The recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Medal 2012 is multi-disciplinary visual artist, Ming Wong.
Upon his graduation from NAFA in 1995 with a Diploma in Fine Art majoring in Chinese Art, Ming Wong went on to pursue studies at the Slade School of Art, University College London, obtaining his Master of Fine Arts in Fine Art Media in 1999.
A well-known installation and video artist in the international art arena, Ming Wong has showcased his works in numerous solo and group exhibitions as well as screenings at prestigious locations including the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, the Museum of the Moving Image in New York, House of World Cultures in Berlin, and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts. His works have also been shown in many parts of the world such as Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United States of America and at home in Singapore.
Apart from these showcases, since obtaining his degree in the United Kingdom, Ming Wong has also participated in numerous well-respected residencies such as the international studio programme at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin, Germany and the Pearson Creative Research Fellowship at the British Library in London.
His most notable achievement was in 2009 where he was the solo artist representing Singapore at the prestigious 53rd Venice Biennale in Italy. Ming Wong’s exhibition entitled Life of Imitation accorded him a Special Mention (Expanding Worlds) for the Singapore Pavilion by the International Jury. His win at the Venice Biennale, also regarded as the Olympics of the visual arts scene, elevated Singapore contemporary art onto a critical, global plane.
Currently living and based in Berlin in Germany, Ming Wong pursues his practice as a successful full time international artist, making Singapore and NAFA very proud. In September this year, Ming Wong will be showcasing his latest works at the Liverpool Biennial, one of the largest contemporary art festivals in the United Kingdom that commissions works from the most exciting artists from around the world.