Singapore, 26 May, 2026 — The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) will present the “Titan Sculptors” concert on 6 June 2026, shining a spotlight on the life and art of four Cultural Medallion recipients — sculptors Ng Eng Teng, Han Sai Por, Chng Seok Tin, and Chong Fah Cheong.

The performance, which will be held at the SCO Concert Hall at 7.30pm, is a celebration of the legacy of the four sculptors whose works have contributed to Singapore’s cultural landscape while defining the city’s urban aesthetic.

“Titan Sculptors” is the third instalment of the Cultural Titans concert series organised in collaboration with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC). The series aims to celebrate contributions and achievements of distinguished artists who have been conferred the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s highest arts accolade administered by the National Arts Council.

It will also wrap up SCO’s 2025/26 season, “Metamorphosis”, which aimed to envision the future of Chinese music by drawing from its roots and blending traditional masterworks with new commissions and cross-cultural collaboration.

Through seven compositions – including a newly commissioned work by Koh Cheng Jin – the pieces in “Titan Sculptors” convey the stories of the artists, capture the form and emotions of iconic sculptures, while reflecting on the development of Singapore’s cultural landscape.

A Reflection of the City’s Growth

“Titan Sculptors” aims to reflect on Singapore’s journey through the years, while looking towards the horizon for the beginning of something new.

SCO’s Principal Conductor Quek Ling Kiong, said the concert places Chinese music in dialogue with the sculptures in Singapore’s cityscape. Since the establishment of the Cultural Medallion in 1979, relatively few recipients have come from the field of sculpture, yet their works have left a distinct imprint on the cityscape.

“Many of the artworks by these sculptors have been an integral part of Singapore’s urban landscape. They are the quiet witnesses of Singapore’s transformation from its early nation-building days,” said Principal Conductor Quek.

“With the “Titan Sculptors” concert, we trace these artworks and reanimate them with sound. Our hope is that the audience can connect with the stories of the artists, the history behind their sculptures, and at the same time, appreciate the journey that Singapore has taken.”

He added: “We are deeply honoured for the opportunity to put together this show that celebrates their lives and art.”

Reanimating sculptures through sound (Alternative header: Shapes that Inspire Sounds)

The concert will open with the first work, Vibrant Life from Liu Changyuan’s five-movement symphony Light, first commissioned by Suzhou Chinese Orchestra. The piece’s steady momentum builds towards an upbeat energy, conveying the vibrance and vitality of Singapore’s multicultural society.

Wang Chenwei’s Samsui Women follows next, an ode to the hardy group of women from Guangdong’s Samsui district who helped build Singapore into a thriving modern city. Its opening notes bring to mind the footsteps of a samsui woman trudging on while bearing a heavy load. Today, the Singapore Conference Hall, where SCO calls home, continues to stand tall, a testament to the legacy of the samsui women.

Ng Eng Teng’s iconic Mother and Child sculpture at the foot of the National Gallery of Singapore is set against Winds of Affinity, another composition by Wang. Two dizi voices by Lee Jun Cheng and Ng Wei Xuan emerge in solitude before converging into a resonant whole. Like Ng’s sculpture that explores themes of love, nurture, and bonding, Winds of Affinity is a musical narration of an everlasting bond.

Symphonic Floras by Phang Kok Jun unfolds next. Like the layers of Han Sai Por’s nature-inspired sculptures, which are often shaped organically and elementally, Phang sought to convey through his composition the resilience and elegance of lush foliage and flora. Though they weather thunderstorms, they always blossom and bloom again, remaining constant in an ever-changing landscape.

Completed in 2020 as the world battled the COVID-19 pandemic, Compassion was Luo Maishuo’s gift to the world, bringing tenderness at a time of darkness and despair. The piece brings draws parallels to the story of the late Chng Seok Tin, who despite her visual impairment, displayed immense strength, resilience, and hopefulness, and never stopped making art.

Koh Cheng Jin’s composition, First Generation, is specially commissioned for the concert with support from real estate development company Mapletree. Inspired by Chong Fah Cheong’s well-loved sculpture of the same name, depicting a group of boys diving into the Singapore River, the piece conveys the nostalgic memories of kampung life. This uniquely Singaporean number features two familiar childhood songs from the 1960s and 1970s: Singapura, Sunny Island, and The More We Get Together.

Excerpts from Tan Dun’s Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger Concerto wraps up the night. With Zhou Ruoyu on the gaohu, the piece is a bold statement on the Singapore’s distinctive arts scene: seemingly unassuming, yet full of talent.

Please refer to the Annex for the bios of the sculptors, the composers, the conductor, and the soloists.