ART OF JOY: THE JOURNEY OF YIP YEW CHONG

How does a certified accountant become an artist? How did the world of finance instruct his art to make him the unlikely artist that he is today? How has his art been able to bring so much joy to Singaporeans and foreigners alike? Art of Joy unravels the fascinating story of Yip Yew Chong, from the moment his ability to draw was spotted in kindergarten, his early humble years in Chinatown, the strong bond with his mother, grandmother and aunt, to his marriage, children and corporate success.

This book tells the story of planning for one's second act, and how that can be more successful and more fulfilling than the first. Few know that Yip only started painting murals in 2015, or that he only devoted himself to his craft full-time in 2018. Yip's success in painting came only after his success in the world of finance, but painting was his first love. He cradled this love through his corporate life, never letting go, and switched to paint full time only when he was ready. The art of joy is also the art of knowing what makes us and keeps us happy, and how that happiness is shown and shared.

Contents:

• The Chinatown Native
• Before the Artist
• Chinatown's 'Open-Air Museum'
• Being Whimsical
• Nothing Lasts Forever
• The Art of Being Social
• A People's Artist
• Lifting the Human Spirit
• Reinvention Story
• Journeys
• A Long, Long Canvas
• Postscript
• About the Author

Readership: Art appreciators and those who are interested in Singapore's contemporary arts scene.

'There are storytellers. There are painters. There are magicians who marry history with the present. And then there is Yip Yew Chong. He is all three. And more. When I look at his murals, especially when I've stood in the streets and backstreets watched him paint, he moves everything — my heart, my head, my guts.' - Irene HoeWriter, editor and educator

'A young city-state that must continually remake itself to survive and prosper in a world undergoing more-than-usual flux needs social and cultural ballast that stabilizes without allowing sterile nostalgia to hinder adaptation and progress. Yip Yew Chong's delightfully playful yet serious murals thus serve an essential political and strategic as well as aesthetic purpose. They capture what he calls 'a collective memory' enriching and enlivening our city-scape, while reminding us from whence we came and who we are and must remain even as we navigate rapid change. An appreciation of his work is long overdue. Congratulations on Art of Joy.' - Bilahari KausikanFormer Permanent SecretaryMinistry of Foreign Affairs

'Mothership first featured Yew Chong in 2017 when he was a part-time artist. My colleague Ashley Tan, who interviewed and written about him over the years, shared that for someone whose works are so sentimental, he is a surprisingly down-to-earth and practical individual. Art of Joy by Woon Tai Ho is an accessible and introspective look into Yew Chong's life and his second act as an artist. Tai Ho, in his second act as a chronicler of significant and unconventional Singaporeans, managed to bring out the childlike joy of Yew Chong's works into prose, and the book connects and delights.' - Martino TanManaging EditorMothership.sg

''A people's artist' sums up perfectly the professional persona behind one of Singapore's most recognised and well-loved muralists. Beyond this description is 'a people's person' —' likable, approachable and perhaps, most important for someone as keen an artist as Yip Yew Chong, curiously observant without being obtrusive. To those familiar with the many long-gone scenes Yip captures so vividly, his works are evocative, often poignantly nostalgic. And to those unfamiliar, these same images must surely delight while proffering a sense of time, place and understanding. Kudos to Woon Tai Ho for expressing in words the joy of life that makes Yip Yew Chong the people's artist he is.' - Sharon YeoPublisher, Friend and Client

'I met Yip earlier this year and came away impressed with his teenager-like zest in mural painting. This book digs deeper into his life story and reveals two other loves. Yip's grandma was a great influence. He remembers her in many of his paintings. Then, his wife. Like him, she was an accountant and did all the sums to convince him to take the dive into making painting a full-time job. As we mark founding father Lee Kuan Yew's 100th birth anniversary, here is a son of Singapore we need to celebrate. Yip Yip Hooray.' - PN BaljiAuthor, Journalist

'Woon Tai Ho's intimate style of writing draws you into the book, much like how Yip Yew Chong has a way of drawing one into his art. The book unveils the captivating journey of Yip Yew Chong from a corporate man to the artist that he is today. An uplifting read, suitable for all ages, you would almost find yourself smiling as you are reading this book! Through Yew Chong's art, we are transported back to our recent past, uniting generations, uniting cultures. We will forever be thankful to the joy Yew Chong and his art have brought to our young family of seven since 2015, and we are excited to continue on his inspiring artistic journey together.' - Faith and familyFans of Yip Yew Chong

'Art of Joy helps to document the success of Yip Yew Chong in his switch from the corporate world to the arts and as arguably one of the biggest mural artists, if not the biggest, in Singapore. His works have touched the lives of many Singaporeans and are appreciated across the world. On his murals and especially his 60m painting, you will find many historical nuggets and information, carefully researched and illustrated by Yew Chong, which many Singaporeans can relate to. Definitely more to come from Yew Chong.' - John SohArt Enthusiast

'Yip Yew Chong's murals are a culmination of our collective memories and histories; I cannot emphasise how important they are for Singapore where the only constant is change.' - Darren SohArchitecture Photographer

'He is Singapore's most well-known muralist. His art connects and unites Singaporeans from all walks of life. Art of Joy not only allows us into Yip Yew Chong's nostalgic world, we also get to know the personal stories behind his awe-inspiring works.' - Hong ShinChildren Book Author and Illustrator

'A delightful read of the man behind some of Singapore's most popular street art. You'll find the stories behind his street art, especially of the many women who influenced him and turned up in his paintings — his grandmother, aunt, and supportive wife. A phrase that crops up frequently is that YC is a 'people's artist'. Part of his popularity, and what comes through in the book too, is his approachability, friendliness, humility — he never says no to a photo. His art is indeed universal — they tell stories and are relatable. You'll find yourself wanting to revisit his street art again, now that you know the stories that influenced him.' - Belinda Tan

'I like art that tells stories, and Yew Chong is a delightful storyteller, using our recent and collective history as his story base. Art of Joy is a treasure to me, and I am sure to many of his fans, for it goes behind the art into Yew Chong's own story, from his childhood to his marriage, from an accountant to an artist, branching out from murals to canvas, and many other aspects that are both interesting and surprising. An absorbing read.' - Aziza AliArtist / Author

'What struck me most while reading Art of Joy is when Yew Chong explains, 'When I paint, I go back to me when I was a little boy.' No wonder there is so much joy in his work. There is a lot we can learn from the innocence of children. Thank you Yew Chong!' - Colin LowArt CollectorCEO, Singapore Land Authority