SINGAPORE : The Yellow Ribbon Art Competition has received an overwhelming response - in fact six times more than last year.

579 art pieces were submitted by participating inmates.

The competition, now in its second year, is part of the Yellow Ribbon Project to help ex-offenders reintegrate into society.

Their inspiration for the art pieces include a family's love, life's tribulations, and even the Formula One night race to be held in Singapore in September. But most of all, the inmates are painting a new chapter in their lives.

28-year-old "Ah Fong" has been behind bars for five years for rioting offences. While in jail, he finds strength from his mother's love.

He said: "For the artwork in the Open Category, in a piece called 'Love', I got my inspiration from my mother. The regular visits she makes show a lot of patience and unconditional love."

"Ah Fong" is one of 30 finalists out of the 427 inmates who took part in this year's Yellow Ribbon Art Competition. He hopes to set up his own art studio some day.

The 427 inmates submitted a total of 579 art pieces. Only seven art pieces will be awarded distinctions by the judges - who include local film maker Eric Khoo.

The competition - divided into three categories - also saw participants working with volunteers and using recycled items.

The Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders (CARE) Network hopes the competition will inspire inmates to plan for a brighter future.

ASP Caleb Tan, Member, Organising Committee, Yellow Ribbon Art Competition, said: "Expressions of their feelings and their emotions can be seen in these art pieces. And we can see that there's a genuine desire and willingness to change.

"As an organiser, we're happy because this is the first step towards their rehabilitation. Similarly, we do hope that they can acquire certain skills during their sentence, so that these skills will be useful for them upon their release - in terms of employability."

The art pieces will be auctioned off at a community arts exhibition in November. - CNA/ms