LOT 14
HO KHAY BENG
B. Penang, 1933-1986
The Break of Dawn 1979
Signed and dated “Beng 70” on lower right
Oil on canvas
50 x 39.5 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 4,800 – RM 8,000
One can almost feel the breeze and the gentle wave of the waters as it hits the boats. The multi-layered colour and texture brings out the movement in this painting, which Ho Khay Beng managed to breathe life into. Known for his simplicity in landscapes and signature style of layering and texturing, this piece is full of character.
Ho Khay Beng was born in 1933. He graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore in 1959 and went on study art at Rome Academy of Fine Arts, Italy, in 1968. He held one-man shows at Chin Kang Association, Penang (1965), Galleria Guilla Flavia, Rome (1966), Galleria Michelangelo, Rome (1967) and Galleria D’arte I Volshi, Rome (1967).
He participated in the Singapore Local Artists Exhibitions and Nanyang Academy 20th Anniversary Exhibitions (1957-1958). He took part in the Penang Art Society annual exhibitions (1959-1984), National Art Gallery annual invitational exhibitions (1959-1965). In 1962, he was on the Malaysian Art Exhibition touring India. He was invited to Roman Art Gallery’s invitation exhibition in 1967. Other than Malaysia, his works had been exhibited in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, India, Spain, Switzerland, France, Italy and United States.
Between 1965 to 1968, Khay Beng was awarded six gold and silver medals at National and International Art competitions in Italy. In 1968, he was honoured with the ‘outstanding young man’ award, Formosa. He was the Vice-President of the Penang Art Society between 1970 and 1975 and member of the Nanyang Academy Association of Malaysia and the Nanyang Academy Alumni Association of Singapore.