LOT 23
JIMMY ONG
B. Singapore, 1964
3 Header, 1994
Charcoal on paper
116.5 x 116.5 cm
Signed and dated “JIMMY ONG ‘94” on lower right, titled “3 Header” on lower left
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
RM 16,000 – 35,000
Born in Singapore in 1964, Jimmy Ong is one of Southeast Asia’s most accomplished contemporary artists, celebrated for his virtuosic charcoal drawings and sensitive observations of everyday life. A graduate of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Ong is renowned for his mastery of monochrome, using charcoal to create works of extraordinary tonal richness and emotional resonance. His drawings are held in numerous public and private collections across the region, reflecting his significant contribution to contemporary Asian art.
Executed in 1994, 3 Header is a compelling still life composition that showcases Ong’s remarkable draughtsmanship during a pivotal period in his artistic practice. Depicting three cabbage heads resting on a table, the work elevates an ordinary subject through expressive charcoal handling and masterful manipulation of light and shadow. Vigorous yet controlled strokes articulate the layered textures of the leaves, while subtle tonal transitions lend the vegetables a sculptural solidity and quiet monumentality.
More than a study of form, 3 Header reveals Ong’s ability to uncover beauty and dignity in the commonplace. The restrained monochromatic palette focuses attention on texture, composition and atmosphere, inviting viewers to appreciate the meditative qualities of the humble still life. Exemplifying the artist’s technical brilliance and keen observational eye, this work stands as an elegant testament to Jimmy Ong’s enduring mastery of charcoal as a medium of both precision and poetic expression.