LOT 17
KWAN CHIN
B. Kuala Lumpur, 1946
A Rubber Tapping Family, 2012
Signed “Kwan Chin” on lower right
Batik
74.5 x 49 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 2,800 – RM 5,000
In this batik piece, Kwan Chin depicts a calm, peaceful atmosphere in the Malaysian suburbs, as a group of villagers gather to rest. Life in the countryside is definitely enviable, as it provides a certain serenity that the city does not have no matter where one turns to. Here, Kwan Chin captures it perfectly the tranquility and the closeness with nature.
Using complex and thorough detailing, and the strenuous task of producing batik from scratch, Kwan Chin is one of the few artists who still uses the batik medium in art.
Born in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur in 1946, Kwan Chin attended the Nanyang Academy of Fine Art in Singapore during which he learned how to use traditional art materials. Shortly thereafter, he delved into the world of advertising but once he was introduced to batik, it instantly changed his career path. His batik pieces are rich in colour and his work is known around the world, having been exhibited in London and Miami.