SINGAPORE – The latest National Day Singapore Sweep Draw has generated some online chatter, not for the S$5m prize money, but for the image of a painting by one of Singapore’s foremost painters Chua Mia Tee.

The iconic 1955 oil painting titled Epic Poem of Malaya depicts a time in Singapore when anti-colonialism sentiment ran high and social anti-vice movements were prevalent. The painting features a man reading to an audience of school children, and it was Chua’s response to the turbulent post-war years and was inspired by anti-colonial and anti-vice movements prevalent of that time.

Some Netizens have wondered about the use of this painting, saying it is “ironic” given that it is used on a lottery ticket.

Dan Feng, co-founder of The Select Centre, a non-profit company that promotes writers and translators, posted on Facebook on Thursday (July 5), saying: “One major effort of theirs (the activists) was the Anti-Yellow Movement, aimed at curbing social vices such as gambling, opium-smoking, pornography, and prostitution, which they felt were corrupting the youths of Malaya.

“Sixty-two years later, this same painting is used to promote a lottery in which the jackpot has been raised to $5 million in honour of our National Day. All hail our social progress.”

When contacted Feng said: “The Tote Board deserves much praise for its consistent support of the arts but I found the use of Epic Poem of Malaysia on this poster disconcerting.”He added that he finds the use of the painting on the lottery ticket “incongruous” with the “idealism and determination” of activists of the time, “who not only fought for an independent Singapore but also engaged in social campaigns” against social vices, including gambling.

The iconic painting on the Singapore Sweep ticket is part of a project called Art at Home by Singapore Pools, together with National Gallery Singapore, that was launched last year to showcase the works of local artists on the 2017 Sweep tickets as a tribute to Singapore’s vibrant arts scene and help the community develop a greater appreciation of the works of some of Singapore’s renowned artists.

Speaking with TODAY, the artist behind the painting, Cultural Medallion recipient Chua, 86, said he did not know that the image of his painting was used on the Singapore Sweep ticket. On the artwork, he said: “When I was younger, my works were focused on anti-colonialism, the anti-vice movements and anti-yellow movements.”

Responding to queries from TODAY, Singapore Pools and National Gallery Singapore (NGS) said in a joint statement: “We do not view featuring Mr Chua Mia Tee’s Epic Poem of Malaya on the ticket design as an irony.”

“It is a fact that the Government set up Singapore Pools for the purpose of countering illegal gambling syndicates, a mission we still uphold today. Right up to the 1970s, organised gambling was the domain of secret society triads. For close to 50 years since our formation, Singapore Pools has a key role in our nation’s effort to counter illegal gambling activities. In providing a safe and legal outlet for those who want a little flutter, we also constantly remind our customers about playing with care and within their means.”

Singapore Pools and NGS added that the hope is for people to be attracted by the artwork on the tickets and take the time to visit the Gallery and view the actual paintings.

Proceeds from The Singapore Sweep have been used to fund the development of iconic buildings such as National Gallery Singapore, Esplanade, National Stadium, as well as fund many community causes through the Tote Board.

Besides his oil paintings depicting Singapore’s traditional urban landscape, Chua is also a well-known portrait artist. He is behind the paintings of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s return from London after the Merdeka Talks, the swearing-in ceremony of then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, and Singapore’s ministers and members of parliament during parliamentary sessions. His portrait of the late President Yusof bin Ishak also appears on Singapore portrait-series currency notes.

While Feng felt the use of the Epic Poem of Malaya painting is “incongruous” on a lottery ticket, he noted, “On a positive note, this certainly presents an opportunity to raise awareness about Singapore’s art and social history.”