LOT 23
CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO’
B. China, 1914 – 2008
Mother and Child
Signed “Teng” on lower right
Batik
55 x 43.8 cm
Private Collection, United Kingdom
RM 35,000 – RM 70,000
Themes on physical labour and mother and child are often seen in Teng’s vast output. Here, the artist’s hallmark imagery of the Mother and Child departs from is usual depiction of women and children set within the rural Malaysian village scenes, the figures in this scene are at the foreground of the artwork, with a plain crackling background. Teng’s mother and child series illustrates his profound respect for the nurturing and even life-giving roles that women play. The artist’s early training in Chinese painting served him well technically and also influenced his compositions, and the colours he used. As Chinese philosophy emphasises balance, many of his works also are balanced in nature, or are circular compositions, promoting balance and equilibrium.