Well, this was certainly blown out of proportion. In its infinite wisdom, the National Arts Council (NAC) decided to pull an $8,000 publication grant that was presented to critically-acclaimed Singaporean comic artist Sonny Liew due to “sensitive content” in his new graphic novel The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye.
According to The Straits Times, the NAC takes issue with the confrontational tone of Liew’s book as well as the political critique peppered throughout by its main character.
The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye depicts the story Chan Hock Chye, a pioneering comics artist in Singapore with a career that spans from pre-independent Singapore through its three Prime Ministers.
The graphic novel has already received critical praise over the Eisner-nominated artist’s “fiercely perceptive appraisal” of Singapore, “an unflinching restrospective of the post-war-into-modern era”, as well as being “equally uncompromising in its political critique and its artistic vision”.
Those who want to see what the fuss is all about should drop by Liew’s book launch tomorrow at the Kinokuniya bookstore at Ngee Ann City from 2pm to 3pm.
Reader Interactions