LOT 26
YONG MUN SEN
B. Sarawak, 1896 – 1962
Malayan Kampung, Penang, 1946
Signed “Mun Sen” and dated “1946” on mid left
Watercolour on paper
28 x 38 cm
Provenance Private Collection, UK
Comes with label on verso indicating the artwork was acquired from Mun Sen Art Studio on Penang Road in early 1946
RM 6,000 – RM 12,000
The late Yong Mun Sen, born on Jan 10, 1896 was one of Malaysia’s pioneer artists. The country’s art scene wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for his contributions. One day, Mun Sen witnessed a Japanese artist painting using watercolours and thenceforth, he became enamoured with that medium. In 1914, Mun Sen went back to China and painted majestic pictures of lions and tigers which were much loved by the warlords of the time. After the passing of his wife in 1941, he did frolic into oil and Chinese traditional brush painting with success, eventually he steered back to the watercolour medium, in which he excelled. One can observe that his works assimilated the Chinese artistic spirit. It is also evident in his landscape paintings that Mun Sen did not depict the details that made up a landscape, rather, through watercolour, he illustrated fluidity and a carefree rhythm, evident in this work.