(Photo: The Sanchaya)
Natalya Pavchinskaya of The Sanchaya is passionate about the arts as well as the Bintan-based luxury resort she founded. Inspired by the creative minds she met early on in her career, she feels it is only natural to bring together the two things she loves to offer a platform for emerging artists in Southeast Asia. “Bintan is a tranquil respite from Singapore, yet is so easily accessible for international travellers, so we’re looking forward to using the estate as a convenient hub from which to amplify the global film and arts scene,” she says. With the launch of this initiative, the stunning property can serve as a canvas where established and emerging creative talents can bounce ideas off and spark conversations.
One endeavour is a series of film investment summits. The first film to be selected is I Am Woman — that tells the powerful story of Helen Reddy. The title is taken from Reddy’s 1975 hit song, which galvanised a generation of women to fight for change. It is set to start production this September and premiere in 2020.
There is also an artist-in-residence programme, which includes commissioning an estate-wide installation and inviting top classical musicians to perform. Both have kicked off. London-based artist and illustrator Charlotte Ager, who uses colours and textures to reinterpret her environment, recently completed a two-week residency.
Meanwhile, internationally acclaimed violinist Igor Yuzefovich has paid a visit to The Sanchaya. Yuzefovich has performed with Richard Bamping, the principal cellist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra since 1993.
Ager’s unique pieces are available for sale in the resort’s salon with the majority of proceeds going towards The Morris Foundation, which supports families living in poverty and local orphanages by providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children.
