Cheong Soo Pieng: 11 works

'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.'

'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.'

'Untitled (Portrait of a Young Man)" is a figurative study where Cheong distorts the essence of a person, which is reminiscent of Picasso"s distortion of faces. This caricature-like sketch, a recurring study of Cheong's rhythmical and fluid lines, attributes to his trademark figures of elongated limbs -- reflected in a series of the most compelling paintings produced in the late 70s to early 80s.'

'A multi-faceted artist, Cheong was one of the most experimental artists in the early art scene of Singapore. In the 1960s, Cheong explored new effects with oil and 'Scene' is an example.'

'In this case, Cheong who was both a painter and a sculptor rendered the image by hammering halfway into the metal or board into different reliefs that simulate foliage or grass prior to the layers of oil.'

'Noted by scholars, the distinctive elongated limbs are inspired from Cheong"s interest in wayang kulit puppets and Javanese dancers.'

'Life in Longhouse' is one of Cheong's final works as he passed away in 1983.'

'By the late 1970s, Cheong had developed his distinctive representation of the human figure which is elegant, with elongated limbs; it is represented in 'Landscape'. A stylistic trait in Cheong's oeuvre, --the compositional grouping of the subject matter near the centre of the work --is seen here.'

'He had by this time developed his unique stylization of elegant elongated figures with almond shaped eyes.'

'The Kayan people, an indigenous tribe in Borneo are featured in several of Cheong's paintings after he made a trip and spent time with them in 1959.'

'Cheong was a multi-faceted artist, he experimented with Western art styles and was known to have progressed through several phases in a short span of time: from Post-Impressionism to Cubism to abstraction and semi-abstraction. Although undated, "Fishing Village" may have been completed during the 1950s when Cheong was experimenting with oil in impasto effects and Cubism.'