FOR Nancy Koh Lee, publication of her collection of Chinese paintings, calligraphy and poems is not only a rich opportunity for those who enjoy exploring the oriental arts, it is a means of turning ideals into the building of a better Asia.
Mrs Lee says the publication of Moment To Moment ($200), the collection of her art works from 1977 to 1994, is the realisation of her dream of working for a brighter future for the Asian people.
She has donated 2,000 copies to the Research Institute for the Humanities at the Chinese University, in the hope of raising $400,000 to support its Programme of Research Utilisation in the Social Sciences and Education.
The programme, a research study on the development of social sciences in oriental societies, is organised by Chinese University Research Professor To Cho-yee and is the joint effort of more than 30 leading scholars and scientists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.
It's an attempt to work out better ways of adapting Western philosophy, literature and education in Eastern societies. 'That's very meaningful to Asia indeed, because Western social sciences still don't work very well in Asian society,' Mrs Lee said.
Another 1,000 copies were donated to Malaysia's Mount Miriam Hospital linear accelerator fund, to raise about $300,000 to buy new equipment for the cancer hospital. 'My family is from Malaysia and I want to do something for my motherland with the book,' the artist said.