President Tharman (third from right) and his wife, Ms Jane Ittogi (second from right), pose for a group photo with Mr Ang Chin Koon (third from left), Founder and CEO of CK Group, and Mr Lin Lu Zai, President of Aspiration Fine Arts, holding Ang’s new book, “From Business Triumphs to Philanthropic Pursuits: The Memoir of Ang Chin Koon”, and a photo album titled “Infinite Creativity”. The second person from the left is special guest Mr Khaw Boon Wan. (Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
“I have experienced numerous ups and downs in life, and I have never given up lightly. I hope to share with you both the highs and lows of my business endeavours, as well as my journey along the path of charity. I eagerly anticipate inspiring the indomitable spirit of resilience within everyone and encouraging more individuals to dedicate themselves to the cause of public welfare through this book."
Having traversed a life journey marked by obstacles and twists, and having faced failure three times in his business endeavours, Ang Chin Koon, founder and CEO of CK Group, shared during his book launch and charity photo exhibition: “This time, me and ink painter Lin Lu Zai are working together on a charity mission. I think that photography and painting is a beautiful world. The highest realm of art is to make people happy, and life is an art. Because of gratitude, I am happy, let us all embrace happiness together.”
Ang Chin Koon’s book launch and charity photo exhibition on 20 April 2024, was attended by hundreds of people, all supporting his charitable cause. (Photo by Tan Cheng Hwa)
The founder of CK Department Store, a retail chain with locations in neighbourhoods across the island, Ang Chin Koon, is a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist. However, what many people don't know is that he is also passionate about photography. On 20 April 2024, at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Ang Chin Koon launched his new book titled “From Business Triumphs to Philanthropic Pursuits: The Memoir of Ang Chin Koon” which chronicles the ups and downs of his life and his charity path.
Simultaneously, he collaborated with his renowned master painter friend, Lin Lu Zai, who painted and embellished Ang's photos for display. In conjunction with the book launch, the “Infinite Creative: Ang Chin Koon x Lin Lu Zai Charity Photo Exhibition” was also held on the same day. Ang Chin Koon generously donated all proceeds from the sale of his photo paintings to five organisations, with the Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) receiving a donation of SGD 500,000.
The event was organised by Nam Hwa Opera and co-organised by the Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore). The Guests of Honour for the event was President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife, Ms Jane Ittogi, Mr Khaw Boon Wan and a few others.
President Tharman (third from left) and his wife, Ms Jane Ittogi admiring the works of the photo painting exhibition after officiating the ceremony. (Photo by Tan Cheng Hwa)
Dedicating himself to social responsibility
Embarking on their first venture into the field of arts for charity, the collaboration between Ang Chin Koon and Lin Lu Zai received a promising response. A total of 203 photo paintings from the charity photo exhibition found eager buyers, raising an impressive sum of S$1.6 million. Proceeds from the sale were distributed among five organisations: $500,000 for the President's Challenge Fund, another $500,000 for Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), Nam Hwa Opera received $400,000, Cheng Hong Welfare Society received $100,000, and $100,000 was allocated to Safe Place, an organization dedicated to supporting women and children.
In his speech, Ang Chin Koon said, “We eagerly anticipate the impact of these donations in fostering further charitable endeavours to extend more warmth and care to society.”
In 2000, Tzu Chi held a festive charity fair at its former premise in Chinatown, where Ang Chin Koon first encountered the organisation. Since then, he has been a steadfast supporter of Tzu Chi. In an interview preceding the event, Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) CEO Low Swee Seh commended Ang Chin Koon for sharing his life experiences in his memoir titled “From Business Triumphs to Philanthropic Pursuits: The Memoir of Ang Chin Koon” and for generously donating the proceeds from the sale of his charity artwork. He emphasised that such acts of kindness create ripples of goodness that can make a significant impact within the local community.
Low Swee Seh said: “After experiencing life's ups and downs, Ang Chin Koon was inspired by the Jing Si Aphorisms, which state, ‘Doing good deeds and practicing filial piety cannot wait,’ to encourage many people to heed this call. It can be said that he has sown the seeds of kindness among entrepreneurs in Singapore, promoting the practice of kindness in the business world.”
