He said Pulau Ubin still has the feel of Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s, and urged artists to capture it before it gets 'developed into another Sentosa'.
During his 30 years in politics, Dr Ho Kah Leong occasionally dabbled in oil paintings. Now, the former Senior Parliamentary Secretary and MP has turned his hobby into a full-time pursuit, spending weekends capturing the idyllic scenes of Pulau Ubin.
An exhibition, Poetic Ubin, showcasing 20 of these paintings opened last Friday at the Black Earth Art Museum in Joo Chiat Road.
'When you're in politics, your weekends are never really yours. But now, I have the time to pursue my interest in art,' said Dr Ho, 73. He was the principal of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa) from 1997 to 2003. He retired from politics when he stepped down as MP for Jurong in 1996.
The 20 paintings were done over a few decades on his visits to Pulau Ubin with a group of artist friends and his wife, Madam Grace Chan, 70, who does calligraphy. The Hos have three children - a son and two daughters. One of his daughters is photographer Ho Hui May, 32, who lectures at Nafa.
'I am a big advocate of on-the-spot paintings,' he said. 'You immerse yourself in the ambience and get a real sense of the place.'
He said Pulau Ubin still has the feel of Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s, and urged artists to capture it before it gets 'developed into another Sentosa'.
His paintings cost about $12,000 each and are for sale at the exhibition.
They capture scenes of villages, bumboats and the busy jetty.
Dr Ho is also launching a calendar for next year with 13 paintings from this series. Proceeds from 300 copies costing $10 each will go towards the charity B'Well in Geylang East, which caters to the healthcare needs of senior citizens.
Dr Ho, who is a senior consultant at publishing firm Pioneers & Leaders, said his passion for painting started when he was a student at Chung Cheng High School.
'I used to stay back after school just to paint,' he recalled. 'Once you get started on painting, you will never forget how to do it,' he said with a chuckle.
Where: Black Earth Art Museum, 352 Joo Chiat Road
When: Till Oct 19, Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 9 pm
Admission: Free