LOT 19
CHOO KENG KWANG
B. Singapore, 1931
Doves I, 1987
Signed and dated on lower right
Oil on board
82 x 122 cm
Provenance Private Collection, USA
Illustrated in the soon to be published “777, Celebrating 7 Illustrious Years at KLAS” coffee table book published by KLAS in February 2019.
Also Illustrated on page 35 of The Selected Works by Choo Keng Kwang book published by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in October 2002
RM 38,000 – RM 60,000
Choo Keng Kwang’s subjects of birds from the early 80’s are extremely rare and very much sought after. Rarer are ones painted on masonite board executed alongside his mentor, Lee Man Fong. Bathed in soothing colours to amplify the beautiful harmony in nature, depicted here are uncommonly sighted birds, the doves. This idyllic painting depicts these beautiful birds – five of them perched silently on branches or the nest. Choo Keng Kwang was the only son of a Teochew diamond trader. He was heavily criticised for his decision to enrol in art classes but it paid off, as he graduated with two certificates, one from Catholic High School and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. He then became a teacher and was made the principal of Sin Hua School. His paintings were presented to the late Egyptian president Sadat and China’s Chairman Mao Tse-Tung and have also adorned the late President Ong Teng Cheong’s official residence at Kheam Hock Road. Choo has held and participated in numerous solo and group art exhibitions in Singapore and abroad. His works have toured Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe and US. For instance, in November 1990, he became the first Singaporean artist to participate in a cultural exchange exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia. In July 1993, he was invited to exhibit his paintings in Brunei to commemorate Sultan of Brunei’s 47th birthday. Choo is also a philanthropist, involving himself in community and charity work by donating the proceedings of his paintings to hospital and communities.