Founder and CEO of CK Group, Ang Chin Koon (left) presenting a cheque to Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) CEO, Low Swee Seh (centre), and on the right, Toh Lim Mok, President of Nam Hwa Opera. (Photo by Tan Cheng Hwa)
Humbly sharing one’s life story to inspire deep thoughts in others
Amidst the slogans and cheers of the crowd, President Tharman and his wife, Ms Jane Ittogi, grandly inaugurated the Ang Chin Koon Book Launch and Charity Photo Exhibition.
The selected photos and painted artworks are featured in the “Infinite Creativity” photo album. Additionally, the book “From Business Triumphs to Philanthropic Pursuits: The Memoir of Ang Chin Koon,” spanning over 400 pages divided into ten chapters, meticulously recounts the highs and lows of Ang Chin Koon’s life journey. It delves into his profound relationships with his parents and close friends, as well as his dedicated involvement in charitable work for over two decades.
Amidst the slogans and cheers of the crowd, President Tharman and his wife, Ms Jane Ittogi grandly inaugurated the Ang Chin Koon Book Launch and Charity Photo Exhibition. (Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
After reading the book, Choo Chee Wee, Editor of Shin Min Daily News and one of the attending guests, expressed that what touched him most in the book was not the drastic change in Ang's life, but rather his profound realization of life's true meaning following experiences of impermanence. Choo shared that the book mentioned a significant moment when Ang's father fell seriously ill. Ang was confronted with the dilemma of whether or not to administer intubation, and ultimately chose not to rely on medical support to prolong his father's life, opting instead to prioritize his father's comfort and minimize his suffering.
“It was he (Ang Chin Koon) who signed the consent form to refuse intubation first, and then his father signed. Being able to let go of a loved one this way is not something that ordinary people can do.” Choo further said, “Now he not only does good deeds himself, but also calls out to his friends to do good together, empowering his friends and forming a bigger magnetic field for charity effort.”
Many of Ang Chin Koon's friends from the business community are at the venue to show their support. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
Choo Chee Wee, who also served as the guide for one of the guided readings of Ang’s memoir, believes that perhaps it is due to the numerous drastic and unpredictable changes in his life that Ang Chin Koon is able to lead such a free, simple, and tranquil life.
Between 2pm to 4.30pm, from 21 April to 25 April, at the Multi-Purpose Hall on the 7th floor of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, there will be five sessions of “From Business Triumphs to Philanthropic Pursuits: The Memoir of Ang Chin Koon” book sharing. Ang Chin Koon will share his experiences and thoughts on the book with a variety of guests. The “Infinite Creativity” Photo Exhibition will be open to the public from April 20th to April 25th, from 11 am to 8 pm, free of charge.
Tzu Chi volunteers performing the song “Let Love Spread Far a d Wide” in sign language, immersing the audience in a peaceful tune. (Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
A spark ignited by the fusion of art
Ang Chin Koon carefully selected 203 photos for the exhibition, 68 of which have been enhanced with ink painting or calligraphy. When painting is added to a photo, what kind of visual effect does it evoke?
Visiting the photography exhibition today, Janelle Lin Jing, a student of ink painter Lin Lu Zai's painting class, was mesmerized by the artwork. She shared that most of the photos were taken in nature, and that the inscriptions and ink painting strokes added by Lin Lu Zai enhanced the expression of the artwork and made the paintings more appreciable.
While admiring the photo painting titled “Sunny Spring Breeze,” Janelle Lin praised the placement of the ink painting on the photo, noting that the brush strokes and colours were just right. She remarked, “The position of the brush and brush strokes flows smoothly. Even if the painting on the wood is not perfectly straight, it follows the flow of the photo's composition. Upon careful contemplation of the written words, I find them particularly meaningful. Coupled with the cherry blossoms atop the painting, it unleashes a vibrant atmosphere of spring.”
Janelle Lin Jing (second from left), a student of the painting class of ink painter Lin Lu Zhai, and her friend visiting the photo exhibition and thought that the combination of photography and ink painting made the paintings more appreciable. (Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
The book launch and charity photo exhibition received an overwhelming response, with 203 pieces of artwork purchased by donors. And Ang Chin Koon is already working on his next charity initiative.
“The happiest thing is to ‘collect money’, this time we managed to get two hundred people to do charity," he said, holding a small stack of cheques and laughing cheerfully. "It's wonderful to inspire others to do good. So, I will continue on this charity path and will not stop."
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