LOT 25
YONG CHENG WAH
B. Penang, 1943
Kedah Peak from Feringghi, Penang, 1970
Signed and dated “Yong Cheng Wah, 1970” on the lower right
Batik
58.5 x 87.5 cm
Private Collection, UK
RM 7,000 – RM 12,000
Yong Cheng Wah was a prominent figure in the Malaysian visual arts scene. He was the son of legendary artist, Yong Mun Sen. Other than hosting solo exhibits around the world, his works are collected by the National Art Gallery of Malaysia, Bank Negara, the French National bank, Paul Getty and Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. His success earned him a three-time feature on the Who’s Who in Art list and numerous prizes for art. In 1972, he started a joint venture with an American partner and founded the well-known Craft Batik in Malaysia. His early batik artworks along with oil and watercolour paintings are a testament to his extraordinary skills in manipulating the medium with his signature technique. His works are often a piece of his memory or knowledge of the local culture and secluded areas of his home country. He used the post expressionism style as shown in his use of bright colours with emotive charge much like the great Van Gogh.