Untitled 7

Cheong Soo Pieng (1917-1983) is regarded as a pivotal figure in Singapore's modern art development. Born in Xiamen, China, he was part of a group of artists that attempted to articulate a style identifiable and pertinent to post-war Singapore, then known collectively with Malaysia, as Malaya. This style, later crystallized as the Nanyang Style, provided a foundation upon which future generations of artists learned and expanded on. A key element of the Nanyang Style was the synthesis of Chinese pictorial elements and the diverse formalistic qualities from the School of Paris. 'Untitled 7' is one of Cheong's final works before he passed away in 1983. This is a rare example of a late painting by the artist showing the importance of batik tradition as a visual source in his artistic practice � in this case, the emphasis on the process of batik. His interest in details is shown in the intricate batik motifs depicted, exemplary of his late stylistic shift towards thin but distinct line work using lighter hues. 'Untitled 7' is a revisitation of Cheong's portrayal of his Balinese experience in a fresh manner.