Lot 23
CHOO KENG KWANG
B. Singapore, 1931 – 2019
Pigeons, 1983
Signed and dated “K.Kwang 83 on lower right
Oil on board
76 x 120 cm
Provenance Private Collection, Singapore
RM 25,000 – RM 50,000
Born in 1931 in Singapore, Choo Keng Kwang is one of the country’s renowned and beloved first-generation artists. His status as an icon led to his artworks being commissioned by royalty, dignitaries and governments. The Singapore government had commissioned his paintings as state gifts to foreign dignitaries, with his works presented to the late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and China’s chairman, Mao Tse-Tung.
The artist’s oil paintings are known to exude a sense of romanticism and beauty at first glance, with a strong nostalgic vitality that appeals to its viewers. His subjects of birds from the early 80’s are especially rare and very much sought after. Combining two different styles of Western impressionism and the rules of perspective with traditional Chinese brushwork, this painting is bathed in soothing colours to amplify the beautiful harmony in nature. Depicted here are uncommonly sighted birds perched silently on branches to create an idyllic setting.