Still Life (Moon Festival Table)

Born in China, Georgette Chen Li Ying (1906-1993) received her art education in Paris, New York and Shanghai. Chen's artistic oeuvre can be divided into three phases: French Period from 1927-1933; China-Hong Kong Period from 1934-1948 and Penang-Singapore Period from 1949-1980. Immensely inspired by her surroundings, she produced still-lifes, portraits and landscapes from each phase. Settling in Singapore in 1954, she taught at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts until her retirement in 1980. Regarded as a Pioneer Artist of Singapore who developed the Nanyang Style, she was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1982. Still-life compositions form the principal concern of Chen. 'Still Life (Mooon Festival Table)' is a formal yet unpretentious arrangement of festive objects in reds and greens against a simple, pale background. As the presentation is so direct, the viewer is immediately affected by the colourful exuberance of the festive table and the cheerful mood of the occasion.