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Han Kuan Cheng (韓關清) Han Kuan Cheng (韓關清)

Han Kuan Cheng (韓關清)

A pioneer animator who shaped Singapore's education television series from the 1970s

(c. 1938 –)

Han Kuan Cheng was among the first graduates of the Singapore Academy of Arts (新加坡藝術學院) started by the China Society (中國學會). He enrolled in 1959 to study western art and eventually worked as a graphic artist at Radio Television Singapura.

In 1969, Han joined the graphics department of the Singapore Education Television Service (ETV). He would have been part of involved in producing the agency's various magazines and graphics for television programmes. In 1976, he participated in an animation course organised by the Centre for the Production and Training for Adult Education (CEPTA) Television located in Singapore. This was a organisation funded by the Singapore government and the Federal Republic of Germany.

Han worked in the ETV for decades, staying on even when it became part of the Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore (CDIS). He received the The Efficiency Medal (1982) and the Long Service Medal (1994) for completing at least 25 years of service in the government. Besides designing for ETV and CDIS, Han was also the designer of various stamp issues, including two of the stamps for a 1969 series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Singapore. His entry for the National Stadium Corporation's logo competition in 1972 came in third.

Like many graphic designers of that era, Han was also active in Singapore's arts scene. Between 1963 and 1967, he was part of a group of six graduates of the Singapore Academy of Arts who held biennial exhibitions of their artworks. He was also a member of the Modern Art Society since 1964. A painting of his came in fourth in the Esso Standard's "THIS IS SINGAPORE" art competition in 1962.

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