Dr Tan It Koon (1939-2024) left us and this world on May 1, 2024. He was a regular contributor to our blog, agewelleveryday.org.
Dr Tan’s passion was truly remarkable. He often wrote and painted in the depths of the night, eagerly sharing them with his friends in WhatsApp groups. My first encounter with his work was through posts forwarded by Professor KT Foo to his friends. Intrigued, I contacted Dr Tan, suggesting I would like to edit his WhatsApp posts for republication on agewelleveryday.org. His immediate agreement was a testament to his unwavering dedication.
Dr Tan studied under Singapore’s pioneering artists, Liu Kang (刘抗 and Chen Wen Hsi (陈文希). He continued to draw and exhibit while preparing for his postdoctoral professional training and the membership examinations of the College of Pathology (1966-1968). Before his retirement, he was the head of Clinical Biochemistry at the Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital.
” My frozen hands holding a punting pole of the boat could not be warmed by blowing warm air from my mouth. The moon cast a cool light over the entire boat, and the flying snowflakes blurred my vision. “
Dr Tan’s leadership roles in Singapore’s artistic development were transformative. From the 1970s, he spearheaded numerous exhibitions of Singaporean artists showcasing local talent. His dedication was acknowledged and celebrated with a Cabinet Appointment at the National Theatre Trust (1982-1991). In the 1980s and 1990s, he served on various committees for the Singapore Cultural Foundation, the Singapore Festival of Arts, the National Arts Council and the Singapore Dance Theatre. His tenure as the President and Chairman of the Exhibition Committee (1995 to 2013) of the South East Asian Art Society was marked by significant strides in promoting regional art.
Dr Tan received two National Day awards: a PPA Medal Award in 1979 in recognition of excellence in public administration for his work in health care at the Ministry of Health and the Singapore General Hospital, and the Public Service Medal in 1988 for contributions to the community, especially in the development of the arts.
Dr Tan’s artistic prowess was not limited to the visual and fine arts. He was a gifted musician and pianist, a testament to his versatility and depth of talent. His contributions to the musical scene in Singapore were as significant as his contributions to the visual arts, leaving an indelible mark on both spheres. He made full use of his talent and contributed much to our understanding and appreciation of the arts.
Dr Tan will be sadly missed. However, our blog will continue publishing the posts I have collected from his WhatsApp chat group.
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
