There were a few misty eyes among the crowd of international art collectors and industry bigwigs gathered at the poolside courtyard of the US Ambassador’s Residence, as Singaporean artist Lee Wen claimed the Joseph Balestier Award for the Freedom of Art prize. US Ambassador Kirk Wagar and Art Stage Singapore founder and president Lorenzo Rudolf jointly presented the award and its US$15,000 prize to the performance artist, who was among three Asian nominees for the award. Lee, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and had to be helped to the stage, gamely stood up to present an artwork in thanks to each of the award organisers.