LOT 57
TAN CHOON GHEE
B. Penang, 1930 – 2010
Kampong Scene, 1962
Chinese Ink on paper
58 x 33 cm
Signed and dated “Tan 1962” on lower right
PROVENANCE
Gallery label on verso with description and date of artwork
Private Collection, Singapore
RM 3,500 – 7,000
By infusing the Chinese classical paintings’ calligraphic brushstrokes and the British watercolour approach, Tan Choon Ghee creates pieces that are ethereal, desirable and unmitigated in its exquisiteness. With gentle brushstrokes and the way the ink blends into the white background gives it that faint, misty glow that provides his pieces with an air of nostalgia. This composition captures wooden houses on stilts nestled amid naturalsurroundings, drawn with lively yet fluid lines that suggest both movement and tranquillity. This early work not only reflects Tan’s technical masteryof ink but also reveals his deep sensitivity toward Malaysia’s cultural landscapes, portraying the kampung as a timeless emblem of community andtradition. Tan Choon Ghee was considered one of the most established Malaysian artists. He obtained his training in art from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore in 1951, before continuing his studies at the Slade School of Art in the United Kingdom in 1958, where he was awarded scholarships from the West Germany Government and Australian Broadcasting Commission.