titled “Flourishing Vitality”, the second piece is a commissioned artwork by artist Phuay Li Ying. It features a majestic dragon soaring across the mountains amid a flock of golden cranes. The golden cranes, which symbolises UOB’s key markets in the region, were personally folded and stitched by Mr Wee and his wife.
The dragon, depicted through the curation of mixed mediums such as watercolour and silk embroidery, represents UOB and how we connect our clients to growth opportunities across Southeast Asia.
Mr Neo Kah Kiat, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Neo Group Limited, said, “Every year, we look forward to UOB’s fundraising activity during the festive season as it gives businesses the opportunity to come together to do good and support those who are in need. We are glad to be part of this meaningful initiative to give back to the community and we look forward to participating in future events."
Mr Karsono Kwee, Executive Chairman of Eurokars Group, said, “We always look forward to this chance to come together as a business community over the Lunar New Year as we collectively spread cheer through this good cause. This annual activity also gives us the opportunity to give back to the causes close to our hearts, and we are glad to be part of UOB’s commitment in giving back."
