LOT 26
CHUAH THEAN TENG, DATO’
B. China, 1914 – 2008
Mother and Children, 1983
Signed “Teng” lower right
Batik
63 x 48 cm
Private Collection, USA
RM 22,000 – RM 55,000
Teng, as he was popularly known, was born in China in 1914, where he studied at the Amoy Art School. Although batik painting has been around for hundreds of years, it is remarkable that no one before Teng had ever thought of adapting this age-old craft as a medium of fine art. Teng first started this medium in 1953 and therefore can be regarded as the Father of Batik Painting in Malaysia. According to Frank Sullivan, “His productivity in batik painting is enormous… never satisfied, he is always experimenting, seeking to give new depth and range to his batik art.” Teng received international fame in 1968 when his painting entitled ‘Two of a kind’ was selected by UNICEF for its greeting cards selections. Twenty years later, his painting ‘Tell you a secret’ was again selected by UNICEF. Teng’s various batik portrayal of Mother and Children are always heart-warming and tugs at one’s heartstrings.