Chua Boon Kee (b.1953, Singapore) graduated from Baharuddin Vocational Institute in 1973. He studied under the tutelage of the late sculptor Tan Teng Kee and had a major in Applied Sculpture there. Shortly after graduation, Chua began working in Industrial and Maritime Engineering Projects, where he learnt the technicalities of welding methods used in shipbuilding, the physics and mechanics of steel structures amongst many other concepts and practical applications. These acquired ways and the teachings of Tan Teng Kee became a fundamental grounding for Chua's sculptural practice and his later experimentations in materiality of sculpture and modern aesthetics.The “恩” (ēn . Grace) character is commissioned to be used as the award trophy for the “Salome de Decker Volunteer Recognition Award 2018”, organized by Friends of the Museums (FOM). According to the artist, the base is akin to a sea while the two forms (i.e. Chinese characters) atop represent two boats – while one character symbolised the act of giving while the other character symbolise the act of receiving.
