LOT 22
CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO’
B. China, 1914 – 2008
Untitled
Signed “Teng” on lower right
Batik
89.5 x 60 cm
Private Collection, Canada
RM 15,000 – RM 28,000
Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng, known as the Father of Batik Art, was a master storyteller. His paintings offered not only a glimpse of the olden days, but also expressed the cultural identity of Malaysians. Complex batik making methods using wax and dyes allowed Teng to create hues that captured the serenity of village life in this radiant composition of the local landscape. This batik work is evident of Teng’s proclivity for illustrating scenes and antics such as durian harvesting and villagers carrying the bounty in a basket, on their head.