– Kristin Liu

In College, I studied Art History and French and one of the main reasons I did was because of my grandfather. I grew up surrounded by his paintings, fascinated by their subjects and colours.

Like my grandfather, I wanted to study in Paris and learn about the painters he was inspired by, and I did for one year. I walked through the Louvre and Musee D’orsay, probably looking at and examining the same paintings he did.

That’s me (2nd from the left) with my parents and a guest at the exhibition opening of Liu Kang: A Centennial Celebration

When I was born, my grandfather was already a fairly old man (well, in the eyes of a young girl), so I never really got to know him. These past few months, I have learned more about my grandfather’s life through reading texts, watching video clips and looking at his photos. I feel as though I am getting to know him more intimately. I never knew my grandfather was such a handsome young man!

The Liu Family, together with Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts and Mr Koh Seow Chuan, Chairman, National Art Gallery, Singapore

I have thoroughly enjoyed helping the curators on this exhibition. Writing wall labels has enabled me to closely examine my grandfather’s works, something I have not really done before.

I have enjoyed helping the educators collect artefacts – Balinese Masks, old paints and paint brushes and even an old camera that belonged to my grandfather.

One of the many inspirational quotes by my grandfather, Liu Kang

View of the gallery

What’s exciting for me is seeing this exhibition evolve from ideas on paper into reality. Watching the curators talk about the exhibition layout and then seeing the actual artworks in the exhibition space.

Working on this exhibition has truly been a wonderful, once in a life opportunity.

Kristin was an intern at The National Art Gallery, Singapore working on the Liu Kang: A Centennial Celebration exhibition. She graduated in 2010 from the US with a double major in Art History and French. Kristin is currently pursuing a Mandarin studies course in Beijing.