Just beside Ambassador Dr Ulrich Sante’s main two-storey residence in Nassim Road lies a small, nondescript whitewashed building that’s about a quarter of the size of a squash court. Within its four walls, you’ll find three racks overflowing with bricks, wood and metal objects in an assortment of shapes and sizes. It’s a stark departure from Dr Sante’s fastidiously neat home, but the makeshift storeroom is clearly one of the ambassador’s favourite rooms. Consider it his garden of raw materials, where he goes to pick out the ingredients he requires before adjourning to his workshop to work on his art pieces.
Many know Dr Sante as a diplomat, and only a select few are privy to his artistic passions. “My parents were wise enough to ensure that my siblings and I not only studied science and mathematics, but also the arts. As young children, they gave us space to be creative. When I grew older and started fixing things around the house, I realised that I liked working with my hands.”
ARTISTIC PURSUITS
This budding interest in art only crystallised when Dr Sante studied law in Freiburg, Germany. He was inexplicably drawn to the art history module and approached one of the professors, an old whitehaired woman, while she was giving a lecture on French ceramics.
“I told her I was studying law, but I liked her classes,” he recalled, a wistful look on his face. “I asked if she would allow me to participate and write a paper on a specific ceramic that I saw in Strasbourg. It was made by a French artist named Joseph Hannong.”
The professor agreed. And so, Dr Sante went immediately to work. The pursuit invigorated him, so much so that he went beyond the scope of the paper and began not only comparing different types of ceramics from the different regions in France and Italy, but also included his own drawings and illustrations of these pieces.
This story is from the March 2020 edition of The PEAK Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of The PEAK Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Wear The World On Your Wrist
These watches are proudly made in Switzerland, but prouder still are their homages to other cultures.
Shaping Healthy Confectioneries Through Science-Backed Innovation
At a time when health-conscious consumers are questioning the norms of processed foods, Glico tells us why it stands firm in its confidence.
The Home Advantage
This AI-dependent reno-tech platform is cutting out the middleman for interior designing and, recently, its financing.
Financing Art
UOB, UBS, OCBC, and Bank of America are some financial institutions involved heavily in today's art world. Why is this the case?
Airing New Possibilities
Acclaimed chefs Matthew Orlando and Will Goldfarb hope to inspire and spark deeper conversations and action around food and circular cooking at their idyllic concept Air in lush Dempsey Hill.
Taking Initiative
Nicole Robinson, andbeyond's chief marketing officer, shares how the luxury safari operator is accelerating its ground partnerships in a race against time to save the planet's remaining wilderness.
Tropical Modernism
In this three-storey inter-terrace belonging to a family of four, designer Ethan Lin of TE-EL sought to create a cosy nest that marries the disparate tastes of its owners.
A Symphony of Vintage
Antoine Bakhache, founder of Bakhache Jewellery, shares the story behind the brand's inception, its curated vintage collections, and the journey ahead.
Time is of the Ressence
Time is of the Ressence Independent watch brand founder Benoit Mintiens on creating unique timepieces by focusing on the user experience.
A Timeless Impact
The Rolex Awards for Enterprise celebrate innovators like Denica Riadini-Flesch, whose work at SukkhaCitta focuses on ethical craftsmanship.