LOT 38
TAY MO LEONG, DATO
B. Penang, 1938
Two Balinese Ceremonial Dancers, 1970s
Signed “Tay Mo Leong” on lower right
Comes with certificate signed by the artist
Watercolour on paper
74.5 x 55.5 cm
Private Collection, Singapore
RM 7,000 – RM 12,000
Tay creates this arresting vision of two Legong Dancers, majestically clad in traditional outfits. It is a spectacle of gentle hues that is both charming and exquisite, engaging the viewer for long moments before they comprehend that this piece is an encapsulation of the charm of the rustics. Executed in the medium of watercolour, the artist cleverly combines the elements of space, form and colour to work magnetically with one another, as he captures a dancer holding a paper fan and while the other is gazing into the distance, portraying her side profile. The work is a demonstration of the artist’s adeptness in the delicate medium that is watercolour. It is certainly a poetic piece.